Southampton’s inconsistent start to the season has left the club languishing out of the top 10 and in the relegation zone in 18th position on the table. As the pressure grows on new manager Mauricio Pellegrino, the Saints will feel that 5 wins in twenty seven matches are far from the start they were hoping for. They have collected 26 points from their twenty seven game weeks and will be hoping to change their luck soon. The club appears to be flirting with danger as they are already a point behind safety zone and will now have to work hard if they want to enjoy the riches of the Premier League next season.
After a tumultuous summer, that oversaw the arrival of Manuel Pellegrino replacing Claude Puel at the helm of the club and a legal complaint filed against Liverpool over the Virgil Van Dijk saga, the new manager did not get the desired calm and peace required to settle in and implement his philosophy at St. Mary’s. Southampton also oversaw the departure of a few club regulars like Jay Rodriguez, Lloyd Isgrove and Jordy Clasie. Of the new signings, the limelight went to the man arriving from Juventus, Mario Lemina.
The Saints’ star defender Van Dijk has now finally left the club. Liverpool were one of the many clubs interested in securing the Dutch defender’s service but their initial move was a little too aggressive for Southampton’s liking who went on to take legal action against the Merseyside club, thereby formally putting an end to Liverpool’s attempt to sign the defender for the time being. However, Liverpool has corrected their mistake this time around and paid Southampton a monstrous 75 million pounds for Van Dijk.
This has left Pellegrino as the manager at a club who simply has failed to overcome the distractions of the outside world to perform as a unit. Another major issue of concern at St. Mary’s this season has been the lack of goal threat posed by the forward line. The Saints have scored 28 goals in 27 matches in the league, averaging a little over 1 goal per game.
With a crunch tie against West Brom round the corner, here is how Southampton will want to set it up.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Fraser Forster can be expected in goal. The defence is expected to by marshalled by Ryan Bertrand at left back, Cedric Soares at right back and Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens at centre back.
Midfield
Oriel Romeu alongside Mario Lemina can be expected as the holding midfielders. Dusan Tadic to play on the left flanks with James Ward-Prowse on the right and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg behind the striker.
Attack
Guido Carrillo can be expected to lead the line.
