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Southampton: Bertrand comments on the Saints’ lack of goals

By Chris Hughes

WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Ryan Bertrand of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Southampton captain Ryan Bertrand has this week been speaking to Sky Sports regarding his side’s lack of goals.

This comes as the left-back is one of just three Saints players to have scored in the league through the first nine games of the season, with Danny Ings and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg contributing to the other five they have scored.

But Bertrand – who is acting as captain with Steven Davis having fallen down the pecking order – believes that the lack of scoring is a team responsibility, and that the rest of the starting XI must do better to provide the attackers.

"“It’s a real team game. It’s important for the strikers to score but to also get the right service, so i.e the wingers, full-backs or midfielders need to be getting in better positions to provide opportunities.”"

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: David Brooks of AFC Bournemouth is challenged by Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: David Brooks of AFC Bournemouth is challenged by Ryan Bertrand of Southampton during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Southampton now haven’t scored in four league games and are only 16th because of the teetering form of the sides beneath them. This weekend they face one of those teams in 20th-place Newcastle.

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There’s no denying that even at this point in the season the points could be absolutely vital, especially as if the Magpies get all three it would totally change the dynamic at the foot of the table.

But after keeping a clean sheet against a free-scoring Bournemouth this weekend, Bertrand went on to say that he believed the Saints have sorted out their defensive woes, after a couple of weeks of hard work.

There’s no denying that Mark Hughes’ side weren’t a lot more resolute on Saturday, as despite a couple of shaky moments, the hosts barely challenged Alex McCarthy all afternoon.

However the Saints desperately need to amend their goal-scoring woes and if the work they’ve done defensively can be sustained then there’s no reason why they can’t resolve the issues at the other side of the pitch as well.

Danny Ings is the only Southampton forward with a league goal this season which after nine matches is inexcusable. They need to start firing in more often and more consistently or Hughes must genuinely consider shipping some of them off and bringing in fresh talent in January.

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