Sheffield United vs Southampton: Where the game will be won and lost
By Edward Waugh
Sheffield’s Flanks
In playing a three-at-the-back system, The Blades rely-solely heavy on the daringness and performances of their wing-backs to help provide any attacking penetration. Thankfully for them this is never an issue given the high-demands of their relentless manager Chris Wilder.
Since Sheffield operate very effectively through these means in George Baldock and Enda Stevens; and that a weakness of Southampton is defending against attacks from wide, the potential matchup in store could issue a massive problem for Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The return of experienced left-back Ryan Bertrand could therefore be a blessing to the Saints, whilst Cedric Soares should get the nod over Yan Valery being much more defensively astound than the young Frenchmen. Jannik Vestergaard will also need to continue his form from the performance against Manchester United which was inspired to snuff out potential danger.
In order to help nullify United from abusing the flanks, Southampton should be looking to aggressively team-up the mentioned opposition wing-backs – in particular helping Ryan Bertrand with his defensive duties given his recent return from injury. This is down to Chris Wilder’s set up being an energetic one that can only really be countered with matching said energy levels.
Given Ralph Hasenhuttl likes this philosophy of play, it could therefore benefit Southampton.