Richard Dean
Updated on: October 15, 2024 10:14 pm GMT
Did you know that Southampton’s playing style in the Premier League is drawing comparisons to giants like Manchester City? Under the leadership of manager Russell Martin, the Saints are bringing an aggressive, possession-focused approach to their games that has set them apart since their promotion.
Southampton’s Style of Play
Russell Martin’s managerial philosophy has already made waves in the Premier League. Last season, Southampton smashed records for average possession, successful passes per game, and passing accuracy in the Championship. Now that they are back in the Premier League, they have not wavered from this approach.
Currently, Southampton ranks at the top of five essential metrics for newly promoted teams since the 2003-04 season, showcasing their commitment to an attractive style of play. The only teams outperforming them this season in passing accuracy and multi-pass sequences are Manchester City, a testament to how well Southampton is adapting.
However, while their possession stats are impressive, there is a pressing concern. Only 22 percent of their open-play sequences have led to a shot on goal. For comparison, Manchester City and Liverpool convert 40 percent and 36 percent of their sequences into shots, respectively.
Additionally, Southampton’s focus on possession has come with drawbacks. They have conceded the most errors leading to shots (6) and goals (4) so far this season.
Recent Tactical Changes
In light of these issues, Martin has recently shifted the team’s formation from a 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1. This change aims to add a more direct and narrow approach, which resulted in an uplifting performance against Ipswich, where they achieved their highest expected goals score of 2.49 in a game this season.
The tactical switch has shown promise, as Southampton has avoided conceding errors that lead to shots in their last two matches. As the team adapts to the Premier League, fans are beginning to see signs of improvement.
Upcoming Match: Bournemouth vs. Southampton
Southampton will face AFC Bournemouth on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 8 PM. Fans can watch this intriguing matchup live on Sky Sports. Bournemouth comes into the game after struggling recently, winning only one of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Bournemouth’s Injury and Suspension Update:
– Head coach Andoni Iraola will serve a one-game ban due to accumulating three yellow cards.
– Midfielder Tyler Adams is ruled out, while the team awaits updates on other players.
Southampton’s Team News:
– Will Smallbone and Kamaldeen Sulemana are sidelined with injuries, but Smallbone might return for the following match against Arsenal.
– Jack Stephens is serving the final game of his three-match suspension.
Head-to-Head Records
Historically, Bournemouth has struggled in home fixtures against Southampton, winning only once in their last five Premier League encounters. In the last three visits to Bournemouth, the Saints have emerged victorious without conceding a single goal.
- Key Stats:
– Bournemouth’s Recent Performance: The Cherries have won just one of their last nine matches.
– Home Matches Against Newly Promoted Teams: Before this season, Bournemouth was unbeaten in 19 home matches against newly promoted teams, with 11 wins and 7 draws.
As the two teams prepare for battle, Southampton fans will be eager to see if their team can build on recent tactical improvements and possibly secure their first win of the Premier League season.
Conclusion
Southampton seems to be moving in the right direction with Russell Martin as their coach. They play well with the ball, but now they need to work on scoring goals and making fewer mistakes. As they get ready to play against Bournemouth, both teams really need to win to boost their seasons. Fans will be eager to see if the changes the team has made will help them succeed. Southampton’s journey in the Premier League has just started, but there are reasons to feel hopeful as they adjust to this level of play.
