Clean sheets mean points
Saints currently sit joint-top of the clean sheet standings in the Premier League having secured four shutouts so far.
Alex McCarthy has grown in confidence and taken on a more active role whilst making those important saves that have seen Burnley, West Brom, Everton and Newcastle unable to beat him.
Many areas of Saints’ game have progress in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s time at the club but this is one of the most important. In 2019/20, they were regularly leaking goals and had to outscore teams at times to gain points.
Now a tight-knit back four and two excellent central-midfielders in front of them have produced the defensive showings that a team needs to become successful in the Premier League.