Saints Marching
Fansided

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Southampton (FA Cup): Three Key Players

By Jack Deery

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mark Hughes manager of Southampton celebrates with Cedric Soares and Oriol Romeu after victory in The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mark Hughes manager of Southampton celebrates with Cedric Soares and Oriol Romeu after victory in The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City during the The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Mark Hughes, Manager of Stoke City during the The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Coventry City and Stoke City at Ricoh Arena on January 6, 2018 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Mark Hughes

From a neutral’s point of view, this must seem ridiculous. A 2-0 win against a side that is two divisions and below and we’re acting as if Hughes has masterminded a 5-0 win over Man City. However, the way in which we won the game yesterday was unlike anything we’ve seen from Southampton this season.

This was evidently a massive game for Wigan, whose incredible run deservedly earned them the plaudits they were getting. In the first half you could tell they really wanted it, Southampton were under pressure and clearly very nervous and put in a very average first half display.

However, the way in which the players came out in the second half was very different to performances under Pellegrino. A lot of fans felt that all the players needed was a bit of a kick up the backside to give them that little bit more determination and fight. They certainly had that in the second half.

Playing some excellent football with no isolated strikers and the freedom to attack in numbers is what eventually gave Saints the victory.

There’s still a long way to go in the season, and Hughes has a lot to do to keep us in the Premier League but the way he has changed the mood around the club with a little bit of passion and positive energy has given the fans hope once again.

Honourable mentions go to Cedric Soares for his first ever Southampton goal, Jack Stephens anmd Wesley Hoedt.