Southampton: Saints Marching’s weekly poll – edition 7

Saints Marching’s weekly fan poll series analyses a topical subject based on something Southampton-related from the past seven days.

With Mauricio Pellegrino’s press conference only a few hours away, Southampton supporters are still sweating over the fitness of Ryan Bertrand, having signaled a potential hamstring injury at the end of the loss to Chelsea.

The Saints are already without Cedric Soares for the next couple of games but their life will be made even harder if Bertrand is absent – the England international remains the Saints’ only ever-present outfield player this season.

However, with tougher games to come between now and new year it seems more likely that the Saints will rest Bertrand if anything, posing the question as to who will replace him. Sam McQueen deputised during the 2-0 loss to Wolves in the Carabao Cup – but that game saw the Saints play a less-familiar 3-5-2.

Matt Targett is yet to feature in all competitions but he has just as big a shout at getting the nod. He’ll need to make the most of any minutes he can get.

However, according to those who voted – McQueen should get the nod over Targett, with 55 percent of all votes going to the attack-minded full-back.

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The youngster is naturally a wide-midfielder but has honed his skills as a full-back after spells there under Claude Puel, and he could potentially be better suited to Pellegrino’s style of play too.

There is a lot of emphasis on the runs of the wing-backs and McQueen is much better going forward than Targett, something which comes from naturally playing further up the pitch.

But on the other hand the defensive security that Targett would potentially provide has it’s own incentive, with Huddersfield’s wingers also imperative to their play going forward.

Related Story: Saints 0-1 Chelsea: Match takeaways

Whatever happens Bertrand will be a massive miss if he is deemed unfit by Pellegrino at his presser later today. Whether’s he looked interested or not, Bertrand has been one of the most consistent Southampton players this season, in what has been a stuttering first half of the campaign.

Pellegrino’s will know how important a win this weekend could be – Spurs and Manchester United follow before the turn of the year meaning a loss against the Terriers could leave him fighting for his job.