REPORT: Southampton 3 Swansea 1

Southampton produced a clinical, if not thrilling display to see off Swansea at St Mary’s. New boy Virgil van Dijk got the hosts off to a positive start with a headed effort in the first half, before a Ki Sung-yeung own goal and a Sadio Mané strike confirmed a home victory. Gylfi Sigurðsson pulled one back from the spot, but it was a case of too little, too late for the visitors.

After last weekend’s frustrating defeat to Manchester United, Ronald Koeman elected to make a couple of changes to his starting line-up. The returning Ryan Bertrand came in for Matt Targett, while Oriol Romeu made way for Steven Davis. Garry Monk also made a switch in personnel, and in shape. Jefferson Montero was on the bench, signifying that Ki came into the Swans midfield, and that the visitors would adopt a 4-3-2-1 formation, with Sigurðsson and André Ayew supporting Bafétimbi Gomis.

Evidently, Garry Monk wished his side to make sure they saw plenty of the ball with the addition of an extra central midfielder, and his engine room was working to good effect in the early stages – highlighted by a Jonjo Shelvey piledriver that Maarten Stekelenburg could only palm to Ki, but the South Korean international sent his shot sailing over the bar. That minor scare pushed Southampton into action though. A Graziano Pellè slipped through-ball deflected off a Swansea leg to Mané, but on the turn, the forward pulled his effort just wide of the post. Saints were to find the breakthrough moments later though. James Ward-Prowse whipped a corner to the near post, and Van Dijk rose to nod past Fabiański in the Swansea goal. After that, Southampton started to establish themselves in the game, with Victor Wanyama and Ward-Prowse pulling the strings in the deep midfield position, while Davis brought a good balance to the team in a more offensive role. On the left, the returning Bertrand was combining well with Dušan Tadić, as the duo perturbed Kyle Naughton,  who was exposed as the visitors were employing a narrow formation. Swansea were occasionally finding space just outside the Saints box though, and Ki fired a low shot from 20 yards that Stekelenburg parried away unconvincingly, before José Fonte scrambled the ball away. Meanwhile, a couple of individual battles were emerging on the pitch. Wanyama and Ayew were repeatedly at each other’s heels, while Neil Taylor and Mané were also becoming acquainted down the Saints’ right wing – none of this was malicious though. Southampton continued to see lots of the ball, but neither team could carve out any further opportunities before the break.

At half-time, Monk clearly felt that his formation switch had not gone to plan, with former Saint Jack Cork withdrawn for the tricky winger Montero, while Éder replaced the ineffective Gomis. These changes were not to reap immediate benefits though, and it was Southampton who found a second goal in the 54^th minute. The visitors’ right side was attacked once more, as Pellè clipped a beautiful ball into the onrushing Tadić who sprinted into the box – the Serbian attempted to find Mané at the back post, however his cross deflected off Ki and looped over the helpless Fabiański. Saints showed no mercy after their piece of good fortune though, as they extended their lead on the 60 minute mark. Bertrand made an incisive run down the left wing before passing the ball to Pellè on the edge of the box. The Italian scuffed his shot, but the ball was blocked by Ashley Williams out to Mané who exhibited composure to slot it into the bottom corner. After putting in another excellent display with some impressive link-up play, Pellè nearly got in on the act as well. The big striker thumped a header towards goal after a corner came in from the right, but Fabiański got across to tip the ball away to safety. The visitors then looked to get themselves on the scoresheet after retaining possession well, with Shelvey shooting low from the edge of the box, but Fonte was able to block well. It was a much improved performance from the Saints skipper as he led the team well from the back, while it seems that the foundations are being built for an excellent partnership with Van Dijk. Unfortunately, the Portuguese conceded a penalty in the final ten minutes. Taylor jinked his way into the box before being caught by the centre-back, with referee Roger East having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Sigurðsson stepped up to calmly put the ball down the centre, and into the back of the net. Southampton were to endure a fright after that, after a flowing move from the visitors resulted in Ayew heading a cross goalbound, yet Stekelenburg was well placed to comfortably catch the ball. The one remaining piece of goalmouth action was to come from the Saints attack though. Pellè showed great awareness once more as he sent Juanmi into the area with a lovely chip, but when the substitute found the Italian again with a low pass, he could only scoop his shot high into the Chapel. Little did it matter though, as Southampton put in an astute performance to make them worthy victors.

Man of the Match

Virgil van Dijk: The Dutchman put in another accomplished performance, underlining what has been a rapid acclimatisation to the Premier League for the centre-back. Not only did he do well to attack and then steer the ball home with his first goal for the club, he cut a calm figure at the back while showing a real understanding with Fonte. Much has been made of the centre-back’s ability to saunter forward from the back to support the attack, yet his defensive nous has been a highlight in his early performances for the club.

Teams and Ratings

Southampton

Stekelenburg 6 – Soares 6, Fonte (C) 7, Van Dijk 8, Bertrand 7 – Wanyama 6, Ward-Prowse 7 – Mané 7 (Juanmi 86’ N/A), S. Davis 6 (Romeu 63’ 5), Tadić 7 (Rodriguez 74’ 5) – Pellè 7

Goals: Van Dijk (11’), Ki O.G. (54’), Mané (61’)

Bookings: Romeu, Fonte

Swansea

Fabiański 6 – Naughton 5, Fernández 5, Williams (C) 6, Taylor 6 – Ki 6, Shelvey 6 (Britton 80’ N/A), Cork 6 (Montero 45’ 6) – Ayew 5, Sigurðsson 6 – Gomis 5 (Éder 45’ 6)

Goals: Sigurðsson pen. (83’)

Bookings: Shelvey

PREVIEW: Southampton v Swansea

Unavailable: Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Clasie

                         Swansea – No Current Injuries

In Garry Monk’s pre-match press conference, he was continually questioned as to whether he was concerned with his side’s current form – highlighting the club’s established position in the best of the rest pack in the Premier League. Since the Swans overcame Manchester United a month ago at the Liberty Stadium, they have lost one, and drawn one in the league, while they were defeated by Hull in the Capital One Cup this week. Surely, this does not signify a crisis, yet listening to some of the questions that Monk faced, you could be forgiven for thinking that the visitors on Saturday were cast adrift at the bottom of the league.

The former Saint remarked that his club’s continued success over the past few years has resulted in some wondering if he is “reaching for the panic button” after a couple of negative results. Ronald Koeman will undoubtedly sympathise with his counterpart on this subject. While Southampton have certainly had a mixed start to the season, it has by no means been poor, however last year’s scintillating performance still lingers in people’s minds. Saturday’s match at St Mary’s acts as a chance for both teams to prove that they are the proverbial “real deal”.

