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Spurs 2-1 Southampton: Premier League – Three Match Takeaways

By Alastair Case

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton applauds fans after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton applauds fans after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /

Ralph’s tactics under scrutiny

There is no doubting that Hasenhuttl’s arrival at Southampton has led to an upturn in fortunes but his recent selections have led many to question the rationale behind some of his decision making. The team initially named by the Austrian looked tactically sound but after an unfortunate injury to Cedric in the warm ups, Hasenhuttl opted to name error prone Vestergaard as his replacement.

This led to a shift from an apparent 4-3-3 to a less convincing five man defence with James Ward-Prowse and Bertrand acting as wing backs. The decision may have been understandable had Yan Valery not been on the substitutes bench. The change in formation from the successful formula which saw them prevail over Portsmouth midweek was curious and led to Southampton inviting unnecessary pressure.

Stranger still was the decision to keep the formation in place, even after Aurier’s early dismissal. Vestergaard was not at his best and the obvious option would have been to bring Valery on for the Dane, thus allowing Ward-Prowse to venture forward. With a tough run of games approaching, Hasenhuttl will be under scrutiny if his tinkering continues.