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Southampton’s ideal January transfer window roundtable – by Alastair Case

By Alastair Case

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Demarai Gray of Leicester City and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Demarai Gray of Leicester City and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with team mates (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Danny Ings of Southampton celebrates with team mates (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) /

Q1: What do you make of Saints’ squad depth at the moment and do they have enough options to see this season through and keep up their current form?

A: From my perspective, Saints have an excellent core squad of about 14 or 15 players, with real depth across the centre back and midfield positions. With the likes of Diallo, Djenepo, Stephens and Salisu available to Hasenhuttl as viable options from the bench, Southampton have players who can step into the breach and play in the irresistible style which has been developed over the last two years.

The acquisition of Theo Walcott has brought much needed experience and versatility across the front four positions. Indeed, his move has been so successful to date that other “first teamers”, such as Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo, have fallen down the pecking order. It was also pleasing to see Fraser Forster offering a solid replacement for Alex McCarthy against Liverpool, thus allowing Saints to reap the dividends of Forster’s rehabilitation as a Southampton player.

However, there are certain areas where Saints lack sufficient depth should the worst happen with injuries or suspensions. Understandably influential players such as Ings and Armstrong are always going to be difficult to replace but, in many respects, it is the full-back situation which feels the most vulnerable should the impressive duo of Walker-Peters and Bertrand be absent.

It is hard to gauge in this extraordinary season whether the current squad depth will be enough to seriously maintain the challenge for the top eight but with a couple of sensible additions in January, you would be mad to bet against Hasenhuttl’s men.