There should be a place for Josh Sims in this squad
When Josh Sims is mentioned to Saints fans, many immediately associate his name with the memory of his glorious counter attacking run at Anfield, which culminated in his beautifully weighted ball to Shane Long who in turn sealed the League Cup semi final tie in 2017. Since then, the academy product has faded off the radar of successive Southampton managers, a point evidenced by his recent, rather underwhelming loan to Reading.
Yet Sims at his best can be a real asset to any team, with his brand of direct running at defenders and trickery hard to play against. His 2nd half performance was superb and caused Tottenham issues on either side with fluid build up play and constant pressing. There is no doubting the talent there but the key question will be whether Hasenhuttl can give the 21 year old the same confidence and purpose that his fellow academy graduate Ward-Prowse has been afforded.
Despite taking a knock from the high boot of Jan Vertonghen, the young winger continued to trouble the fullbacks with his mazy running and was arguably Southampton’s man of the match, despite only being brought on at half time. Watch this space over the remainder of the season…