Fans and pundits alike identified the striker position as a potential problem for the Saints this season and it seems that the weakness is coming to the fore in recent games.
Going into the 2015-16 campaign it looked that Ronald Koeman would be looking for the bulk of attacking prowess to come from Graziano Pellè. This was by no means a bad idea. The Italian front man had a solid first season at St. Mary’s and had he not suffered a lean patch, he could have challenged for the Golden Boot. The problem was not with the first choice front man but with a lack of other options.
The only other recognised out-and-out striker in the squad was Shane Long who spent the majority of his recent minutes out wide and rarely used as a solo striker. The Republic of Ireland international has proven that he is a quality player across his time in the Premier League, but operating as the number nine in the Saints’ system would not really appear to suit his game style. Known for his pace and movement, the 28-year-old would have to play a much more anchored style and fill in for a far stronger and more aerially adept Pellè. Highlighting the game against Manchester City, Long had a good game, even managing to get on the scoresheet, but it looked like the Saints needed a focal point for their attack, somebody to hold up and distribute the ball up front.
Other options touted at the start of the season were new signing Juanmi and long-term absent Jay Rodriguez. Using Juanmi to lead the line was always going to be a stretch as he usually operates sitting in behind a striker and does not have the physical presence to successfully play centre-forward in Koeman’s system. Not yet starting a Premier League game and only scraping a few minutes here and there, it would appear that the Spaniard has not yet done enough to get himself a starting position let alone a solo striker gig.
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Rodriguez on the other hand seemed a much more promising option, looking good in preseason matches and although far more effective out wide, the Englishman can lead the line. Before joining the Saints from Burnley, Rodriguez operated mainly as a centre-forward and did so again on occasion after signing for the club. Built a little more imposingly than Juanmi, the England international certainly had the potential to fill in for an absent Pellè, but, the 26-year-old has found minutes hard to come by, being in the midst of a lengthy layoff due to an ankle injury.
The only remaining option that Koeman appeared to have at his disposal at the beginning of the season was youngster Sam Gallagher. Fans will remember him from the 2013-14 season in which the then 18-year-old made 18 appearances for the South Coast side, the majority off the bench. Battling with injury throughout the 2014-15 term, the Englishman failed to make a single senior appearance and even struggled for minutes in the under-21s. Any ideas of the young man making an impression this season seem a stretch with Gallagher being loaned out to Championship side MK Dons for the season. Finding it difficult to assert himself as a starter and yet to find the back of the net, it is rumoured both parties may be looking to end the stay prematurely, though this seeing Gallagher into the Saints’ senior setup looks unlikely.
Pellè has been a good option for Koeman so far this campaign, scoring six goals in his 14 appearances, but recent times show how injury or a dip in form could massively impact the team from St. Mary’s. Rumours are already circulating around possible midseason signings to bolster attacking options and it would be negligent to say that Koeman seems oblivious to the problem but supporters and critics alike realise the gaping hole in the Southampton team sheet.
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