This game promises a great deal. The two teams promote a similar footballing philosophy which incorporates possession football with a cutting edge. The fact that they share such beliefs is highlighted by the smooth transition that Jack Cork has enjoyed after swapping Hampshire for South Wales in January. Frustrated at his inability to hold down a starting berth at St Mary’s, the central midfielder sought pastures new, and his excellent form at Swansea will be of no surprise to Saints fans. Playing in the anchor role, the England Under-21 international has not had to readjust his simple yet sophisticated game at the Liberty Stadium – while being strong in the tackle, he nearly always finds a team-mate with his impressive passing range.

While the central midfielder’s presence will be important to his team on his St Mary’s return, Swansea’s threat will also come down the wings. On the left side, Jefferson Montero will attempt to worry Cédric Soares with his pace and creativity, but Saints have a prolific wideman of their own, who has started to look back to his best in recent weeks, in the form of Dušan Tadić. Although shut down well by Antonio Valencia in the second half of the United match, the Serbian should cause Kyle Naughton a few problems with his trickery and crossing ability. While it should be an intriguing encounter for the neutral, both sides will be keen to pick up points to silence the doubters.

Key Battles

Fonte v Gomis: It would be fair to state that José Fonte has struggled to recapture his excellent form from last season at the start of this campaign. Regardless of the fact that the Saints captain has already had three different centre-back partners this season, he has dropped short of the high standards that he has set himself over the past few years with a patch of inconsistent form. After impressing with Virgil van Dijk against West Brom, the Portuguese did not put in a glowing performance against United. Partly at fault for two of the visitors’ goals, Fonte lacked composure while he did not marshal his troops as United started to get their foot on the ball. After dominating Louis Van Gaal’s men in the opening stages, Saints dropped deep, yet Fonte did not order them to push up. Of course, this is not the sole fault of the captain, as the midfield should have felt the necessity of doing that themselves, but it was worrying from a Saints perspective. Nevertheless, Fonte captained the side to the thumping of MK Dons, as the defence kept a clean sheet.

This Saturday, he has a real opportunity to prove himself once more against the force of nature that is Bafétimbi Gomis. After many years in France, Swansea were the club to bring him in on a free transfer last summer, and he has been an excellent replacement for Wilfried Bony.  Providing pace and power at the spearhead of Swansea’s attack, while being a positive example in the dressing room, the French international is notching goals seemingly at will. His relationship with André Ayew has been another plus this season, as the duo have impressed pundits with their performances. Gomis will challenge Fonte this Saturday, as he will act as a targetman, and run in behind on occasion, therefore the Southampton captain will have to be cautious.

Wanyama v Shelvey: Since Southampton denied Victor Wanyama a deadline day move to Tottenham, the Kenyan seems to have settled down, and let his feet do all the necessary talking. Although after putting in an assured performance at The Hawthorns on his return to the team, the midfielder did struggle at some points against United last Sunday. He will want to impose himself on this game, and his role will be vital in whether Southampton obtain a positive result. While he will keen to keep the influential Gylfi Sigurðsson at bay, the Kenya captain will have to cut off Swansea’s supply line – this comes from Jonjo Shelvey. While the midfielder found it challenging to impose himself on the national side in the recent game against Switzerland, he remains a key part of his club. His passing ability often triggers opportunities for his team-mates, therefore if Wanyama is able to get into his face from the off, the Swans could struggle to enforce their offensive tactics at St Mary’s.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett – S. Davis, Wanyama – Mané, Rodriguez, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Long, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand, Ramírez

Swansea: Fabiański – Naughton, Fernández, Williams (C), Taylor – Cork, Shelvey – Ayew, Sigurðsson, Montero – Gomis

Nordfeldt, Ki, Routledge, Éder, Rangel, Bartley, Barrow

PREVIEW: MK Dons v Southampton

Unavailable: MK Dons – Cropper, Forster-Caskey, Gallagher, Carruthers,    Walsh, Randall, Jennings, Potter

                         Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Clasie, Pellè

After the excitement and eventual disappointment for Southampton in their match against Manchester United at the weekend, the lead-up to this League Cup tie has been somewhat understated, yet it offers a real opportunity for Ronald Koeman’s team. Many predict a season of mid-table mediocrity at St Mary’s, therefore progression would be a welcome distraction. Often the object of sneers, the League Cup represents a trophy that Southampton have the ability to win. Without the Europa League to compete in, the club has a squad with strength in depth; Koeman will be able to give youngsters and fringe players a chance to flourish, while also fielding several first-team regulars. If Saints were to progress at stadium:mk, it would prop the door open for them to have a successful run; as a number of all Premier League ties signifies that several top tier clubs will not continue in the competition.

This will be no mean feat though. Koeman is well aware of the threat that is posed by lower league opposition after being dumped out of the competition by League One Sheffield United last season. Yet the Blades were unquestionably determined to run out victors that night – this cannot be said for MK Dons manager, Karl Robinson. The Liverpudlian is disenchanted with this season’s competition, after the game was moved to a Wednesday night to allow Southampton a suitable recovery period after their clash with United. The Dons boss believes that the timing of the match will leave his side fatigued for their Saturday lunchtime game at home to Derby. He declared in blunt fashion that he doesn’t “really care about the Southampton game.” Yet this statement could prove to be a masterstroke, as it will alleviate pressure off his players. Moreover, the Dons do have weapons in their arsenal to hurt Saints. Robinson has built a culture of playing the game in “the right way” over the past few years at the club, and his team demonstrate that with their impressive fluid style. No player encapsulates this more than former Saint Ben Reeves. Once a left-back, he now occupies the No 10 slot, and is a real talisman for the Buckinghamshire club, as he carves open defences on a regular basis. Meanwhile, former Saints ‘keeper Cody Cropper is injured resulting in his absence, while loanee Sam Gallagher is cup tied. Despite the threat that the Dons possess, Southampton should have some joy if they force the issue at stadium:mk. It is likely that Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez will both enjoy a starting berth, and trouble a Dons defence lacking in speed with their pace and guile. Nevertheless, Championship opposition has provided an uncomfortable stumbling block for Saints in recent years; therefore they will have to display professionalism to come through unscathed.  

Due to the unpredictable nature of line-ups in the early rounds of the League Cup, there will be no ‘Key Battles’ section for this match.

REPORT: Reading Under-21s 2 Southampton Under-21s 5

Southampton’s youngsters secured a comprehensive victory over their Reading counterparts in a seven goal thriller, on a crisp evening at Adams Park. Harrison Reed struck early, before an immediate reply from Rowan Liburd. Saints then added two goals, as Sam McQueen and Ryan Seager got in on the act, before Reed knocked the ball past his own ‘keeper to give the Royals hope of a comeback. This was extinguished in the second period though, as Jake Hesketh notched a brace to send Southampton to the summit of Division One.

