Southampton 0-0 Burnley: Player ratings – 12/08/18
By Chris Hughes
Goalkeepers and Defenders
Alex McCarthy – Goalkeeper – 9
Fans were unsure whether Mark Hughes would stick with the man who kept Southampton up, or draft in £13.5 million man Angus Gunn for yesterday’s match – he ultimately picked the former.
McCarthy was impressive for the duration and made a total of six saves, and was without a doubt the game’s Man of the Match. When the Saints were up against it, he kept them in the game.
Welsey Hoedt – Left-centre-back – 7
The Dutchman has come in for some criticism this calendar year, and I was even behind the idea of dropping him in favour of playing Bertrand as LCB, with Targett out wide. However, Hoedt played well yesterday. He made five clearances, two tackles and completed around 40 passes.
Jannik Vestergaard – Centre-back – 8.5
Vestergaard was the only of the Saints’ five new-boys to play the duration of the yesterday’s game, and he thrived as the middle defender with Hoedt and Stephens either side.
He won seven aerial duels and made 12 clearances, showing that his lack of natural pace is no real issue. His ability in the air is something we have sorely missed since Virgil van Dijk’s prime on the south coast.
Jack Stephens – Right-centre-back – 7
Stephens got the nod ahead of Yoshida or Bednarek to play on the right side of the back-three, and his performance warranted his spot in the starting XI by Mark Hughes.
In the second half, he moved to play as the side’s right-back as they switched to a 4-4-2, and he showed his versatility with an accomplished second-half there.