Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has explained what he and his side worked on during the international break.
In their last Premier League match against Chelsea, their defence was opened up far too easily and it appears that this has been the main area of focus during the past two weeks.
A lot of the senior squad were available for training after not being called up for international games this time around.
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Hasenhuttl said:
"“I think the biggest one we had, or biggest issue we had, was after losing the ball the transition to defence was not quick enough and committed enough, and that’s the reason we conceded goals more than normal. We’ve been working in these two weeks on our defensive stability and work against the ball as well – which is absolutely important – and we will need this at the weekend.”"
If his side are to live up to the pre-season promise that went with Saints as they came into the current campaign then things will need to improve fairly quickly.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has improved the overall mood at the club and given his side much more tactical know-how, but the team is yet to put in a display that really shows their true potential so far.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
Part of the problem is that he doesn’t have the quality that he needs in his squad currently.
There is some significant talent at the club, but Hasenhuttl is determined to get his 4-2-2-2 style across – something that served him superbly well in his previous managerial role at RB Leipzig.
With difficult fixtures coming up and running until late November though, is it time to return to the solidity that was seen in the second half of last season?
To get Saints out of trouble, a 3-4-2-1 was utilised and provided room for a good amount of attacking flair despite the added number in defence.
With gaps between midfield and defence appearing too often recently, it would give a three man backline and two central-midfielders in front of them to protect.
This would by no means signal the end of the 4-2-2-2 though.
In fact, it could still be used is Saints needed to go all out to claim a win or rescue a point in the latter stages of games. Springing it on the opposition may even work more effectively.