Ryan Manning is a top five Saints player of the month from the fans point of view. But for Will Still, one thing is clear that he wasn't the go-to candidate to tighten things on the left.
While using four centre forwards in the second half, Will Still will have anticipated any or everyone of them to be the torch-bearers and guide Southampton away from the clutches of defeat. Instead, Ryan Manning decided to give the biggest substitute surprise to the 32-year-old, who never saw this side of the former.
Neither did Southampton fans if we are mentioning set-pieces but Still didn't imagine Manning as his best left-back going forward. He placed Welington in the St. Mary's heat, but the pacey Brazilian also isn't the most praised fullback on his lips, and it's a repeated pattern now.
Let's have the drumroll, it's Charlie Taylor. Before boarding the July flight to Spain, Still gave an Arsenal shoutout to Taylor and even now, the Englishman keeps rubbishing any fan thoughts that Taylor might be excessive to his lineup needs.
Taylor couldn't have asked for a better platform at Southampton
As quoted by the Daily Echo, Still said: "Charlie Taylor will also be involved, which is good. I love Chaz, he's a really good guy. The best team will play and we'll try to win."
Well, striking a balance with the manager helps. After all, the English stalwart was out of the selection eye during defensive talks and now finds Still as his biggest defender at Southampton.
As a start, it's good for Taylor to have the coach's hand on his shoulder but slowly, consistency will drive which priority he gets alongside Manning and Welington. Goal contributions can help, and Northampton Town should be a relaxed night for Taylor to showcase the playmaking and game attentive-ness he has got.