What a month it was for Southampton in August. Following a busy summer in which the Saints signed Moussa Djenepo, Che Adams, Danny Ings, and Kevin Danso, Southampton entered the 2019/20 English Premier League campaign with high hopes. Still under the leadership of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, they have their eyes set on a top-half finish.
Southampton in August
A Tale of Two Forms: Saints’ Home and Away Form
Opening their Premier League campaign against Burnley, Southampton were expected to have a good performance at the fortress known as Turf Moor. Were we wrong. Turning in their worst performance under Ralph Hasenhuttl, the Saints sunk to a 3-0 defeat against Burnley.
Struggling to make an impact all across the pitch, the feeling of doom began to set in. That feeling continued to grow till the following week when Southampton played host to rival’s Liverpool. Despite the fact that they would go on to lose their second straight match, the Saints performance in this game gave the supporters something to hang on too.
That turn in form almost crashed the following Saturday when Southampton took on South Coast rival Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Starting the match extremely poorly, Southampton majorly benefited from a first half red card to Florin Andone. Following the red card, the Saints gradually improved an eventually ended up taking a 2-0 victory back to St. Mary’s.
To conclude their August Premier League fixtures list, Southampton would play host to Manchester United. Despite conceding a goal early on in the match, they battled back to tie the game 1-1. A late second half red card for Kevin Danso was then followed by a superb defensive performance. Making a number of quality saves, Angus Gunn kept Southampton in the match and helped earn them a 1-1 draw.
Also during the month of August, Southampton advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory on the road at Fulham. Entering the third round draw, Southampton would be paired off against South Coast rivals Portsmouth. The match between the two hated rivals will be their first since 2012 and is seen as a crown jewel fixture for the month of September.
Southampton’s Biggest Underachiever
During the month of August, Southampton players turned in a range of performances. While certain players performed well, other’s found themselves struggling throughout. However, no player underachieved more than England international and Saints Academy product James Ward-Prowse.
Starting each of Southampton’s five matches in August, Ward-Prowse has established himself under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Seeing a major turn in form once the Austrian manager took charge last season, expectations for Prowsey were extremely high. Thus far however, the young Englishman has failed to come close to these expectations.
Struggling in his delivery and lacking pace to truly threaten along the wing, Ward-Prowse has failed to make an impact. While he does remain one of the game’s best dead ball strikers, Ward-Prowse will need to improve his form if he wants to continue on as a permanent fixture inside Southampton’s starting XI.
Southampton’s August Player of the Month
Continuing to star for Southampton this past month, captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has truly asserted himself as a true leader for this Saints side. Playing in his usual midfield role, the Danish international has continued to turn in his usual strong performances. Remaining a focal point in both defence and attack, Hojbjerg has maintained his position as the heart and soul of this team.
Impressively, Hojbjerg has extended his great run of form while playing as a left back. Forced to play an unknown position, Hojbjerg was dominant against in the Carabao Cup match at Fulham. Following Kevin Danso’s sending off against Manchester United, Hojbjerg once again turned in a great performance at left back.
Combining these performances with his overall leadership and play, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is unquestionably, Southampton’s August Player of the Month.
Southampton Supporters August Player of the Month
A new addition to our monthly reviews this season will be a fans’ player of the month award. Voted on during a Twitter poll, this month’s fans player of the month for Southampton was England international Nathan Redmond.
Vote Here to help select the Southampton Fan's August Player of the Month! #SaintsFC
— Robert Molnar (@SaintRJRM) September 3, 2019
Playing extremely well for most of the month, Nathan Redmond concluded the month of August with a goal and an assist to his name. This comes despite the fact that Redmond missed Southampton’s match against Manchester United through injury.
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