Southampton: The key change tempting Hasenhuttl for Everton game

Southampton’s second half crumble at Leeds on Tuesday evening added yet more worry for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl as he attempts to steer his side away from a potential relegation battle.

Saints’ last Premier League win came back on the 4th January and saw them sixth in the table. Just over seven weeks later they have claimed one point from eight further games and have slid right down to 14th.

Most worryingly, the gap to the bottom three has been cut by 10 points in that time as the likes of Fulham and Brighton gather crucial results for themselves.

A season that was full of promise is now looking set for a limp over the safety line – not what Hasenhuttl and his team had in mind at all.

One component of the team that slipped in the second half yesterday was the goalkeeping.

Yes, other areas of the setup are to blame too – defensive intensity certainly fell as soon as Saints went 1-0 down – but Alex McCarthy will have been disappointed to see the first and third goals slip past him.

The opening goal from Patrick Bamford should not have been allowed to find the corner of the net, even if it should have been blocked by Jannik Vestergaard in the first place. Raphinha’s free-kick then found the net on McCarthy’s side of the goal – too easy for the Brazilian who effectively had both corners to aim for.

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Because of the drop in McCarthy’s performance, Fraser Forster’s case will only be pushed more by Saints fans ahead of the Everton game on Monday.

Both goalkeepers have improved hugely with the ball at their feet this season and both have kept a good number of clean sheets when their 2020/21 records are combined.

Forster’s performances in the FA Cup have been strong and Ralph Hasenhuttl will be looking for things he can change to bring about any change in his team’s form.

Whilst McCarthy may be the more classic style of goalkeeper, a confident Forster returning to Premier League action could provide something different. Different technique, different energy and a fresh start for the defence in front of him.

Looking at the 6ft 6in man’s goalkeeping style, it can be described as unorthodox. He often makes saves with his feet and wrists and sometimes punches the ball when he could claim. The fact that he is a lot more decisive overall this season though means he could help change things now.

Saints let their heads drop as soon as they conceded the second goal yesterday and this has been a theme recently – hinting that the injury problems and the packed schedule have slowly worn down an enthusiastic squad. They don’t have many other options to change in other parts of the squad but a switch between the sticks could be a positive move at this stage.

In terms of upcoming games, Saints need to make sure they are back to form as soon as possible. Meetings with Sheffield United and Brighton look crucial and could significantly ease the slight relegation worries. Once safety is all but secured, focus can be put fully on a charge towards FA Cup glory.