As the fog descended on Adams Park from the surrounding hills, the players came out of the tunnel to applause from the few hundred in attendance. Among the young players coming onto the pitch was Ryan Bertrand – getting some vital minutes under his belt before returning to first-team action. The England international made himself known in the early stages, as the game started at a frenetic pace. As Reading tried to roll the ball out to Lisandro Semedo on the right side, the left-back slid through the back of the winger to the irk of the few home fans present who were baying for blood. Referee Dean Leach concluded that a booking would be the appropriate punishment. Southampton then went on the offensive as Reading gave the ball away cheaply. The red and white shirts flew forward; Seager controlled a poor forward pass before sending Reed into the right side of the box. He fired a shot across goal that went into the net via the post, despite a touch from ‘keeper Lewis Ward. There was an instant response from the Royals. Southampton were unable to clear their lines after a corner, and Conor Shaughnessy hooked the ball over his shoulder to Liburd who pounced to powerfully head the ball home off the underside of the bar. Southampton came straight back at the Berkshire side though. Seager found himself through on goal, but his low effort was superbly blocked by Ward. Yet Saints were not to be denied moments later, as they had a succession of corners that tested their hosts. Initially, it seemed that Southampton had a stonewall penalty appeal as Andrija Novakovich turned the ball behind with his hand, but the referee only pointed for a corner. Bertrand nearly scored directly from the quadrant, however it was scrambled away by Ward. From the subsequent set-piece from captain Dominic Gape, the ball bounced around in the penalty area, before McQueen lashed it into the roof of the net. Southampton started to take the game to Reading and added a third shortly afterwards. Gape sent a low free-kick from the left channel into Seager, who ran to the near post and stooped expertly to flick a looping header into the far corner. Yet Reading’s youngsters were not to fall away, and the game saw its fifth goal despite being less than 30 minutes old. As he did frequently throughout the match, Novakovich went on an excellent weaving run, as he beat two players down the left side of the area, before rolling the ball back across the box where the unfortunate Reed turned the ball past the Saints stopper, Harry Isted. The Royals were close to finding parity moments later. As a ball came in from the right wing, Liburd rose to head it towards goal, however on this occasion, Isted was able to get a fingertip to the striker’s effort to prevent an equaliser. It was a genuine end-to-end encounter in Buckinghamshire, and Southampton had a couple of opportunities to extend their advantage before the break. Josh Sims did well to deliver a low cross from the left which was thumped towards goal by McQueen, but Ward pushed the shot away, before denying Seager on the rebound. Although McQueen did not stop there as he attempted to grab his second of the evening. Cutting inside from the right, he curled the ball with his left foot but it drifted wide of the post.

Saints Under-21s boss Martin Hunter made one change before the restart as he decided that Bertrand had enjoyed a satisfactory runout. Josh Debayo replaced the first teamer. The visitors made an instant impact in the second period. Sims jinked his way down the left before causing confusion in the Reading box with his sidefooted cross. The ball was slid away from the onrunning Seager, but Hesketh was not be denied as he adjusted his body well to finish past the stranded Ward. Sims’ creative runs down the left were a feature throughout the second half, as he constantly troubled right-back Sean Long. His final product was also of good quality as Seager was unlucky not to add to his account. He was ably supported by Debayo in the second half, who attacked at the appropriate moment while demonstrating positional ability to cut off any offensive threat from Reading’s right side. Meanwhile, in the middle of the park, Saints began to run the game in a professional manner, as they strived to keep their two goal cushion. Reed was habitually fierce in the tackle and added bite to the midfield while Gape played a pivotal role, as he exhibited real composure. There was one moment of doubt from the spine of the team though, as Liburd managed to run clean through on goal, but blazed his shot over the bar. Yet, the final goal of the evening did come from the engine room. Reed sent the ball forward to Seager who flicked the ball onto Hesketh in the No 10 slot. He beat a Reading challenge on the edge of the box, and rifled a low shot into the corner. Hesketh and Seager’s chemistry was something else that was evident throughout the contest. The two played off each other well as the Royals defence was unable to cope with their superior movement. From that moment on, Southampton controlled the remainder of the encounter, but lacked any real attacking threat. Bevis Mugabi did send a shot towards the top corner with the outside of his right boot, however Ward pushed the ball behind.  Olufela Olomola and Lloyd Isgrove came on for Seager and McQueen in the latter stages. McQueen also impressed in his role on the right wing. Comfortable either cutting in on his stronger left foot or going down the outside, he was a real menace on the wing. Some of his crosses were not successful in finding a man, but he was a vital part of the cohesive attacking unit. Reading may have been poor defensively (as were Southampton in the first half), but it is apparent that Saints are a real force to contend with at this level.

Man of the Match

Dominic Gape: Gape was a central figure in Southampton’s triumph as he pulled the strings in midfield. Comfortable in possession while not shying away from a tackle, the captain gave an assured and mature performance. Moreover, he also showed his ability from a set-piece, as two of his deliveries resulted in goals.

Teams and Ratings

Reading Under-21s

Ward 6 – Long 6, Hyam 5, Sweeney (C) 5, Griffin 6 – Semedo 6 (Rinomhota 68’ 5), Kelly 5, Shaughnessy 6, Fosu 6 – Novakovich 7, Liburd 7

Goals: Liburd (9’), Reed O.G. (26’)

Southampton Under-21s

Isted 6 – Mugabi 7, McCarthy 6, Wood 5, Bertrand 6 (Debayo 45’ 7) – Gape (C) 8, Reed 7 – McQueen 7 (Isgrove 89’ N/A), Hesketh 8, Sims 7 – Seager 7 (Olomola 87’ N/A)

Bookings: Bertrand, Debayo

Goals: Reed (7’), McQueen (21’), Seager (24’), Hesketh (46’, 69’)

REPORT: Southampton 2 Manchester United 3

Manchester United came from behind to overcome Southampton in a fascinating encounter at St Mary’s. Two Graziano Pellè strikes came either side of an Anthony Martial brace and a Juan Mata effort. Saints started strongly as they rattled United in the early stages, however they faded as the match went on.

Ronald Koeman elected to make three changes with Maya Yoshida, Oriol Romeu and Sadio Mané coming in for Cédric Soares, Steven Davis and Jay Rodriguez. While Mané was back in the starting line-up after only being deemed fresh enough for the bench against West Brom, Yoshida and Romeu were undoubtedly picked for their defensive strength – Koeman attempted to shackle both Memphis Depay and Wayne Rooney who was back in the No 10 role, as one of four switches made by Louis van Gaal. Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young made way for Marcos Rojo, Morgan Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick and the United captain.

