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Bournemouth vs. Southampton: Opposition threat – 20/10/18

By Harry Tizard

WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Andrew Surman of AFC Bournemouth claps during the Premier League match between Watford FC and AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road on October 6, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Andrew Surman of AFC Bournemouth claps during the Premier League match between Watford FC and AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road on October 6, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /
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WATFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road on October 6, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Callum Wilson of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and AFC Bournemouth at Vicarage Road on October 6, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

Callum Wilson 

26-year-old forward Callum Wilson is the first man that Saints fans should be worried about.  Since signing for the club in 2014, Wilson has battled serious injury after serious injury but still has not let his ability drop. In five seasons with the Cherries, the former Coventry man has scored on 42 occasions (20 of which have come in the premier league).

Looking at his premier league numbers this season, Wilson has found the net on three occasions. Although Wilson is not know for his versatility across the front line, only playing as the central figure with Josh King in Bournemouth’s usual two striker formation, its the range of goals that he scores that will put the Southampton defence under serious pressure.

Callum Wilson’s pace when on the ball does not only push the defence back, but his ability to drive with the ball and take on his man gives him the chance to get into shooting positions and test the goalkeeper. To those who have not seen his goal at the London stadium this season, it is reminiscent of the Sofiane Boufal wonder goal against West Bromwich Albion last season, where he takes on four of five defenders before ending with a composed finish.

Being a pacey striker is not the only weapon in his armoury. His fox in the box mentality allows him to get into the right place at the right time by making the right runs and knowing where the ball is going to bounce. Showing that he has both the mental and physical attributes to hurt a team.

By having both these attributes, it is likely that he will be a nightmare for the Saints defence. Although its unknown what Mark Hughes will play in the upcoming match, its entirely possible that the centre back partnership of Wesley Hoedt and Jannik Vestergaard will emerge. If so, Southampton could be in real trouble. Hoedt and Vestergaard are known for being a slow paring who make rash challenges and have been known to ball watch. As a result, not only could Callum Wilson be able to dart past predictable challenges, but will have the freedom to make runs in and around the 18-yard box with little to no challenge and get himself in the dangerous shooting areas.

The former Kettering Town-loanee  has also set up four goals this season, the equal highest amount of assists in this Premier League season.