After a dreadful start to the season, lacking in both points and attacking inspiration, Southampton have seemed to turned a corner in recent times. Prior to Saturday’s shock defeat at Norwich, the Saints have shown they are able to cut their teeth against sides of their own stature.
A much-needed win against fellow strugglers Leeds United on October 16 saw the mood in the changing room change dramatically and suddenly the inevitability of relegation lessened. But what caused this sudden turn in form which has lifted them to mid-table obscurity?
Attacking impetus
Some could make a very strong case for Armando Broja spearheading the new attack. With Ings leaving in the summer, there were huge questions over whether Adam Armstrong and Che Adams would be able to step up to the mark.
While those questions still remain, Broja has come out of the shadows and taken the south coast by storm. Currently the club’s joint-top goalscorer, the Albanian has been a shining light this season. When they switched to a one-striker formation, Ralph Hasenhuttl needed his frontman to take his opportunities – and Broja proved he can do just that.
This new trust in Broja has seen other players have their game become more free to their own individual styles. Nathan Redmond and Mohammed Elyounoussi have been able to drift inside from the wings and offer new directions of attack as they confuse the opposition defence with their movement.
The last three matches though have seen Armstrong and Adams preferred in attack – coinciding with six points from a possible six.
Defensive improvements
Despite the improvements in attack, many concur that Southampton’s better form as come as a result of a more solidified defence.
Despite being 13th in the Premier League, they have the joint seventh-best defensive record – having only conceded 14 goals in 12 games. Young stars Mohammed Salisu and Tino Livramento have taken the league by storm. Paired with the more experienced Jan Bednarek and Kyle Walker-Peters, there is the perfect blend of youthful energy and mature know-how to help guide the backline through any difficulty they may face.
Of course, credit has to be given to Hasenhuttl for keeping his cool when there was a lot of media speculation that he would be replaced by Eddie Howe (who is now Newcastle’s new boss).
Instead of panicking and trying to earn a scrappy win, he continued to persist with his style of play while gently adjusting it to tweak out anything that wasn’t working. Many lesser managers have crumbled under such scrutiny but the Austrian answered the call in style. His patient possession-based play dismantled Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and took Chelsea to a penalty shootout in last month’s League cup tie. Considering the difference in reputation between Chelsea and Leeds compared to Southampton, these results look even more impressive when you realise that James Ward-Prowse was suspended for both fixtures. With the Southampton icon now back, Ward-Prowse has helped join up the midfield – which is arguably the weakest point of this Saints’ side.
While only 12 games have gone and relegation is still a threat, it does appear that Southampton have turned a corner recently and may yet have a very positive season.
By Joshua Stewart
