Just three strangely manufactured pre-season warm-up matches into the pre-season, and Southampton's first-team has been given a monumental kick up the proverbial backside.
After seeing his squad labour through two halves of football in the intense heat at Eastleigh, Still has made a philosophy out of whipping his players into shape. Training intensified ahead of the second warm-up match: two one hour games against League Two side Gillingham.
Still ensured that his squad played fatigued against Valenciennes
On Friday, Still had his side playing another double-header but this time against French outfit, Valenciennes. This time, Still ensured that his squad played tired. On Thursday, the 32-year-old Belgian born Saints boss had his squad running between seven and eight kilometres which Still described as an usual thing to do.
"It's all about fitness levels," Still told the Daily Echo. “It's about grinding whatever result you can, even when being tired and the psychological effect of playing while under fatigue.“
One of the players to have emerged favourably out of Still's attention to fitness is Shea Charles. Charles has been given licence to get forward and support attacks in his new role for the team. Instead of just being in the team to break up the opposition's play as a holding midfielder, the Northern Irish international is being transformed into a box-to-box midfielder under Still.
At Sheffield Wednesday, where Charles spent the last season on loan, the 21-year-old earned a reputation as a holding midfielder. Scouted on Total Football Insight he is described as a tough tackling and astute reader of the game.
With a high tally of interventions and progressive passes, Charles would have been an important player for the Saints next season, without any further intervention from Still. But this is simply not Still's way of coaching.
Charles is working on adding to his 'chances created' column
Still has clearly worked on adding numbers to the 'chances created' cloumn next to Charles' name on Transfermarkt.com or whatever stats app you choose to refer to. Already, we have seen an impact.
At Eastleigh, after receiving clear instruction from the manager, started to get forward more. His tumble in the box led to a converted penalty. On Friday, against Valenciennes, a supposedly fatigued Charles made a gut-busting burst forward to assist a goal for Archer. Soon after, he was leaping highest to clear a dangerous near-post corner.
This new and improved Shea Charles is a beast of a player. Alongside Flynn Downes and one hopes, Mateus Fernandes, Southampton will be unplayable. There is not a better midfield in the Championship than that one.
Cameron Archer and Joshua Quarshie are two others who are having an encouraging pre-season. Archer has netted in each of the pre-season friendlies and is staking his claim for a place in Still's first eleven.
Shea Charles must already have his name pencilled in on the opening day teamsheet.