Southamton's first friendly under the new manager came on a sweltering day on the South Coast. After a stiff workout in the sunshine, with Saints coming back from going a goal down early on, Saints' new boss was in a philosophical mood.
With temperatures nearing 30 degrees, and a huge squad at his disposal, Saints opted to field separate elevens in each half.
The first eleven was mostly composed of senior players, while the second featured Saints' new signing Joshua Quarshie, the highly coveted Tyler Dibling, and the returning loanees Sam Edozie and Kuryu Matsuki.
The first half was laboured in the intense heat and the players seemed to be struggling to shake off the nightmares of a disastrous Premier League campaign. Conceding a goal in the second minute was not on the script either. Will Smallbone struggled to make a clean contact with an attempted clearance in midfield, allowing Eastleigh to break forward. A smart run and low cross by the lively Aaron Blair was met by Kieron Evans who made no mistake from close range.
To their credit the Saints persevered in the sunshine. Jack Stephens and Joachim Kayi Sanda pushed the back line up close to the half-way line. That in itself was an insight into how things are going to be different under Still.
A team in the early stages of reconstruction
"I think you saw the premises of a team in the very early stages of total reconstruction," Still told reporters after the match.
"We're going from one unique style of play to not the polar opposite but almost," he added.
The counter-pressing approach wasn't coming easy to the likes of Ryan Frazer and Will Smallbone and there was a general hesitancy to press. Shea Charles, on the other hand, was clearly enjoying his role despite his touch being a bit rusty.
It was Charles who won the Saints a penalty as half-time approached. A nudge in the back sent the young irishman to the floor. Adam Armstrong duly dispatched the penalty, low and hard to the keeper's left after a long break for a medical emergency in the crowd.
There was a hesitancy about Saints going forward in the first period. Sloppy passing meant that they did not penetrate as much as their dominance in possession warranted. Charlie Taylor created overloads down the left but his crossing lacked accuracy. Charles, after receiving instructions from Still, created overloads through the centre and out on the right.
Much more energy and penetration in the second half
The second half differed so much from the first, it was like we were watching a different match altogether. There was more energy and far more penetration. The midfield trio of Downes, Matsuki, and Dibling counter-pressed like a pack of angry dogs, winning the ball back high up the pitch on multiple occasions.
Cameron Archer's winning goal with 15 minutes left on the clock spared Southampton's blushes but the second half performance deserved more. Only some last gasp challenges and desperate blocks saved the home side from conceding more.
The manager was clear about which style he preferred. "The second half was probably more towards what we want to do in the long term with a bit more energy and a bit more penetration and players getting in behind."
Jay Robinson and Sam Edozie showed no lack of skill in the second half, opening up the Eastleigh defence with silky skill and pace. There was no shortage of slick interpassing in and around the opposition penalty box. Loan returnee Kuryu Matsuki showed plenty of energy and enthusiasm and probably deserved to get on the scoresheet. Still was pleased with the contribution of the young Japanese player. "He's got energy about him and he's useful in the counter-press and in the penetration runs that he has."
Still stresses the importance of winning but issues a reality check
The new boss was quick to stress the relevance of the performance aswell as the result.
"It's obviously important to win and I think that it's probably best that we didn't win with six or seven goals between us.
"It proves to us that we're going to have to put a shift in. We're not just going to walk the league and beat everyone as easily as we'd like.
"We're going to have to work incredibly hard. We're going to have to improve."
Still is not wrong. When Wrexham rock up complete with their Hollywood entourage in August, one feels we will see a completely different Saints. Southampton won't walk the league - but with Will Still at the helm, they will win it.
First XI | Second XI |
|---|---|
McCarthy | Bazunu |
Bree | Sugawara |
Kayi Sanda | Wood |
Stephens | Quarshie |
Taylor | Welington |
Charles | Downes |
Smallbone | Dibling |
Frazer | Matsuki |
Brereton-Diaz | Robinson |
Stewart | Archer |
Armstrong | Edozie |