An exciting match for Southampton that saw six goals and safety secured allows us to look to next season but let’s recap who was key in Saturday’s match.
The back and forth of the match was intense and kept everyone on the edge of their seats. From going up 1-0 quickly into the match and completely dominating to going on the back foot and conceded 2 consecutive goals. The team stuck it out and answered with two goals of their own and got the result they needed.
The teams ability to fight back and not let the match get away from has shown the impact Hasenhuttl has had on the squad and why we are safe and not getting relegated. Let us take a look at the three key players in the Saints fate deciding match.
Shane Long
The Irishman is back in the goals and it is fantastic to see. After goalless droughts and supporters (myself included) who thought he was better off playing in the Championship and not on a Premier League side has proven us wrong and has shown he has the quality to play and to score.
He was trouble all day for the Cherries and really should have had two goals but we will overlook that missed shot he had from about 5 feet away. He got himself in great positions and was ready to receive that ball and dish it off to another teammate making a run towards net.
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If he continues this run of form he may have just played himself into Hasenhuttl’s future plans for the club next season.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
The Captain was fantastic on Saturday. Offensively, defensively he was doing it all and was truly the engine of the team. He made 57 passes, including an assist, at an 80% clip but that is not surprising to any of us. What stood out the most is he made six tackles and was a complete stud on the defensive side of the ball.
In a wide open game that saw lots of attacking by each side, it was good to have some consistency in the middle. Hojbjerg has been such a treat and the passion for this club is what drives his game and next season could be a very special season for the Dane.
Yan Valery.
The youngster had an absolutely superb match and was really entertaining to watch. His confidence has grown so much since he has come into the side and is really showing flashes of the player he could be in a few more years of development.
He is starting to beat people on the dribble and is a rock in the back and in this system, with the Big Austrian, is exactly what we need in a wing-back. If we manage to hold onto him long-term we have a special player on our hands and I for one am super excited to watch next season.