Following a short discussion between the two managers – quite possibly regarding a post-match tipple – Southampton got the proceedings underway, but neither team had a sight of goal in the opening ten minutes. The first opportunity came as the ball was lifted up the right wing to Pellè who shoved off the challenge of Daley Blind, before Dušan Tadić stepped up to unleash a drive with his weaker right foot on the edge of the box, but the Serbian only found the advertising hoardings. Minutes later, Saints took the lead. Mané set James Ward-Prowse racing down the right channel, before the England Under-21 captain curled the ball back into the path of the onrunning Senegalese in the centre of the penalty area. His shot was brilliantly parried by a sprawling David de Gea, but he was helpless as the ball fell to Pellè who slammed it into the bottom corner. The Italian then wheeled off to celebrate in unique fashion – holding an imaginary rugby ball as he dived over the byline in front of the Chapel Stand, emulating try scorers from the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Shortly after that, he could have been sliding over the “try line” once more. Carrick was hassled off the ball by Saints and Romeu found the Italian, who turned past the hapless Blind, but he could only sidefoot the ball onto the outside of the post. The Southampton striker was having a field day as Blind and Smalling found it impossible to contain him, while on the left wing, Tadić was mesmerising Matteo Darmian as he continually outwitted the right-back. United were ineffective down the other end as Mata repeatedly cut inside to deprive his side of balance, while Rooney was doing little to cut open the Southampton backline. The game was to change on the half hour mark though. Southampton began to drop off and as a result, left a large space in the centre of the park for United to expose. Victor Wanyama and Oriol Romeu were almost on the toes of José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk, while Mané was playing just behind Pellè. United slowly moved through the gears as they took control of the engine room. In the 34^th minute, they found the equaliser. Southampton were unable to adequately clear their lines, and the Red Devils forced the ball past Fonte who misjudged the pass, letting an offside Mata into the box, yet play was allowed to continue by referee Mark Clattenburg. Yoshida got back to slide the ball away from the playmaker but it fell to man of the moment Martial, who turned away smartly from Van Dijk before slotting the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg. Moments later, the away side pressured Southampton once again, as a low pass across the box from the left was met by former Saint Schneiderlin, however the Frenchman’s shot was blocked behind for a corner.

As the players returned for the second period, both managers made alterations to their sides. The injured Matt Targett was replaced by Cuco Martina, while Darmian made way for Antonio Valencia as Van Gaal believed that Tadić was having far too much space on the left side. The United boss would have been delighted with the way his side started the half though, as they took the lead for the first time. In unfamiliar territory at right-back, Yoshida tried to find Fonte with a short pass, but it was wayward and he only gifted Martial the ball, who sprinted through on goal before rolling it past Stekelenburg’s outstretched leg. Southampton’s lack of possession in the middle of the park signified that United were starting to build more and more attacks, and Koeman had seen enough, as Romeu came off for Steven Davis. The Northern Ireland captain managed to get his foot on the ball; Saints were calmed by his presence and they came close from a set-piece opportunity. Tadić whipped a corner to the near post where Fonte met it with a powerful header which was arrowing towards the top corner, before De Gea threw up a hand to prevent the equaliser. That excellent stop was crucial as United found their rhythm once more. Schweinsteiger entered the fray for Carrick, and the veteran had an important role in the away side’s killer goal. He was the centre piece as the Red Devils completed 45 passes before Memphis Depay wandered into the box. Fonte was slow to react as the attacker quickly turned away from him and hammered a low shot against the foot of the post, but on hand to finish was Mata. Southampton still had not given up hope of getting something from the match though. Mané burst into the box, and slalomed past Smalling, but the forward then inexplicably tumbled to ground without a touch from the defender, as he looked for an unjust penalty. Eventually, Southampton did find a route back into the encounter. Mané found space on the right side of the box, and his cross into the centre found Pellè who rose magnificently to head into the top corner past the rooted De Gea. This signalled a frantic last five minutes as Saints pushed for a leveller. Wanyama came the closest to doing so, as he dummied a shot before smashing the ball towards the top corner, but De Gea was level to the effort as he got up to tip the shot away. In a game that had the potential to end with a very different outcome for Southampton; a combination of individual errors, lack of control in central midfield, and impressive performances down either end of the pitch for United, handed the visitors the spoils.

Man of the Match

Graziano Pellè: Starved of good service at The Hawthorns last week, the big striker held the ball up immensely well against United’s defence, and bullied Blind throughout the game. His link-up play was central to many of the chances that Southampton created, and he finished his opportunities like a true poacher should. When given decent delivery from the flanks, he will inevitably find the back of the net on a frequent basis.

Teams and Ratings

Southampton

Stekelenburg 6 – Yoshida 5, Fonte (C) 5, Van Dijk 6, Targett 6 (Martina 45’ 6) – Wanyama 6, Romeu 5 (S. Davis 56’ 6) – Ward-Prowse 6 (Long 76’ N/A), Mané 6, Tadić 6 – Pellè 8

Bookings: Van Dijk, Fonte

Goals: Pellè (13’, 86’)

Manchester United

De Gea 8 – Darmian 5 (Valencia 45’ 6), Smalling 6, Blind 5, Rojo 6 (McNair 69’ 5) – Carrick 6 (Schweinsteiger 60’ 6), Schneiderlin 6 – Mata 6, Rooney (C) 5, Depay 6 – Martial 7

Goals: Martial (34’, 50’), Mata (68’)

PREVIEW: Southampton v Manchester United

Unavailable: Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Bertrand, Clasie

                       Manchester United – Jones, Shaw

It will be the third time that Southampton and Manchester United have met since Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal were appointed last summer, yet their complicated relationship remains the principal talking point ahead of this weekend’s clash. The Dutchmen have not seen eye to eye since a conflict between the two at Ajax, where Koeman was manager and Van Gaal director of football, although the Southampton boss declares that he has a good “working relationship” with his fellow countryman. Their frosty rapport is undoubtedly the result of two vastly different characters. Former Saints and now United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin recently stated that while Koeman is a calm operator, Van Gaal is a strict perfectionist who constantly pressures his players to improve themselves.

This Sunday, much attention will obviously be focused on Schneiderlin, as this will be his first St Mary’s return since his move to become a Red Devil. While he has not played poorly this season by any means, the Frenchman has not yet stamped his mark in a red shirt. This weekend against his former team-mates, he will be particularly keen to prove that he has made a successful jump to the next level. Whatever the result, he is sure to receive a positive reception from the St Mary’s faithful, after he completed a reluctant U-turn to thrive in his final season with the club. There will be no return for Luke Shaw though, as he suffered a horrendous double leg break against PSV Eindhoven earlier this week. While United’s concern is clearly with the player, the Saints academy graduate’s severe injury will give Van Gaal a real selection headache. Most likely, Marcos Rojo will come in at centre-back with Daley Blind slotting in at left-back. The Dutch international will not have a tranquil afternoon as his lack of pace is likely to be exposed by the returning Sadio Mané – a late summer United transfer target before Southampton unequivocally rejected their advances.

