It’s always a joy to witness your home team doing well, but a joy indeed that I cannot often relish. As a Southampton fan, the red and white stripes aren’t often the sort of flying colours soaring up the league table, but this season, Ronald Koeman has offered us woeful supporters a peppering of something extra special as the Saints march on.
Against Queens Park Rangers, Saints weren’t going to be under too much pressure, and rightly, they emerged elegantly as the far superior side. But, of course, I’m sure many would agree that winning against QPR was of the utmost importance for tactical reasons off the pitch, too; putting the red in Redknapp was paramount, to show our ex-boss that he really was entirely lacklustre and Koeman has stumbled upon the desired formula. The grumpy, sagging face of Mr. Harry Redknapp was wiped clean of any smiles after Saints had finished; in manner of glorious whirling dervish, the men putting my south coast hometown on the Premier League map really cleaned up at St. Mary’s.
However, 2-1 was a seriously meagre outcome for the amount of tantalising opportunities (they should have achieved at least six goals, with QPR probably also grabbing another). After Graziano Pellè’s lack of goals last week, I had a well-informed hunch that the Italian would have his wicked way and score for Saints once more. Not only did this benefit the scoreboard, boosting the outcome to a position of victory for Saints, but I acquired a stonking amount of additional Fantasy Football points after promoting Pellè to captain status.
The events of Saturday’s explosive Saints – QPR meeting left a rather sweet taste in the mouth; from astonishing pivots to excellent debuts, both teams were able to put on a show. However, as previously stated with no (real) bias, Saints were more indomitable.
Throughout the majority of the game, I found myself feeling ever more disappointed for Dušan Tadić; not in the Serbian himself, but that his chances were snuffed out almost instantly. Two outrageously close shots on target spring to mind, the first involving that darned crossbar getting in the way – doesn’t it always? Tadić has been largely instrumental in the progression of Saints this season, and it was simply unfortunate that his hypnotic attempts on goal just did not run parallel to accomplishment in this universe. Two potential remarkable goals of which Saints sadly didn’t earn, but really should have. Tadić’s spell so far under Koeman has been thoroughly fruitful, and with the spark and determination I know is entrenched within him, he should return to his spritely self soon enough.
The first game played by Senegalese midfielder, Sadio Mané, offered a glimpse into the future; the 22-year-old was actively seeking to hook players in attacking stance up with the ball, and therefore, glittered with potential. His oozing ability was coupled at one point with the might and tenacity of Ryan Bertrand extremely effectively in the 54th minute, with the Chelsea loan knocking a sublime ball into the back of the net. The mega skills of Mr. Bertrand are allegedly to stay in the clutches of Saints, as rumours and whispers suggest that his contract at Chelsea might be terminated in favour of a permanent spot with Koeman and co. I for one would be chuffed if this materialised as the case.
I must retain an element of objectivity at this moment and doff my cap to one Charlie Austin, the QPR man with a stunning swivel. His totally graceful, yet certainly plucky, dink-turn-whack action in the box was wowing, and too bold for Fraser Forster’s mitts. This was one hell of an equaliser.
Austin’s silky finish was all too quickly outfoxed by Pellè, the dedicated, diligent striker Saints have been so privileged to sign; his wonderful smash in behind Robert Green was fast, precocious, and rather dangerous. However, height quibbles aside, Saints’ second and final goal of the match was cutting and powerful all at once. Pellè had done it again.
The fixture harboured all of the necessary ingredients for another display of Saints’ new flawless form, however crushing it was to see Tadić fail on two occasions. Such niggles don’t often last long, as players are entitled to have a less pleasing game. Bertrand and Mané linked up to create something superb, and it’s this sort of innovative play that has given Saints their edge of late, and thus, their current position ranking second place in the division. The table doesn’t lie.
Where we are gliding forward, other Dutch managers, say, Louis van Gaal, are having a rougher trot. He was hailed ‘tactical genius’ by pundits, as though he was the don of all calculated training, yet his team (for those new to the sport, you might be unfamiliar with Manchester United – is it ringing any bells?) aren’t enjoying the same success at Saints.
But it wouldn’t be the first instance that a face of footballing analysis recoiled; big thanks to Phil Neville for openly regretting assuming Saints would be nothing after relinquishing our ‘bigger’ players.
As a fan sitting on something fluffy in the province of Cloud Nine, it’s crucial that we don’t get ahead of ourselves, and certainly that we don’t become complacent. We are one of the smaller teams, we don’t usually make it especially far in the Premier League, but we are now second. Let’s just roll with the punches… well, kicks.
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