With Southampton five games down, four points gained, passage to the third round of the League Cup Confirmed and the first month in the books, it’s safe to say the Saints probably aren’t going to be winning the league this year.
hat revelation aside, we can examine some of the other takeaways from the opening salvo in the 2018/2019 season.
A Work in Progress
Cup runs aside, the previous two seasons have been a snooze-inducing bore. Whether it was Claude Puel’s dull, conservative approach or Mauricio Pellegrino’s inept slide toward relegation, the team had taken several giant steps backwards.
Mark Hughes’ eight-game rescue act has certainly signalled a turning of the tide.
Attacking endeavour has gone from slow and ponderous to increasingly direct, the tactical approach has evolved from a panicked score-induced roll of the dice, too an impactful formation and personnel shifts. And, perhaps most importantly morale appears to have increased tenfold, with a new perspective and vigour.
Although Southampton’s opening ties have certainly boasted these improvements, they have also exposed continued frailties.
The most alarming of these shortcomings is the team’s defensive fragility. The Premier League fixtures have seen the likes of Cedric beaten in the air at crucial times, (Leicester) the defence parting wider than a drawbridge (Brighton) and dropping points from a winning position (Leicester).
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On the face of it, the Cedric issue appears to be the simplest one to fix.
As last season definitively proved, short right-back, add big attacker, equals goals conceded. Particularly when your diminutive full-back is left to mark the post.
The easiest option would be for the team to become well drilled in the current system and cut down on mistakes leading to Cedric’s exposure to tall strikers.
Admittedly, this is been easier said than done up to this point, but with the height of Jannik Vestergaard now an option thing should improve significantly.
Alternatively, management could take the decision to switch to a formation with a third centre back, with the full-backs becoming wing-backs in front.
This would not be ideal, given that the team would have to sacrifice a strong midfield asset or operate with a single striker. On the plus side though, with the extra CB experience of Maya Yoshida, things would certainly look a bit more solid.
The Japanese international had a respectable World Cup and his sparse inclusion in the Saints’ first XI has been a bit of a surprise. As for the latter two headaches, with luck they should correct themselves with a lot of good coaching and time.
Last term saw the Saints lose from leading positions with alarming frequency as they desperately sought to hold what they had rather than kill the game.
August’s fare has seen Mark Hughes’, men blow the lead, (Leicester) make a pathetic attempt to cheat, (Pierre-Emile Højbjerg) and defending in such a way so as to take off about ten years from every fans life expectancy (Brighton and Crystal Palace).
The opening fixtures have highlighted the squad’s continual inability to consistently game manage and overcome mental hurdles.
Despite, a problematic passed, Sparky’s survival charge proved that when push comes to shove the team have the metal to come through the fire. Passing the difficult test against the Eagles will only continue to build confidence.
In short, Southamptom must remember that winning feeling.
With every challenge surpassed and further weeks on the training ground, mental resilience, confidence, and side cohesion is rebuilt. The gaffer has already shown himself to be an astute tactician, and in time he can further in print his style and shore the side up.
Just don’t expect us to be confused with Juventus anytime soon.
When Quantity Replaces Quality it’s not Always a Bad Thing.
It’s safe to say saints have been blessed, over recent years with some sensational talent. Sadio Mané, Virgil van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld, Luke Shaw, and Dušan Tadić have all graced St. Mary’s with their presence.
Obviously, quality like that is hard to find on a consistent basis, especially when the club is on a stringent budget. Despite, financial constraints the board has done some solid business.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, looks to attack the game aggressively with an eye for a cross, Stuart Armstrong will fit in nicely to the Stephen Davis meld, and with his height Jannik Vestergaard covers up a big weakness at the heart of the shaky backline.
All have made respectable starts, but it is without a doubt fellow new boy Danny Ings who takes freshman of the month. The Liverpool-loanee has caused problems for opposition with, pace, good positional awareness, and a sharp eye for goal (Everton and Crystal Palace). The man from Winchester also complements his fellow strikers, working off of and exploiting the fruits of their labour (Burnley).
There may not be a superstar name on the team sheet these days, but strength in depth brings with it options to suit the occasion and refreshed competition for places.
Nathan Redmond on the Path to Southampton Redemption
It’s safe to say that 2017/18 was not kind to Nathan Redmond. The attacker struggle to make decisions, was too tentative on the ball and got a lot of grief from the faithful.
Time off and a good training regime appears to have produced a new man. The 24-year-old is now able to drive at defenders, (Everton) makes game-winning choices, (Brighton) and overall looks strong enough to face a gruelling campaign.
If this month is anything to go by, Nathan will comfortably be the outfit’s most improved member.
Predictions Time
If you’ve been a Southampton fan for more than five minutes, then you know that a Saints season is seldom a straightforward one. Key players get injured, the goals dry up at the most inconvenient times, and easy games on paper become painful slogs. All of this has happened before, and let’s be honest most of it will happen again.
Given his plagued history, Austin will likely get injured at some point, the team have already conceded a silly goal or two, and there will be times when a trip to St Mary’s will make you wonder if doing the laundry at home would’ve been a more fulfilling experience.
Nevertheless, that’s no reason not to be optimistic, given a solidly determined squad and a streetwise manager.
Yes, events on the pitch will look scarier than the exorcist at times, but defensive mishaps will improve and the addition of an extra goal-scorer up front should minimize the dry spell. Heck, you know life’s good when the classy Manolo Gabbiadini is your fourth choice striker.
Despite, a slow start, there’s no reason not to expect an enjoyable top half finish with a cup run thrown in for good measure.
If we’re really lucky we might even beat Everton at Goodison Park, but let’s not get carried away.