Southampton fans may sense Charlie Taylor's resurgence coming under Will Still but a Portsmouth factor might put that long-term thought to bed.
Will Still has got some pre-match tricks in his book, and one of them he played with the Charlie Taylor comments. This led the fans to dub the 31-year-old as an overnight favourite to start this Carabao Cup game but the Saints again formed their defensive core without him.
Coming into the substitute side from the leftover reserves is definitely a plus, and Taylor surely has some reasons for putting a second half timer to await a substitute's entry.
Southampton fans will also have a refreshing time rating someone as fringe of a squad contributor as him, but this activity might end tonight. Not because, Still has isolated Taylor only for infrequent cup days but due to a tempting opportunity involving Portsmouth.
As per Alan Nixon, Middlesbrough aren't able to resist their outside admiration for Taylor.
Taylor can get a Portsmouth battle to win even without playing derby
Boro have painted lengthy Southampton dreams over the course of the summer but Danny Ings, well that looks to be an uncomfortable defeat building up for them. And neither Taylor spent time under their manager Rob Edwards, so, how can Middlesbrough harbour some confidence for a deal?
Well, Taylor won't wave a magic wand but rubbing shoulders with a former Pompeys man is nothing short of a rarity as a Saint. Sammy Silvera ran the Boro's left flank on Sunday, and Edwards might be willing to have Taylor and Silvera's rub shoulders and give him two red-hot rhythm fullbacks.
After all, the Southern derby isn't without it's rivalry angles. Ask Southampton's Alex McCarthy, and even he may give his nod to battle against any Portsmouth keeper at a separate club.
So, if Taylor packs his bag to move there, he will have the St. Mary's support to better Silvera at Middlesbrough.