Five key lessons from Southampton’s late 2-1 loss against Wrexham
A win would have been ideal heading into the international break, but Tonda Eckert’s Southampton failed to turn their dominance into three points against Wrexham.
The German head coach selected the same starting eleven that beat Bristol City a week earlier, but Saints couldn't make their chances pay.
Despite dominating possession and creating an xG of 2.08, the Saints missed three big chances and failed to capitalise.
A late counter-attack from Wrexham was intercepted by German centre-back Keven Schlotterbeck, but the 29-year-old could only send the ball into the back of the net, handing the home side a late victory.
We’ve assessed five key lessons from the occasion that will leave the Saints feeling down in the dumps heading into the three-week break.
Away form an issue
Southampton have failed to win away in the league so far this season, taking two draws and losing twice from four trips across the division.
A loss against Wrexham earmarked that key issue once again - while they’re unbeaten at home ground St Mary’s since January, their form elsewhere has been disappointing.
Perhaps it has something to do with the reception they’re receiving following the Spygate debacle. Or Saints just need to start keeping the ball out of their own net by defending their duels better.
Defensive leaks show once again
The first goal scored by Wrexham to make the game one-nil was poor defensively from Southampton.
The visitors made it far too easy for big centre forward Kieffer Moore to direct a header into the top corner.
The next was just as questionable. A cross into the box wasn’t dealt with by goalkeeper Daniel Peretz nor big German defender Schlotterbeck, and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
While Saints struggled to score, their chance creation was good against Wrexham. On the other hand, they’re conceding far too many chances and putting their valid efforts to total waste.
Substitutes in question
It appears Tonda Eckert isn’t a fan of his options off the bench.
Against Wrexham, Sam Edozie was an enforced entry at half-time, Tom Fellows made a like-for-like swap for Kuryu Matsuki, then new signings Divin Mubama and Lewis Dobbin were handed token runouts to try and nick a goal.
The Saints boss isn’t a fan of using his options from the sidelines as much this season, and could be a pointer towards Mubama and Dobbin not yet being up to scratch. Time will tell whether they make the grade.
Ward-Prowse marks return
James Ward-Prowse was one of the very few positives from the day, scoring his first goal since returning to Southampton and bringing out his trademark golf-swing celebration in front of a jubilant away end.
The second-half finish to make the game 1-1 was an emphatic one, and gave Saints a chance to push on and find a match-winning goal. Alas, they couldn’t do so.
Last game without unclear future
The Spygate drama should finally be put to bed in the coming weeks, and it’s about time.
Southampton’s match against Wrexham was likely the last without a ban potentially looming for head coach Tonda Eckert.
The FA will have to make their final call in the upcoming days - and whatever it is, the Saints will be glad to have some kind of clarity.
There’s no doubting the German boss has bounced back in the new season despite a minus-four setback in the Championship table. What lies ahead for him is currently uncertain, but the next match for Southampton is an almighty one in the south coast derby against Portsmouth.