Meanwhile, Koeman may opt to make further changes in order to bolster his midfield. Despite James Ward-Prowse possibly putting in his best ever performance while occupying a deeper role against Norwich, the Southampton boss may decide to add Oriol Romeu alongside Victor Wanyama to provide extra defensive cover and break up United’s possession game. Van Gaal will also make a tactical switch with Wayne Rooney available after a minor injury. After impressing in his debut last week, Virgil van Dijk has his first opportunity to test himself against top opposition in the form of England’s all-time top scorer, who is on a desperate quest to notch his first Premier League goal of the season. Van Dijk will want to amble forward to offer support to his attacking players as he did at Celtic, but it will be imperative that he picks his moments prudently with United’s attacking talent lurking behind him. If not, the Dutchman will be handed a brutal lesson in the quality of the Premier League.

Key Battles

Pellè v Rojo: In United’s inevitable defensive shake-up, Van Gaal will probably turn to Rojo to fill in at centre-back with Chris Smalling. The Argentinian has only been deemed good enough for the bench this season, as Smalling and Blind have combined well in the centre of the backline, but this Sunday, the onetime Saints target will be thrust back into action. Since his arrival last summer, Rojo has found life difficult at Old Trafford as he has struggled to play in a number of positions in defence. He is least competent at centre-back as his positional faults can hamper his team. Aiming to seize on those errors will be Graziano Pellè. The Italian will not only trouble Rojo, but also Smalling who may revert to his previous inconsistent form with a different partner at centre-back. Pellè is particularly prolific on home turf, and may well cling onto Rojo to exert his physical presence.

Soares v Depay: Another key encounter will take place on Southampton’s right wing as Cédric Soares will face Memphis Depay. Soares has excelled in recent weeks, and he should be able to support the player in front of him once again – most likely Mané. If the right-back can run on the overlap, then he is usually able to deliver good service from the wing, but it is vital that he is not bullied by the pace and power of Depay down the other end. In the match against Everton, the Portuguese suffered when adding to Southampton’s offence as Romelu Lukaku ran into the vacant space left behind. When Soares attempted to backtrack, the Belgian overpowered him, and José Fonte was left in a vulnerable position. Therefore, it is key that he does not sprint forward too readily, and when United do counter, he will need to get goal-side quickly, otherwise he will be more susceptible to being handed off when hurrying back. The Portuguese may have some respite due to Shaw’s absence though. In the early weeks of the season, the England left-back has bombed down the wing, allowing Depay to sometimes use him as a decoy runner, and cut inside. Blind will be more reluctant to aid his countryman, which signifies that the attacker should be easier to track.

Possible Line-ups

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett – Romeu, Wanyama – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Long, Rodriguez, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi

Manchester United: De Gea – Darmian, Smalling, Rojo, Blind – Carrick, Schneiderlin – Mata, Herrera, Depay – Rooney (C)

Romero, Martial, Young, Valencia, Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, McNair

REPORT: West Brom 0 Southampton 0

West Brom and Southampton played out a goalless draw at The Hawthorns that will not stick long in the memory for those present. In a drab affair, the main talking point was Stuart Attwell’s contentious decision not to award the Baggies a penalty, after Callum McManaman initially seemed to have been felled. Saints had the better of the possession, particularly in the second half as they pushed for a winner; however that possibility seemed less likely as the game went on.

                                                                                      

Both teams had significant players back at their disposal after transfer stand-offs with Tottneham were resolved. Saido Berahino and Victor Wanyama both stayed put, and were back in action for their respective clubs, although the England international had to wait for his chance from the bench. Meanwhile, Jonas Olsson, James McClean and James Morrison were replaced by new boy Jonny Evans, McManaman and former Saint Rickie Lambert for the hosts. As for Southampton; Wanyama, debutant Virgil van Dijk and Jay Rodriguez came in for Oriol Romeu, Maya Yoshida and Sadio Mané.

West Brom kicked the game off however they were immediately on the back foot as Southampton attempted to implement their passing game. James Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis were linking well in the centre of midfield, while Dušan Tadić and Cédric Soares were also combining with success on the right wing, but Saints were unable to penetrate the Baggies back four in the early moments of the game. Moreover, it was West Brom who managed to get behind the Southampton rearguard just after the 15-minute mark. Rickie Lambert picked the ball up on the halfway line, before setting McManaman down the inside right channel to race onto it. The former Wigan man scampered into the box and beat the lunging Matt Targett to the ball, before falling rather dramatically to the floor after the England Under-21 international seemed to make contact. To the initial incredulity of Tony Pulis, referee Stuart Attwell waved the penalty appeals away, however post-match, the West Brom boss stated that it was a dive, and that he would talk to McManaman regarding his behaviour. On second viewing, Pulis believed that the winger was already tumbling to the floor before Targett slid in. Bizarrely, Ronald Koeman did not concur with his counterpart, and declared that the young left-back was “lucky” not to concede a penalty. After that, the game reverted to its previous pattern – Southampton controlling the play, but without finding that proverbial killer pass. Jay Rodgriguez was making several decent runs however the Saints engine room were working the ball from side to side, instead of trying to slide the England international through on goal. Finally, Rodriguez did have an opportunity to notch his first Premier League goal of the season after getting on the end of a Tadić cross towards the end of the half. Despite playing in his less favoured position on the right wing, Tadić was having some joy against Chris Brunt, as he jinked inside to dink the ball to Rodriguez, but Southampton’s No 9 could only head wide.

As the second half began, Saints turned the screw as they started to move the ball around with more vigour and purpose. Several set-piece opportunities came and went, before the inevitable introduction of Berahino in the 55^th minute. He replaced Lambert who received a rousing reception from all four stands at The Hawthorns, although the same could not be said for Berahino. The wantaway striker was mainly cheered and applauded, but a noticeable portion of the home crowd voiced their disapproval of his behaviour.  Minutes later, the Baggies fans probably thought that they would gain the lead after Maarten Stekelenburg dropped an incoming set-piece, but the Dutch ‘stopper managed to throw himself on top of the ball in front of Gareth McAuley. It was a rare foray forward from West Brom, and Southampton replied as Graziano Pellè darted down the left before passing the ball across goal but the onrunning Rodriguez could not connect. Meanwhile, Van Dijk and Wanyama were particularly impressive as they broke up any West Brom counterattacking opportunities, before setting Southampton forward, yet the team as a whole lacked urgency. Mané entered the fray in place of Rodriguez, and Tadić endeavoured to engineer chances from either wing as he repeatedly crossed the ball into the box, but with little success as he rarely found a man in a green shirt. Upfront, Pellè’s holdup play deserted him at times – failing to reproduce his recent good form, as the game fizzled out. While West Brom offered very little going forward, Southampton were unable to break their resolve. Despite their inabilities in an offensive sense, Saints did have reason to be optimistic from a defensive viewpoint as they earned a third consecutive clean sheet in the league.

