AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Southampton: Premier League – Three Key Players

A Saintly Centre-Back – Jannik Vestergaard

Southampton fans seem divided on the future of Jannik Vestergaard.  The Danish centre-back earned his second straight start against Bournemouth, a rare feat and only accomplished via injury to Jan Bednarek.  He was at fault for the Brighton goal on Thursday and had his strange moments throughout the match on Sunday. His direct passing ability is his best quality and hypothetically he should be winning most aerial duels, but the verdict is still out on whether or not he will accept a third string role with more competition likely on the way.

Bournemouth used their long throw-ins constantly, as this was how the Saints were beaten mid week.  Jannik certainly improved in this aspect, denying flick-ons at a higher rate than against Brighton.  He was routinely strong against Joshua King and Callum Wilson who are no slight strikers, but still made the intervention mistakes we are all too used to.  Vestergaard nearly gave Dominic Solanke a gift as he tackled the ball running backwards to goal, but he made immediate amends for his mistake.  Vestergaard’s reaction time and willingness to make a block after conceding an attack is maybe the most important quality of a defender.  Yes, we do not want the mistake to ever be made, but they will, and how Vestergaard reacted to his error shows fans he is still invested and still developing.  We will ultimately see if he remains a Saint in a short period of time, but for specific matchups and a third centre-back this is a player Southampton fans should not give so much stick to.