Two forwards needed to take advantage of crosses
In a season where Southampton’s play style has been somewhat confusing for fans to figure out, one thing is for sure; the players like their crosses.
According to premierleague.com, Saints have produced the second-most crosses in the Premier League season with 641. This is a figure topped only by Spurs, who have produced 651 so far.
To take full advantage of this high number of balls into the box, surely two strikers have to be on the pitch and in the penalty area. The importance of this was highlighted in the Saints equalising goal at Burnley, where Guido Carrillo knocked the ball down for Manolo Gabbiadini to finish.
Carrillo himself has won an average of 6.4 aerials duels per game according to whoscored.com, which is the highest average of any Saints players this season. However, he clearly needs someone like Gabbiadini to work with alongside him or behind him for the team to reap the rewards.