Man of the Match

Virgil van Dijk: The Dutch centre-back undoubtedly impressed on his debut. While José Fonte looked nervous in possession on occasion, Van Dijk was assured and composed on the ball. His physical capabilities were also under question at The Hawthorns as Salomón Rondón and Lambert gave him a warm welcome to the Premier League, but he stood up to the challenge. Both elements of his game were encapsulated in one moment in the second half, as he shouldered a West Brom player off the ball in the left-back position, before clipping the ball perfectly down the line for Tadić to run onto. There was one moment where Rondón escaped his clutches and fired wide after the Dutchman had his back to the striker, but he should have been made aware of the Venezuelan’s presence by his team-mates. It will be interesting to see how he copes with Manchester United’s frontline who will obviously pose more questions than West Brom’s attackers.

Teams and Ratings

West Brom

Myhill 6 – Dawson 6, McAuley 6, Evans 6 (Olsson 86’ N/A), Brunt 5 – McManaman 6 (McClean 61’ 5), Yacob 6, Fletcher (C) 6, Gardner 6 – Rondón 4, Lambert 6 (Berahino 55’ 5)

Bookings: Brunt

Southampton

Stekelenburg 5 – Soares 7 (Yoshida 75’ 6), Fonte (C) 5, Van Dijk 7, Targett 5 – Wanyama 7 – S. Davis 6, Ward-Prowse 6 – Tadić 7, Rodriguez 6 (Mané 67’ 6) – Pellè 5

PREVIEW: West Brom v Southampton

Unavailable: West Brom – Foster, Chester

                       Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Bertrand, Clasie

Southampton and West Brom had something in common last Tuesday, as they both firmly declined the interest of Tottenham in their respective players. While both Victor Wanyama and Saido Berahino expressed their wishes to depart, the two clubs decided that it was unacceptable to acknowledge any eleventh-hour bids for crucial players. It was a clear stand from both clubs against player power. Reportedly, Saints are particularly reluctant to conduct any business with Spurs as they now constitute a genuine rival. This Saturday, both Wanyama and Berahino will be thrust back into action, in what could prove to be an intriguing clash of tactics from Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis. It would be unjust to state that Pulis only has one strategy though. Since his Stoke exit, Pulis has employed a more diverse set of tactics including the long ball game, but also adding wing play as an important component to his approach.  

Southampton will have to be resolute against that threat on Saturday – particularly in the early knockings of the game, when West Brom will attempt to take advantage of the fact that many Saints players have been away on international duty. Moreover, Koeman will be wary of the Baggies pushing for an early lead in this game after last term’s encounter at The Hawthorns. Saints seemed lethargic as the game kicked off and the Baggies smelt blood; with Berahino scoring the only goal of the afternoon as the ball dropped to him on the edge of the area. From that point on, Southampton were unable to pierce West Brom’s stout resistance, built on rigid organisation from Pulis. Koeman switched formation from 5-3-2 to 4-2-3-1 as Florin Gardoş was sacrificed in the first half, but it was to no avail, as Saints lacked the necessary imagination to find a way back into the game. Yet it will be unlikely that Koeman should have to make such a structural change mid-game this weekend, after the success of his tactics against Norwich last time out. He elected to switch back to a fluid 4-2-3-1 after the disappointment of the “hoof it and hope” strategy in Denmark, and it paid dividends with the Canaries being blown away. The task this Saturday is somewhat more exigent though, as Saints have not won away in the Premier League in nine attempts, and Pulis will be determined to secure West Brom’s first home win of the campaign.

Key Battles

Fletcher v Ward-Prowse: It should be a classic battle in the middle of the park as old comes up against young this weekend. Veteran Premier League midfielder Fletcher is finally enjoying a good run of playing time at The Hawthorns after horrendous injury troubles, and he acts as a leader and a vital vertebra in West Brom’s spine. Often underrated at Old Trafford, Fletcher sits in the midfield and picks the ball off his centre-backs before finding teammates upfield with unerring accuracy, while also being strong in the tackle. Therefore, James Ward-Prowse will have his work cut out this Saturday, if he is to impress once more in his deeper midfield role with Oriol Romeu. The duo seemed very much compatible against Norwich as Ward-Prowse put in one of his best displays in a Saints shirt. Perhaps, he has finally found his role in the team, but this will be put to the test by Fletcher. He will have to provide a connection from the centre-backs to the No. 10 while remembering his newfound defensive responsibilities. If Ward-Prowse becomes anonymous in the game, Fletcher will undoubtedly take advantage. Koeman could decide to push Ward-Prowse further forward, but he will still need to evade Fletcher’s clutches in order to form a cohesive understanding with Graziano Pellè.

Lambert/Rondón v Fonte: Despite being an integral part of the team last season, the Southampton skipper has not replicated that form so far in this campaign. After putting in a decidedly nervous performance against Midtjylland, the Portuguese helped Saints to a clean sheet last time out, however he was not tested a great deal by the mercurial Cameron Jerome. This Saturday will prove to be more of a challenge, as he will have to prepare himself for a physical confrontation – possibly with a familiar face in the shape of Saints legend Rickie Lambert. The England international will not only be a menace in the air but also provide attractive one-touch play that his teammates can feed off. Moreover, the Liverpudlian will be desperate to put in a good shift against his former side. On the other hand, Salomón Rondón could be given the nod, but he only touched back down in England today, after travelling back from international duty. West Brom’s record signing was a prolific goalscorer in Russia, but it remains to be seen whether he can be a success in the Premier League. Having said this, his pace and power would keep Fonte occupied. Add in the challenge of having to marshal Virgil van Dijk on his Saints debut, and the possibility of Berahino feeding off either Lambert or Rondón, the Southampton captain will have to demonstrate his abilities, in order for his team to have a fruitful trip to the Black Country.

