Saints Marching
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5 talking points from Southampton’s first two pre-season friendlies

By Marc Walker

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 27: Ralph Hasenhuttl the head coach / manager of Southampton during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Cardiff City and Southampton at Cardiff City Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 27: Ralph Hasenhuttl the head coach / manager of Southampton during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Cardiff City and Southampton at Cardiff City Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Nathan Redmond of Southampton (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Nathan Redmond of Southampton (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Some with a point to prove

There are some Southampton players who walk into the line-up at the moment but some are either back at the club or needing to prove their worth.

Thankfully, it looks like Ralph Hasenhuttl has plenty of fringe options who are eager to make a real impression in this pre-season.

Yan Valery was a consistent presence at right-back and Moi Elyounoussi put in a solid display. Both will be hoping to impress enough to get some good minutes if they are to stay at the club for the upcoming campaign.

Perhaps the best showing in attack in the first-half came from Michael Obafemi. The striker was set for a loan move in 2020/21 after falling behind other players in the pecking order but looks to be back to better form.

It was his buzzing around that created some openings for Saints and won the ball back for Theo Walcott’s opening goal.

Nathan Redmond then came off the bench and was straight into the thick of the action to cause an already beleaguered Cardiff further problems. Add an excellent goal from Moussa Djenepo and two superb assists for Nathan Tella and there could be plenty pushing for starts come 14th August.