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

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) /

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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) /

The positive team selection

Whilst it seems like every takeaway this week has surrounded Mark Hughes’ tactics, there were so many points regarding the Welshman’s set-up.

From the off the Saints fans were excited as the ex-Stoke manager name an attacking starting XI, with Hojbjerg, Lemina and Boufal and Tadic playing in a flat midfield. At times, Pellegrino had put out a five-man midfield with no natural winger or pacey player in sight.

Whilst Wigan had a dominant spell at the start of the game Southampton fully found their stride towards the end of the first half and were in full swing which was refreshing and frankly rare to see this season.

Hopefully Hughes will continue to set this Southampton side up in a positive way which will allow the team to get some much-needed points in the league.