Pre-season recap: Southampton 3-2 Jiangsu Suning
By Chris Hughes
Southampton today got their first win of pre-season, claiming a 3-2 victory over CSL side Jiangsu Suning to conclude their tour of China.
Four of the goals came in the first-half alone, with Nathan Redmond’s second goal in as many games the pick of the bunch whilst Manolo Gabbiadini scored the game’s opener.
The match comes a week after the Saints drew 3-3 with German side Schalke as the first part of their Asian tour. This does raise some questions regarding Southampton’s defending, but we must remember that the best thing at this point is to get the player’s sharp ahead of a vital 2018/19 Premier League campaign.
However it was good to see some players enjoy good games, as Stuart Armstrong once again impressed whilst Fraser Forster made a good save in the second 45.
However Wesley Hoedt once again came in for criticism for some poor defending, whilst James Ward-Prowse struggled to adapt to the right-wing-back role he occupied with Cedric still away on holiday.
Next: Saints closing in on Angus Gunn
It took 26 minutes for the game to get it’s first goal, as aforementioned it was starting striker Manolo Gabbiadini who scored – Armstrong played a delightful ball in off his left foot which found the Italian, who smartly headed home.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
However Zhang Lingfeng leveled the scoring just minutes later, after the Southampton back-line failed to track his run allowing him to slot it low past Alex McCarthy.
Some more suspect defending from the away side allowed the Chinese team to take the lead, when a deep free-kick eventually found striker Richmond Boakye who slotted home calmly.
Redmond then scored a really smart finish to take his tally to two from two for pre-season, as a cleared corner saw Redmond with a clear shot at goal from the edge of the box – he finished emphatically.
The second half had much less action outside of Forster’s save, before Sam Gallagher and Steven Davis linked up nicely to allow the former clean through – his right-footed effort went past the goalkeeper to see the Saints lead for the remaining 15 minutes or so.
Between now and the new season the Saints still have to travel to Derby, before facing off against both Celta Vigo and Borussia Monchengladbach at St. Mary’s.