Wolves vs Southampton: A tactical analysis of an intense draw

By Marc Walker | Nov 23, 2020

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese head coach Nuno Espirito Santo (L) and Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (R) embrace after the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 23, 2020. - The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action with Ryan Bertrand and Moussa Djenepo of Southampton (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Djenepo’s defensive duties

It’s fair to say that Moussa Djenepo has the ability to get Saints fans off their chairs at home when he is driving towards the opposition box or taking on an opponent.

In the last two games though, he has done a stellar job defensively and helped Saints combat two problems in the process.

Against Newcastle, Saints had to play Jack Stephens as a makeshift left-back and Djenepo held back his attacking intent to cover wide areas on the left-wing whilst Stephens stayed centrally.

Versus Wolves, he was the first line of defence up against flying wing man Adama Traore and ended up attempting nine tackles throughout the game – the most of any Saints player by far.

He may not be the best defender in the world but his presence on the left in the last two games have been important in helping Saints secure four vital points.