Winning ugly just as important…
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1) Mamadou Sakho is completely crucial to our side…
The French powerhouse missed the match due to a slight problem with his hip, and although we managed to keep yet another clean-sheet, Sakho’s absence was noticeable. The 24-year-old usually starts on the left of the back-three, a position he is absolutely perfect for. Emre Can filled in, and with Lazar Markovic playing at left wing-back, Southampton carved out plenty of chances down their right-hand side. Plenty, plenty more than other sides have recently when Sakho’s been in the team. Let’s hope he’s back available by next weekend versus Manchester City. We need him.
2) Southampton are genuine contenders for the top 4…
Barring perhaps Chelsea in the League Cup, Southampton are the best side we’ve played in 2015. We beat them 2-0, but you’d have to say that if Graziano Pelle was firing on all cylinders, the result might have been quite different. Fans are perhaps naively claiming that we’re only really competing with Man United, Arsenal and Spurs for the 3rd and 4th positions – but on that evidence, Southampton could stick around right until the season’s death – especially without the distraction of European or cup football.
3) Coutinho really CAN shoot…
While he first suggested that he had genuine ability from range against Bolton in the FA Cup, Coutinho well and truly confirmed it against Southampton. The internet practically exploded when the diminutive Brazilian, who’s actually consistently been accused of having a weak, pulled shot, beat the excellent Fraser Forster from 31-yards – finding a gap between the giant keeper’s outstretched paw and his crossbar – which is probably still vibrating.
4) Winning ugly is as important as winning beautifully…
Southampton had more of the ball, more shots, completed more passes and had more corners. But they lost 0-2. We occupied the ball for only 40% of the time, but bagged with our first two shots on target. The victory was Chelsea-esque, and extremely encouraging considering the average age of the side we put out.
5) Brendan Rodgers may not have forgotten the Mario Balotelli / Daniel Sturridge penalty drama…
Rumours were rife that Rodgers would start both Balotelli and Sturridge up top at St. Mary’s, such have been the impressive cameo displays from Balotelli, and the return to fitness of Sturridge. However, both were on the bench – and although it could be purely tactical – it would be hard to forget the fact that both were culprits in the embarrassing penalty row that part-ruined our Europa League victory over Besiktas. Rodgers (although not publicly) would have hated the open dispute, when he’s so desperate to portray an image of squad togetherness. Next time there’s a penalty and Steven Gerrard’s not around, you can be absolutely sure that there’ll be no arguments.
