Despite leading Southampton to the League Cup final and eighth place in the Premier League, Claude Puel was dispensed with because of his cautious approach and the lack of entertainment on offer. His side ended the season with a negative goal difference and having failed to score in five of their last six games. It was a marked departure from previous years, when Southampton’s return to the top flight was characterised by a cavalier spirit.
Surprisingly, in came Mauricio Pellegrino, a manager not famed for his attacking ambition. Last year, under his guidance, Alaves finished in the top half of La Liga with just 41 goals scored, precisely the same number as Southampton. So far his new team are running at a rate of less than a goal a game and have failed to find the net on four occasions. While Crystal Palace’s attacking struggles have garnered more attention, Southampton’s stretch back even further.
Goals and points are the hard currency that football deals in. Subjective matters like style of play are heavily debated but essentially a means to an end. For all the current focus on dominating possession and outpassing opponents, their only worth resides in the chances they enable a team to create and ultimately convert. Being easy on the eye is a secondary concern, undoubtedly important but never something that should detract from the main aim.
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Looking at Southampton’s squad, there is no shortage of theoretical firepower. For all his limitations, Charlie Austin is still one of the league’s purest finishers and Manolo Gabbiadini appeared sharp in his initial outings, scoring in his first four games for the club. In contrast, Shane Long’s game has never been primarily about goals. He’s a tremendous athlete in terms of pace, power and aerial threat, stretching opposition defences and being a general nuisance that others can profit from.
Their last game against Stoke ended with all three on the pitch, as well as tricky attacking midfielders Dusan Tadic and Sofiane Boufal, but Southampton couldn’t force an equaliser. For all their intent and possession – they had a remarkable 71% on Saturday and have had the lion’s share in every game this season – they still look toothless. After getting into good positions, all too often the final ball has been poor and promising moves have broken down around the edge of the box.
It’s a source of much frustration. The opening game of the season set the tone, with Southampton utterly dominant but unable to find a breakthrough at home to Swansea. There were 29 shots, just two of which were on target, and a single point to show for their efforts at the end of the day. Of the five goals they have scored in the Premier League under Pellegrino, two were penalties and one, Maya Yoshida’s smart finish on Saturday, originated from a corner.
Southampton have a lot of technically excellent footballers to call on but some of the most capable, Tadic and Nathan Redmond chief amongst them, don’t make telling contributions regularly enough. Although both should be targeting double figures, only 10 were scored between them in the league last season. Club record signing Boufal is another who has much more to offer and will be needed as Southampton attempt to rouse themselves after the international break.
