Manager, Goalkeeper and Defenders
Manager-Ralph Hasenhüttl- 8
It was another good performance from the gaffer, who once again set his team up well. The side look good going forward and were for the most part defensively confident. It was a little surprising to see Yan Valery benched though.
James Ward-Prowse did the job at the wing back position, but arguably this isn’t his best spot. Nevertheless, the overall tactical set up brought a good performance out of the Saints.
The gaffer’s backline looked confident, ready and willing to get into a scrap when required. The side no longer looks quite as fragile as it once did in its own third.
However, the back three began to struggle as Burnley started pumping the ball into the box. This yielded a few quality opportunities for the hosts., Which they really should have taken.
Goalkeeper- Alex McCarthy- 8
They say it’s all legal until you get caught, and McCarthy didn’t get caught.
The keeper rushes out to take the ball from the oncoming striker, only to miss. McCarthy at full stretch catches Ashley Barnes.
The felled player awaits the inevitable decision, but it doesn’t come.
Instead an irate Barnes, receives a yellow card for diving or dissent. It wasn’t clear why the striker ended up in the book, but his disgust was plain for all to see. Even a Premier League official.
The number one, also made several excellent saves throughout the match, including one from point-blank range.
Centre Back-Jan Bednarek- 8
The Polish international put in another strong shift and performed his part in battening down the hatches. Bednarek also supplied a nice ball through to the alert Nathan Redmond. The attacker found the space, did the business, and promptly found the net.
Centre Back- Jack Stephens- 7
It’s a mixed day for Jack Stephens. On the one hand the CB cleared one off the line and played his part in a strong defence. On the other, he gave away a rather silly penalty.
With just seconds remaining Stephens, jumps to head the ball away. The only problem is that the Englishman has his hand at head height. The ball hits his face and then ricochets to the hand.
The most generous interpretation is that Jack simply had his hand up to gain leverage, but even the kindest observer would have to ask why his hand was quite so high?
Centre Back- Jannik Vestergaard- 8
In one of his best moments Vestergaard scrapped for all he was worth to stop what would have been a certain goal. After a corner ball drops to a Burnley attacker just yards out, the Dane quells the shoot with pinpoint slide.
The object of the game may be to score goals, but defensive commitment goes a long way with the fans to.
Left Wing Back- Matt Targett- 7
Targett had a decent game and put one or two decent balls into the box.
Right Wing Back James Ward-Prowse- 7.5
Playing the role of the Wing Back, Prowse wasn’t as effective as he has been in recent weeks, but he still played his part. Just as Vestergaard put a crucial block in during the aforementioned corner, JWP also put himself about.
After the defender makes the first block the ball once again drops to a Bees man’. This time it’s the former youth product who scraps away to prevent the goal.
Prowse was one of two or three players putting themselves on the line to save the day. This newfound defensive stubbornness is a big reason as to why the Saints should stay up.