Unavailable:
Stoke – Bardsley, Johnson, Wilson
Southampton – Gardoş, Rodriguez, Wanyama,
Austin, Fonte
Low on confidence. Check. Missing key players.
Check. Only firing on about one cylinder. Check. Yes, it is just about the
worst time that Southampton could rock up to the Britannia. In another turn
this season (in fact a rather predictable one as Saints’ form has yo-yoed like
West Brom in the 2000s), Ronald Koeman’s men are now struggling once again. Within
the space of a week after a narrow and unlucky loss to Chelsea, Saints suffered
from a lack of fight at Bournemouth, and a lack of ingenuity against
Sunderland.
Of course, one does not simply tiptoe through
a Sam Allardyce side – that privilege has to be earned through doing the hard
graft. That part was achieved successfully. With Jordy Clasie back in the team
alongside Oriol Romeu with Steven Davis in front, there was plenty of hustle
and bustle in the engine room, but when it came down to it, the necessary spark
deserted Saints. The home fans only woke up after Fraser Forster misjudged a free-kick
that rattled the post such was the lack of anything at all happening on the pitch
in the first half. In fact, their side only really stirred in the final five
minutes after José Fonte had been dismissed, and Jermain Defoe had ever so
predictably knicked a goal. The equaliser was actually of a very high standard.
Stoppage time levellers are usually of poor quality – a ball lumped long and
someone prodding it home (à la Papa Waigo’s effort in the dying embers of the
JPT Area semi-final), but the build-up was intricate, and it was an extremely
satisfactory moment when Virgil van Dijk leathered the ball past Vito Mannone.
So what were these newfound problems? To
start with, after an excellent return, Forster has suffered from a lack of
confidence with regards to indecision after Chelsea’s equaliser a fortnight
ago. The invincibility he felt running through his veins for a month or so has
left him. But that will return – with time – the England international has
endured a real ordeal over the last year, and it was remarkable in the manner
that he came back to create a club record.
The main issue last Saturday was the lopsided
nature of the formation. Koeman had evidently put his side into a 4-2-3-1, but
while Dušan Tadić operated effectively on the left touchline, Sadio Mané often stood
just to the right of Davis who was in the No 10 role. In the first-half, the Senegalese
was also extremely languid (but at least he perked up in the second period). This
meant that little came from that wing, while Ryan Bertrand and Tadić were the
only players who were having any sort of joy. Davis playing in the hole also
poses problems. While he is an accomplished, tidy player who is superb as the
third central-midfielder (and is only behind Van Dijk for Player of the Season
currently); he lacks the driving, incisive presence which is required. Meanwhile,
Graziano Pellè put in a decent shift, but still couldn’t link up sufficiently
with his team-mates on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, you just get the
feeling that his Saints career is fizzling out…
So. Much to be fixed before this Saturday,
and a trip to the Potteries. Stoke have been impressive this season if not pretty
inconsistent. While their spine remains strong and durable, their attacking
flair is entrancing. Saints will have to be firm, and clever when breaking. A
pacey counter attack could unlock the home defence – especially with Shane Long
running in behind.
Key
Battles
Diouf v
Yoshida: Maya
Yoshida is more than capable of being a solid enough replacement centre-back.
If Florin Gardoş comes back with some accomplished performances, then the two
can battle it out to be centre-back no 3, but the criticism fired at the
Japanese is far too harsh. Slow on the turn he may be, but he is a lot more
competent than most give him credit for. He is just simply not a full-back, and
should never, ever be played there – unless in a complete emergency. On
Saturday, he will have an opportunity in his natural position with José Fonte
suspended. Mame Biram Diouf is an awkward customer blessed with pace and power,
but Yoshida just needs to track his movement carefully, and if caught out over
the top, then his communication with Virgil van Dijk will need to be on point.
Imbula
v Clasie: Saints
were heavily linked with Giannelli Imbula as a potential Morgan Schneiderlin
replacement in the summer, but Ronald Koeman opted for compatriot Jordy Clasie,
while Imbula went to Porto, and flopped – badly. Stoke snapped him up quickly
at an affordable price before his stock rose again, and it was smart recruiting
from the Potters. The Frenchman is incisive and powerful, and has the ability
to dominate the midfield. This Saturday, Clasie will have to vindicate Koeman’s
decision. The Dutchman is improving gradually, and has now shown that he is
tough in the tackle, yet he is still not picking the ball up and dictating play.
Stoke will be a harsh acid test of how far he has come in adjusting to the rigours
of the Premier League.
Possible
Line-ups
Stoke: Butland – Cameron, Shawcross
(C), Wollscheid, Pieters – Imbula, Adam – Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautović – Diouf
Haugaard, Muniesa, Whelan, Joselu, Afellay,
Walters, Crouch
Southampton: Forster –
Martina, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand – Romeu, Clasie, S. Davis (C) – Long, Mané
– Pellè
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