Former Premier League midfielder explains Southampton's defensive tactics
By Aakash Desai
In the three matches of the Premier League season, Southampton have faced defeats in all of them conceding a total of five goals in the three matches. The Saints are currently nineteenth in the league table above Everton only on goal difference, it is highly likely that Southampton will be in a relegation battle again this season. However, Russell Martin's side need to start taking some wins in order to avoid relegation after returning to the Premier League this season.
To improve the defence, Southampton signed Manchester City academy talent, Taylor Harwood Bellis, Alkmaar fullback Yukinari Sugawara and Swansea defender Nathan Wood to bolster their defence. On top of that, Armel Bella Kotchap returned to the Saints after his loan spell at PSV and Kyle Walker Peters stayed at the St. Mary's Stadium this season despite huge transfer interest in him from several Premier League clubs like Newcastle United and West Ham. Recently, they also signed Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to provide more defensive solidity to their lineup.
Former Premier League midfielder explains Southampton's defensive tactics
However, in the recent away fixture against Brentford, Russell Martin's side conceded three goals with all of them coming from Southampton's defensive mistakes inside their own half. Now, former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has analysed Southampton's tactical setup. The former Liverpool star said that Russell Martin is trying to implement his tactics of playing out from the back, but the defence is making several misplaced passes which has led them to concede more goals.
Next. Southampton scored their first goal but face another defeat in the Premier League. Southampton scored their first goal but face another defeat in the Premier League. dark
This defensive tactics of starting the build up play from the defence resemble to Vincent Kompany's Burnley last season, where they tried to gain more possession of the match but couldn't defend well inside their own half and as a result finished nineteenth in the Premier League and got relegated to the Championship. Thus, manager Russell Martin needs to try a different tactical setup in which the Saints can defend well to keep a clean sheet and create chances from their midfield, to score more goals. Now, it remains to be seen whether Southampton change their defensive tactics in the Premier League after the international break.
feed