As we enter the November international break, our series of 2015-16 team progress reports continues with an examination of Southampton’s season so far.
What has gone right?
Sitting seventh on the table with 21 points coming from five wins, five draws and two losses, Saints fans can be pretty happy with their position especially given their shaky performances early on in the season. Having not lost a game since midway through September and registering consistently good form in the last seven rounds, the South Coast club has been playing well enough to worry any opponent. The Saints also have the benefit of having nearly their full playing roster fit and available for selection, with the likes of Ryan Bertrand and Jordy Clasie making it back into the starting XI after injuries disrupted the start of their campaigns. Additions to the squad in the form of Cédric Soares, Jordy Clasie, Virgil van Dijk and Maarten Stekelenburg (though probably just a placeholder for the injured Fraser Forster) have all slotted into the lineup well and are seeming to have adequately covered the big losses the squad suffered in the offseason.
What has gone wrong?
A lacklustre start to the season and a disappointing Europa League campaign led to a poor opening month for the team from St. Mary’s. In the Premier League, Koeman’s men suffered a crushing 3-0 loss to Everton and two draws with Newcastle and Watford, in which their opposition certainly seemed the better value for the point. In the Europa League, they have been bested by Danish side FC Midtjylland over two legs to see any continental ambitions swiftly quashed. The Saints were disjointed and key players were repeatedly turning in poor performances. Captain José Fonte looked out of sorts in the heart of defence, Sadio Mané struggled to find himself space and Graziano Pellè too often was missing the target from the chances created. Attacking players filling in from the bench have not yet really seemed up to the standard to have any influential role in the Saints’ campaign, with Juanmi and Jay Rodriguez failing to make any sort of impression.
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Best player – Virgil van Dijk
So great the influence that the Dutch centre-half has had that he ranks as the best player, in spite of only coming into the side at the end of the transfer window and making appearances in eight of the Saints’ 12 games so far. Having already scored twice, and looking a constant threat from a set piece, the tall central-defender undoubtedly adds a new dimension to the team’s attack. The far greater contribution comes defensively though, with the addition of van Dijk making the back four look far surer and offering vast improvement on a badly out-of-form Maya Yoshida and an, as yet, unimpressive Steven Caulker. The former Celtic player often covered his defensive partner Fonte whilethe latter played himself back into form and on many occasions has offered reprieve to players in his side’s defence, with quick and effective cover to atone for their errors.
74% – @VirgilvDijk has a better duel success percentage than any other Premier League player this season (with 25+ duels). Big.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 12, 2015
What is next?
The next 12-games for Southampton perhaps look a little more difficult on paper than the previous three months. Away matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal are all difficult prospects, as are visits from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal to St. Mary’s. The team also faces some opponents in similar standing on the table in West Ham and Crystal Palace, though this poses great opportunity to secure themselves in the top-half and even push towards making claim to a Europa League position.
Fans can look forward to the hopeful return of first choice goalkeeper Fraser Forster much earlier than expected after suffering a horror knee injury last season. Should Forster take the gloves back an impressive four or so months ahead of schedule and the side does not pickup any other injuries to key players, Koeman will have essentially his best starting XI available for selection, week-in and week-out.
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