Southampton have always been one of the most unpredictable sides in the Premier League, especially with Danny Ings upfront. One week, they could be mercilessly dethroning one of the big six; the next, they could be on the end of an embarrassing result. Their unpredictable, yet entertaining, nature was once again prominent in the 2019-20 Premier League season; a season where Danny Ings shone brightest to create one of the stories of the season.
The Year Danny Ings Took Centre Stage – a Review of Southampton’s Season
Southampton Player of the Season: Danny Ings
Southampton’s Player of The Season award doesn’t include many candidates, but it was only ever going to go to one man: Danny Ings.
The former Liverpool man, fresh from injury woes, joined Southampton in search of better days ahead. And better days are exactly what he has had.
The Englishman netted a total of 22 goals in the Premier League to singlehandedly keep Southampton afloat at times and see off another chapter in what is becoming some story.
Expectations were low for Danny Ings; injuries had seemingly put a halt to any success.
Yet, a year later, and he is on the verge of an England call up after outscoring captain Kane himself.
Without knowing it at the time, Ralph Hassenhütll stumbled across arguably the Premier League’s most clinical forward.
The Saints, though an average season on a whole, will appreciate the spotlight rightfully shining on the man finally emulating the previous prowess of Matt Le Tissier.
Record-Breaking Defeat to Signal a Significant Turning Point
Despite Danny Ings’ form throughout the season, there was a time when Southampton were edging all too close to the dropzone. After a record-breaking 9-0 defeat at home against Leicester City, Ralph Hassenhüttl’s side found themselves floundering in the bottom three.
Absolutely humiliated, the natural thing to do by Southampton would have been to show Hasenhüttl the door.
The same punishment has been handed to Southampton bosses in far less dire situations, so many assumed the sacking was imminent.
Yet, as the players handed their day’s wages over to charity following the result, those in charge at Southampton made the crucial decision to trust Hassenhüttl.
Since then, it’s fair to say, the trust has more than been repaid.
The day of the humiliation turned out to be the day Southampton’s season finally got underway.
They followed the defeat with wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, games that saw the net bulge via a Danny Ings strike once more.
But, it was the game against Leicester at the King Power that confirmed the stunning midseason turnaround.
The Ultimate Redemption
Going into the game, Leicester were still chasing Champions League qualification with October’s record-breaking victory playing a part towards that.
Meanwhile, Southampton, months after defeat, were on the up and had bounced back incredibly since the humiliating night.
With wins over Spurs and Chelsea under their belt, too, the chance to redeem themselves couldn’t have come at a better time for Southampton. The game summed up Southampton’s newfound resilience, too, as Dennis Praet opened the scoring.
Before, that goal would have signalled the beginning of a difficult afternoon. This was a Southampton side who had been through the hell of embarrassment to come out the other side, however, and, instead of crumbling, rose from the ashes of potential defeat towards the redemption of victory.
Stuart Armstrong’s first-half goal alongside a Danny Ings strike with 10 minutes to go sent the Southampton season full circle: from record-breaking defeat and the depths of the drop zone to stunning victory against the same team to put them in the comforts of mid-table.
Hassenhüttl’s men then went onto to beat Manchester City towards the end of the campaign to cap off a classic season of two halves.
What Next for Danny Ings and Southampton?
After finishing 11th this season, Southampton will be keen to ensure a top-half finish next time out. They must put an end to the constant early-season battle against the drop zone; they must progress into a comfortable Premier League side once more.
And, with Danny Ings’ goals at the forefront, Southampton could once again be the cause of several upsets next season.
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