Possible Line-ups

West Brom: Lindegaard – Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt – Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher (C), McClean – Lambert, Berahino

Myhill, Yacob, Evans, Gamboa, McManaman, Gnabry, Rondón

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Targett – Romeu, Ward-Prowse – Mané, S. Davis, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Long, Rodriguez, Wanyama, Martina, Juanmi 

Former Poster Boy Surman Finally Set for St Mary’s Return

There was an unexpected name topping the ‘Completed Passes’ leader board at the close of the opening weekend in the Premier League. Bettering the efforts of Yaya Touré and David Silva, Andrew Surman found a team-mate 99 times in Bournemouth’s home defeat to Aston Villa. Remarkably, Surman has not reappeared at St Mary’s since his departure from the club in the summer of 2009. In contrast with Southampton’s constant upwards trajectory, the Bitterne boy has taken a rather different path to the top table of English football. As Surman hits the best form of his career with the Cherries, it seems an opportune moment to review the erstwhile Saints starlet’s journey on his way to becoming an established Premier League player.

In 2005, Southampton suffered the harsh pain that comes with relegation after a 27 year long stay in the top tier. Yet Surman avoided the melancholy at St Mary’s where Manchester United extinguished any hopes of a Houdini-esque escape. The youngster was being blooded at Walsall, and gained valuable first-team experience in League One before returning to Staplewood, where Harry Redknapp included him in his pre-season plans. He managed to impress in friendlies against Scottish opposition, but was shipped out on loan to a club Redknapp knew well – Bournemouth. Saints struggled in their maiden Championship campaign, yet Surman was having no such difficulties at Dean Court. Under the leadership of Sean O’Driscoll, he blossomed into an integral part of the team, which prompted new Southampton boss George Burley to recall him that January. After making a notable debut against Crystal Palace, Surman retained his place on the left side of midfield for the remainder of the season. Burley steered Saints to safety after a difficult run of games in the New Year, and Surman notched up 12 appearances and two goals.

That summer brought much excitement to the South Coast as fans warmly welcomed the arrival of Michael Wilde. The new board gave Burley license to spend, and Surman became a regular in a team boasting the talents of Rudi Skácel and Grzegorz Rasiak. This did signify that Surman’s ability to act as a utility player was put to the test though. Despite Skácel’s sporadic form, the hype surrounding his signing meant that when fit; he was automatically selected on the left side of midfield. Therefore, Surman was deployed on the other wing and was often nullified. This was undoubtedly a less favoured position for him, although he did put in one particularly memorable display on the right wing when he netted a hat-trick against Barnsley. Southampton and Surman gathered momentum as the season reached its climax, and they secured a play-off berth after a final day triumph over Southend. In the first leg, the Bitterne boy put his team ahead with a scintillating curling shot against Derby to send St Mary’s into raptures, but Saints succumbed to a penalty defeat at Pride Park.

The following season was more of a hardship for Saints but fans expected a repeat promotion charge. Placed on either side of the midfield or at left-back, Surman was a rare bright light who consistently performed as Southampton struggled. His controlled passing and intelligent link-up play was in contrast with nervous performances from some of his team-mates, who found it difficult to recapture their form from the previous season. In February, Burley jumped ship and Nigel Pearson entered the fray. Surman was a central figure for his manager and acted as an example for his fellow players to follow, as Southampton desperately attempted to avoid slipping through the trapdoor into the third tier. Now an England Under-21 international, he displayed maturity and quality in the heat of a relegation battle: this was epitomised by his performance in the left-back position during the final day victory against Sheffield United. Out of his natural position, Surman remained calm to help his team to stave off relegation.

He was powerless to prevent that fate a year later though. Saints’ youngsters honourably battled to preserve the club’s Championship status, but it was to no avail as off-field matters came to a head. Jan Poortvliet and Mark Wotte were tasked with keeping Saints up while implementing an attractive style of play, but they were to have no budget. Surman was a senior figure in a crop of young players who were often bullied out of matches. Frequently playing at left-back with the squad being stretched, he provided genuine width as Southampton adopted an expansive game, however he was often exposed as those in front of him did not track back sufficiently. Still, at the end of that season, Surman had impressed once more, and as a result was one of Southampton’s most valuable assets. Therefore, administrator Mark Fry decreed that his sale was necessary in order to bide time to save the club. Unfortunately, as a result, he narrowly missed out on the halcyon days at St Mary’s when the Markus Liebherr revolution came to pass. Inevitably, he would have been an image of the revival and added real quality in League One, yet in the moment that he moved to Wolves for £1.2 million, he became the slightly forgotten starlet.

If his final season at St Mary’s had been disappointing for Surman in terms of the team’s performance, he was to find his time at Molineux challenging for another reason. He only made seven Premier League appearances as he could not forge his way into Mick McCarthy’s plans. Doubters declared that a lack of pace and a real cutting edge to his play meant that he was unable to compete at the highest level. Surman made the decision to drop down to the Championship once more in search of first-team action, and moved to newly promoted Norwich. Under the stewardship of Paul Lambert, the Canaries played an exciting brand of football and Surman fitted in immediately at Carrow Road. For the first time in his career, he seemed to have found his favoured position in the middle of the park as he hit the ground running. Despite being somewhat stifled by niggling injuries from September, Surman played a starring role in the latter stages of the season as Norwich secured promotion. Unlike McCarthy, Lambert allowed him more of an opportunity to demonstrate his expertise in the top tier. Under the guidance of the Scot, the Canaries retained their Premier League status with Surman at the heart of the team. Comfortable and neat on the ball, the England Under-21 international helped his team to remain composed, while carving out openings for the attacking players.

Surman’s presence in the Norwich line-up was not to continue though. Riddled by injury, he endured a frustrating third season with the club – only featuring four times in the Premier League. In the summer of 2013, he sought pastures new and returned to Bournemouth for a season-long loan. It was necessary that Surman revitalised his career, and he answered his critics once more. Thriving under Eddie Howe, Surman quickly struck up an understanding with Harry Arter. The central midfield duo were pivotal to the success that the Cherries enjoyed, and his form (unperturbed by injury) persuaded the Bournemouth hierarchy to make the deal permanent. Surman repaid that fee with interest as he became an indispensable component of Howe’s team. Pundits waxed lyrical about Bournemouth’s attacking flair, and Surman was central in their fluid play propelling them to the Premier League.

In the early part of this season, Surman has started every Premier League fixture and has already exhibited his passing ability. A cultured player on the pitch, while mature off it, Surman is now at the height of his powers and finally has his St Mary’s return pencilled in. Simply put, misfortune has delayed his journey. Under Burley, he was a victim of his versatility as he was shunted out to the right side of midfield, while it was necessity that saw him often play at left-back during his last season at the club. At Wolves, Surman was undervalued by McCarthy while injury curtailed his stay in East Anglia. Finally, under Howe’s tutorship, Surman is fulfilling his potential. Had he remained at St Mary’s, he may well have been the emblem of the club’s revival, yet he has had a harder education of the brutal realities of football. He will be keen to demonstrate what he has learnt when Southampton meet Bournemouth in November.

