Southampton come calling at Selhurst this weekend. Like Palace, they’ve been a bit up and down this season although they seem to have hit a run of form at just the wrong time (for us!)
Unbeaten in three and having come back strong against table topping Arsenal, how are Saint’s fans feeling about the match up this week? I spoke to Allen Gunn from our pals at St. Mary’s Musings to get an inside look…
TEB – So, how are you feeling about the season so far? Feels quite up and down, but a great result at the weekend, has that got the fans going?
AG – It was hard to know what to expect coming into the season, we’ve had a few good results, notably against Chelsea, Arsenal and Bournemouth but our inability to manage games across the full 90 minutes has been frustrating. In a number of games, we’ve gone ahead and then struggled to close the game out.
Having said that, Ralph does deserve some credit for the last couple of games, he’s made tactical and personnel switches that have seen us come back into games and get something from them.
TEB – So more broadly then, where are Southampton at, what are you trying to be?
AG – We came into the league with a pretty clear model under Nigel Adkins. We were an ‘English team’ structured around a key target man style player – playing to the strengths of Lambert, Pelle, Austin in turn. More broadly we were heavily invested in our academy and promoting young players who we accepted were likely to be sold on.
We moved away from that a little, but we are heading back in that direction, for example the signing of three very young ‘starlets’ from Manchester City over the summer, but we have to find a balance between who can help us now, and who’s going to be great in the future.
TEB – As you mentioned Southampton have made several signings, you mentioned the trio from City, but who has impressed you the most?
AG – Bella Kotchap has looked incredible in defence, he may not be fit for the visit to Palace which is a shame, but its rare to see a teenage centre back look so assured. Defensively we have been strong this season and a large part of that is down to him, and the partnership he has formed with Salisu.
A shout out too for Levia in midfield and Bazunu in goal. Given their respective ages (18 and 20) it’s incredible how composed they both are.
TEB – Ok, if I gave you a magic lamp who would you like to sign in January?
TN – Obviously a striker – we’ve really struggled for goals this year. Che Adams is okay but not that prolific and beyond that it’s sometimes hard to see where the goals are coming from. As a realistic option I’d probably go for Broja, given he settled well last season and is proven at Premier League level.
TEB – On to the manager, what’s the deal with Hassunhutl and is the fanbase behind him?
AG – Ralph is a bit of an enigma, he came in and rescued us from relegation after the Mark Hughes era was heading in that direction. He came in with a very defined system- but perhaps the squad doesn’t fit that well with his system and maybe hasn’t ever… So recently we’ve seen very inconsistent line-ups as he looks to find the best mix.
This summer saw quite an overhaul in the backroom team, Ralph has a new assistant, and this feels like a last chance for to get it right. He’s already said he’ll leave after 2024. Which does create a slightly strange effect.
TEB – What’s your views on Palace this season?
AG – Up and down, bit like us – looked strong at times and weak at others, will be interesting to test where we are at – we often have good match ups, and not just between Ward-Prowse and Zaha…
TEB – Just let’s not give Ward-Prowse too many set pieces…
TEB – Prediction for the game? Where’s it going to be won and lost?
I suspect it will be won or lost in midfield, we have looked feeble in midfield without Lavia next to Ward-Prowse, but I’ll go for 1-1.
TEB – Cheers Allen, here’s to a great game!
