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Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Three match takeaways – 28/08/18

By Chris Hughes

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Maya Yoshida of Southanpton looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton at American Express Community Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Maya Yoshida of Southanpton looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton at American Express Community Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton at American Express Community Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Charlie Austin of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton at American Express Community Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /

Two-up top does seem effective

The debate between whether Southampton should play 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 is one that divides the fanbase. Many supporters have called for the club to play two forwards in order to offer more in the final third, as the lack of creativity last season often left the solo striker isolated and without support.

This was the case again yesterday when Hughes started Gabbiadini with Armstrong, Elyounoussi and James Ward-Prowse behind him – the game was totally changed when Romeu made way for the aforementioned Gallagher 70 minutes in.

Although Gallagher didn’t score or provide the eventual assist, his physical presence next to the sharper Gabbiadini and then the poacher in Charlie Austin offered the Saints a focal point to work off of. It seems baffling the club still haven’t signed a player of Premier League quality with this kind of play-style in the two years since Graziano Pelle left.

Nonetheless the two-man strikeforce eventually broke the Seagulls down as Austin nodded in his first of the campaign, and there’s no denying they were more threatening with a duo up top.

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