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Pre-season analysis: Southampton 0-3 Derby County

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Charlie Austin of Southampton reacts at the full time whistle as his team avoid the relegation the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Charlie Austin of Southampton reacts at the full time whistle as his team avoid the relegation the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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KUNSHAN, CHINA – JULY 05: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton FC looks on during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
KUNSHAN, CHINA – JULY 05: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton FC looks on during the 2018 Clubs Super Cup match between Schalke and Southampton at Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on July 5, 2018 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Provinceon, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /

Why is Hughes persisting with JWP at right-wing-back?

With Cedric Soares still away on holiday following his commitments with Portugal in the World Cup, Southampton have had to rotate at right-wing-back whilst still playing 3-4-2-1, with no natural back-up in the senior squad following Jeremy Pied’s release at the start of summer.

Currently, Mark Hughes has been pursuing with Ward-Prowse as right-wing-back, most probably because the loyal Englishman is more likely to get game-time there than as an inside-forward or in central-midfield.

Either way, despite his discipline and willingness, JWP really isn’t suited to the position, as he simply doesn’t have the defensive capabilities in him at the moment. Granted, he could adapt, but we’re nearly a month in pre-season without much obvious improvement.

Yan Valery or Harrison Reed have both shown an ability to play well as a right-wing-back, whilst Jack Stephens played well as a right-back when the Saints switched a four-man defence for the second 45.

I’m a massive fan of Ward-Prowse and hope he has a role to play this season, but for now, it doesn’t appear that that’ll be as a wing-back.