Saints Strike Back: Episode II

As the transfer window swings shut, it is natural for pundits and fans alike to analyse clubs’ performance in the market. Once again, Southampton’s activity was under scrutiny as some predicted another summer of turbulence after the initial departures of Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne, yet the club have added strength in depth while spending the lowest net amount in the Premier League. However, this lingering question remains: will Ronald Koeman be able to mould these signings into a bright, cohesive unit for a second consecutive season?

INS: Virgil van Dijk (Celtic, £11.5m); Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord, £8m); Juanmi (Málaga, £5m); Oriol Romeu (Chelsea, £5m); Cédric Soares (Sporting Lisbon, £4.7m); Cuco Martina (FC Twente, £1m); Maarten Stekelenburg (Fulham, Loan*); Steven Caulker (QPR, Loan*)

*Loan fees undisclosed

OUTS: Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United, £25m); Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool, £12.5m); Emmanuel Mayuka (Metz, undisc.); Jos Hooiveld (AIK, Free); Artur Boruc (Bournemouth, Free); Cody Cropper (MK Dons, Free); Omar Rowe (Tower Hamlets, Free); Jake Sinclair (Hibernian, Free); Dani Osvaldo (Porto, Free); Jack Stephens (Middlesbrough, Loan); Sam Gallagher (MK Dons, Loan); Jordan Turnbull (Swindon Town, Loan)

As predictable as it was when Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne exited St Mary’s, it signalled another summer when the planning of Southampton’s recruitment team and their prophetic black box would be tested. Throw in the somewhat unanticipated decision of Toby Alderweireld to join Tottenham and it became even more challenging. The permanent addition of the Belgian international would have laid a clear marker down that Saints would not be bullied by the so called “big boys” but the club had been gazumped at the final hurdle according to Les Reed. It was necessary that Southampton were quick and efficient in bringing new players to St Mary’s – but not necessarily identical replacements. Southampton are more concerned with finding a player who shares the club’s philosophy and shows undeniable potential. Furthermore, an identical replacement for a fully-fledged international commands a certain fee. For example, obviously with the departure of Clyne, Saints had need of a first choice right back but this did not signify that the club would purchase a carbon copy of the player at the exact same point in their development. In fact, Clyne’s purchase from Crystal Palace was a particularly pertinent precedent for this strategy. In Southampton’s solitary season in the Championship, Nigel Adkins pinpointed Clyne’s lack of heading ability as a weakness in Palace’s backline and Rickie Lambert was instructed to lurk on the full back’s shoulder. Lambert scored while Saints employed this tactic but the club recognised Clyne’s obvious attacking flair. His positioning improved vastly meaning that his aerial inability was rarely exploited during his time at St Mary’s. The club landed Cédric Soares at a fraction of the fee they received for Clyne and while his slight figure has been commented on by fans, he displayed his offensive abilities during Sunday’s game against Norwich. He may be exposed while sprinting forward during the early parts of his Saints career as he adjusts to the defensive requirements of the Premier League, but with time he will come to grips with the pace of England’s top tier. Moreover, the signing of Curaçao international Cuco Martina provides genuine competition for the Portuguese. Erwin Koeman knows the right back from their time together at RKC Waalwijk and he allows Saints a luxury they did not have last season – a deputy orthodox right back, while his versatility is a real bonus for the squad. His crossing ability has been questioned in some corners though.

Furthermore, Southampton have obtained the services of two centre backs – Steven Caulker on loan from QPR and Virgil van Dijk from Celtic. Van Dijk’s arrival has been long awaited. The deadline day signing is the archetypal ball playing centre back. The Scottish media heaped praise on him as he offered another dimension to Celtic’s play bringing the ball out of defence while forming a strong partnership with Manchester City loanee Jason Denayer. However, he has been criticised after the Glasgow club’s acrimonious departures from the Champions League as he left gaps which were capitalised on by higher opposition. Moreover, it is not sure that he will form a coherent double act with José Fonte, who also ventures into the opposition half occasionally, but Van Dijk is a left sided centre back and an understanding should flourish with time. Caulker will be keen to challenge for that left sided position as well though as the England international will feel he has something to prove after consecutive relegations. He showed extraordinary promise during a loan spell with Swansea a few years ago with towering performances which demonstrated great maturity but his career has since been unsettled as his two previous clubs have suffered demotions. His early form for Southampton has shown a lack of confidence giving Maya Yoshida a run in the team but he will have further opportunities to exhibit his talents. Behind the centre backs, Saints have recruited Maarten Stekelenburg on loan from Fulham. The Dutch ‘keeper who turned out for Holland in their World Cup Final defeat in 2010 also has something to prove after a few challenging years including relegation with the West London club and an unproductive loan spell at Monaco. The early signs have been promising though and his distribution has been a particular highlight. While Fraser Forster remains a long-term absentee, it was an astute move from Saints to bring Stekelenburg in.

Furthermore, Southampton signed another Dutchman from Feyenoord – Jordy Clasie. Unfortunately, the midfield maestro has been injured since the home game against Vitesse however he will be available shortly and Ronald Koeman will be glad of this. Clasie’s passing ability will create many an opening for Saints’ attacking players to launch onto and fans will be hopeful that Clasie will be able to make the jump up from the Eredivisie after Graziano Pellè and Dušan Tadić successfully made the transition last season. He has already gained international recognition and while not a prolific goalscorer, he will compliment Victor Wanyama or Oriol Romeu well. In fact, the former Chelsea man is currently looking to oust Wanyama from his starting position. After the Kenyan requested a transfer away from St Mary’s and watched the Norwich game from the stands, Romeu was hugely impressive. His tough tackling and simple passing game calmed Saints and allowed the full backs to race down the wings safe in the knowledge that the Spaniard would be able to cover them. His fellow countryman Juanmi has not had a great chance to parade his talent yet however during the Vitesse contest, he showed wonderful composure to tee up Shane Long, and briefly took advantage of the tiring Andre Wisdom on Sunday. Moreover, his goalscoring record at Málaga was more than adequate for a man of his age and his pace and trickery could provide an interesting foil for Pellè. In terms of departures, Sam Gallagher's temporary move away from the club is disappointing as he would have offered another alternative to Pellè but he will gain valuable experience under Karl Robinson playing an attractive brand of football with MK Dons.

In summary, it is clear that the club have enjoyed another successful window under difficult circumstances. While remaining firm and refusing the sale of Wanyama or Sadio Mané, they have shown once again that they will only sell at the right price and the right time. Furthermore, they have kept to their mantra of buying players who they are already aware will be in keeping with the club’s philosophy – The Southampton Way. In this manner, when a player leaves, the club is prepared, and goes on. It is a matter of evolution at St Mary’s – not revolution.