The Premier League is off this weekend, with another international break hitting the pause button on the season. Current from has Southampton streaking into the break having won five of six league matches. They are unbeaten in that stretch.
The Saints are playing some excellent football right now. They sit fourth in the table, despite losing their first two matches of the season. Their current unbeaten run has shown their attacking versatility. This squad has turned things around since a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the second weekend of fixtures. Since then they have been one of the most in-form teams in the top flight.
Southampton Streaking Into the International Break
Saints go Marching in
The Saints have scored 14 goals over the last six matches, and haven’t failed to score since the season opener. While they still have some defensive issues to clear up, the Ralph Hassenhüttl’s side have four clean sheets during their current run. Eleven of their twelve goals conceded have come in three matches.
Due to their form in front of goal, they still managed four points in those contests. This club has been very good since the season restart during the summer. They lost just once in nine games to end last campaign and have carried that form over to this season. Southampton was briefly at the top of the table after 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Friday night.
Strike Force
There are always players who people will gravitate towards, even if they play for a different club. Danny Ings is one of those players. His move to Liverpool a few years back was derailed by injuries, and his promising career arch looked to be spiralling downward. He has been revitalised since joining the Saints and is back to being one of the Premier League’s best in front of goal.
Ings has 22 goals in each of the last two campaigns and has five from seven appearances this year. He suffered a knee injury against Aston Villa and missed this past weekend’s match. There was no severe damage and he should be cleared to return to training soon. Ings is the talisman of this Saints squad, and they will need him back and fit as soon as possible.
Fellow striker Che Adams has also started the season brightly. He has three goals and two assists early in his second season on the south coast. Adams brings pace and precision to Southampton streaking downfield on the counter. He leads the team in shots attempted, which is a clear sign that he is playing with confidence and aggression.
Midfielder James Ward-Prowse is tied with Adams for goals scored. The English international is quickly becoming known as one of the most dangerous free-kick takers in the Premier League. Ward-Prowse has been on top form as well, with his steadiness in the centre of the pitch and his free-kick wizardry.
Sustainability
The Premier League season is a marathon, not a sprint. The Saints solid start through eight games is all well and good, but sustaining that success will be much tougher. Only one of their next four matches is with a team in the top half of the table. That is their first fixture back from the break away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They host Manchester United the following week before matches with Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United. A clinical nature in front of goal is what sees Southampton streaking up the table right now. They will need to get Ings back fit and keep Adams playing with confidence.
The Saints need to clean up some things in the defensive half. So far, they have rotated between leaking goals or getting clean sheets, with not much middle ground. This squad needs to find some consistency in the back four to compliment how well their attack is performing.
There is still a long way to go in this campaign, but Southampton are in as good a form as any other club right now. If they can continue to bang in goals while also tightening up a bit defensively, they should be a staple in the top half of the table with a chance at challenging for European football.
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