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Southampton 2(3)-(5)2 Derby County: Three Key Players

By Ryan Borowski

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Nathan Redmond of Southampton walks back to the team after missing his penalty in the shoot out during the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Southampton FC and Derby County at St Mary's Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Nathan Redmond of Southampton walks back to the team after missing his penalty in the shoot out during the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Southampton FC and Derby County at St Mary's Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Another cup match sees Southampton, the Premier League side, blow a 2-0 lead by conceding two goals to the Championship side in quick succession.

A disappointing cup exact to a lower league side has left the Saints and their fans with more questions than answers. Clearly, the defensive woes have not been totally cured and there is a serious lack of depth outside of the first team.

Players who have not had much playing time in the league have been given chances to prove themselves in the Cup and just haven’t done so. They look to lack some mental fortitude and it has resulted in another disappointment. The good news however is, Hasenhuttl has his squad set for the League and has shown he ca get results with them, it just looks like there will not be any  new faces that will be breaking through the ranks anytime soon.

Here are the key players for the Saints in their penalty lose to Derby.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Nathan Redmond of Southampton misses the goal during a penalty shoot out in the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Southampton FC and Derby County at St Mary’s Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Nathan Redmond of Southampton misses the goal during a penalty shoot out in the FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Southampton FC and Derby County at St Mary’s Stadium on January 16, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Next. Southampton 2-2 Derby (3-5 pens): FA Cup – Player Ratings. dark

Stuart Armstrong

The Scot collected another goal to add to his tally for the season. Since getting the chance to start, he has proven time and time again he deserves to be in the starting lineup for Saints in the League. He played all 90 minutes of regular time, he had 62 touches and completed 28 passes proving he is a pivotal part of the Saints attack.

It will be fun to watch him continue his development and he could be a mainstay in the Saints starting XI for a long time to come.

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Nathan Redmond

Redmond continues his great season and this time it comes in the form of a sub appearance in the second half of the match. He came on and immediately had an impact. He scored a goal with a sublime finish and finished the match with 21 passes and 36 touches.

He proves time and time again that he is our best player and despite missing his penalty he is invaluable to this team and we need him

James Ward-Prowse

Hasenhuttl has done wonders for the kid’s career. He challenged him to be better and be more aggressive and JWP has stepped up to the task. During a day that many of his teammates were not impressive, the young Englishman was a source of consistency and looks like he will be a fixture in the squad for the rest of the season and will help us survive into the next season.