Saints Marching
Fansided

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Southampton (FA Cup): Three match takeaways

By Chris Hughes

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton (23) celebrates as he scores their first goal during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton (23) celebrates as he scores their first goal during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
WIGAN, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton misses a penalty as it is saved by Christian Walton of Wigan Athletic (not pictured) during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND – MARCH 18: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton misses a penalty as it is saved by Christian Walton of Wigan Athletic (not pictured) during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Wigan Athletic and Southampton at DW Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Two up front!

For months Southampton fans have called for Mauricio Pellegrino to deploy two strikers having (correctly) predicted that Manolo Gabbiadini had the potential to play up top and alongside either Charlie Austin or Guido Carrillo. However, the ex-Saints boss was never bold enough to try it.

At the first attempt however Hughes played the two forwards up-front alongside each other and once the Saints got into their groove, they flourished.

Gabbiadini may of missed his penalty and Carrillo may of gone another game without scoring for the away side, but that doesn’t mean the Saints we’re effective or positive – in fact they were both.

Granted, Southampton were facing a League One side, but Wigan have been impressive this campaign so we should hope to see Pellegrino play two up top when we face West Ham in just under a fortnight.