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Southampton 0-0 Newcastle: Three key players – 27/10/18

By Erik Franzo

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Nathan Redmond of Southampton is challenged by Federico Fernandez of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Nathan Redmond of Southampton is challenged by Federico Fernandez of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Danny Ings 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: Danny Ings 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) /

Danny Ings

Danny Ings failed to hit the back of the net, but was still a major contributor in the overall Saints’ success against Newcastle.

It is possible Ings tried to do too much for his side that is struggling to score goals, as he routinely picked up the ball outside of a typical #9’s role.  Positioned alongside Southampton’s literal #10, Charlie Austin, maybe Hughes asked him to get more touches on the ball in an effort to move the attack forward.

Regardless of the speculation, Ings was clearly a focal point of what Southampton and manager Mark Hughes want to do.  He had a few opportunities to set up goal scoring chances for his teammates, and just missed on passes, most notably slowing down Nathan Redmond running at the goal with pace.  The result was Redmond striking over the bar from about 18 yards out.

Danny Ings is still Southampton’s leading goal scorer, and the guy fans trust the most.  He has some pace, flashes creativity, and is driven to score, but maybe just lacks the partnership around him to really take off.  Austin was relatively ineffective, Manolo Gabbiadini flubbed a couple chances to test the keeper, and Shane Long missed the best opportunity to take all three points.

So even as good as Ings has been, Hughes needs to find someone who can create the opportunities for him fast.  Or else the team will lose the confidence of the only Southampton striker still possessing any after the first ten games.