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Newcastle vs. Southampton: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Southampton players form a team huddle prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on February 06, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Southampton players form a team huddle prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on February 06, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Takumi Minamino of Southampton
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Takumi Minamino of Southampton /

Southampton could not find a solution against 9 men Newcastle, suffering their 5th straight Premier League defeat.

Ralph Hasenhuttl ironically sent his team out in all red just four days after a Groundhog Day nightmare.  Saints fans were happy to see the return of Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu, but even more so the debut of Takumi Minamino.  The Japanese International on loan from Liverpool would deliver for his manager as well, with a left-footed strike with such pace it breezed by Karl Darlow at the near post.

Southampton were already down 0-2 ahead of the Minamino goal thanks to poor defending on their right side.  Jack Stephens was completely out of position for the first and Jan Bednarek could not get his feet right to block an Miguel Almirón shot.

Somehow Bednarek was not afforded an own goal, but his early performance unveiled scars from the 0-9 loss to United.  Alex McCarthy behind his centre-backs was equally shaky and his poor pass to Ryan Bertrand ultimately decided the game.  Fraser Forster was likely scheduled to take position between the posts midweek, but it may be time for a more lengthy stretch of games.

James Ward-Prowse gave the team hope, but honestly it may have been better if he hadn’t.  Losing a match with Newcastle finishing with 9 men feels as bad, no worse, than losing 0-9.  The team had no answers to break down Newcastle on a wet and sloppy pitch.

Their attempts to put the ball into the box were routinely poor and they lacked the conviction to take their opportunities once again.

Ralph Hasenhuttl deserves harsh criticism for not changing the game.  He sat on his hands and made just 1 sub, bringing in Dan N’Lundulu with 10 minutes left in regular time.  T

he decision to leave three centre-backs on the pitch must be questioned as it seemed he was playing for a set piece goal with no trust in his team during open play.  In reality, he was right, as the Saints couldn’t figure out how to beat a low block again and are now 5 straight without a point.

Here are the disappointing, ruefully disappointing, team ratings for Southampton.