Saints Marching
Fansided

Man City vs Southampton: Takeaways from Saints midweek loss

By Ryan Borowski

Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gestures from the side-lines during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on March 10, 2021. - 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 Martin Rickett / 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. / 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 MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gestures from the side-lines during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on March 10, 2021. - 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 Martin Rickett / 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. / 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 MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton had spells of brilliant play during their match against Manchester City followed by not so brilliant play that led to conceding goals.

It was a bit of an odd match looking back on it. Southampton appeared to be the better side for multiple spells throughout the game but would look terrible and had a number of mental errors that lead to goals and the lopsided scoreline.

At the end of the day, despite the scoreline, I think there are a ton of positives to take away from this match as well as some things they clearly need to work on.

Need to cut down on the mental errors

Let us start with a negative before we get to the positive. The team just had way too many errors and sloppy play that allowed City to expose them and get a goal. The one that stands out is the pass Che Adams played directly to Mahrez who proceeded to make us pay for the mistake.

The Saints had just won possession back and could have controlled the ball but Admas decided to take on an ambitious pass that cost the team. There are a ton of these examples like this throughout the season and it definitely needs to be addressed during the summer.

Once they start to cut out the mental errors they will stop dropping points and climb the table again!

Let us talk about the start of the match

Southampton started the match so brilliantly. They looked extremely in control and made City look like they were the away side facing the champions-to-be.

They came out of the gates on fire and controlled possession and did not allow the home side to be comfortable on the ball. Manchester City’s quality was eventually going to shine through and they would grow in the game but it was incredible to watch Southampton play without fear against a team many just park the bus against.

The next step will be playing like that more consistently and for the entirety of the match. It has to be the mentality of this team to play like that and they will go places if they are able to do so.

You should get excited about the youth

The young players showed yet again that they have loads of talent and are the clear future of this club. From Salisu (had a few nervy moments) to Diallo, to Tella. The young players are ballers and when they take the next step they are going to be a problem in this league.

So the youth is coming but the team still needs more depth and it cannot all come from the academy but what does is just an added bonus. I think we will see the new faces play a lot in the final matches of the season and let them get some more Premier League experience for the future.

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