Five things learnt as Southampton are thrashed 4-1 by West Ham United
It was a night to forget for Southampton under the lights at St Mary’s, as Tonda Eckert’s rotated team lost 4-1 to a youthful West Ham United side.
Despite an early first goal of the season for Brazilian star Leo Scienza, the Saints lacked haste in their play, and eventually lost due to a mix of defensive frailties and a weakened midfield.
West Ham scored three goals in the second half and sounded out any chances Southampton had of getting back into the game after bringing on their big hitters, including Jarrod Bowen.
We’ve selected five learnings from the match, as Southampton were handed their first drubbing of the season.
A performance too complacent
If the game had been a friendly, no eyebrows would have been raised. Southampton were slow and lethargic on the ball, and didn’t appear hungry to strengthen their lead once they went 1-0 up.
The complacency and lack of fitness was clear to see, with further questions over the Saints’ pre-season preparations potentially coming to fruition.
Southampton have to get fully up to speed, and quickly.
Lack of midfield depth exposed
Cam Bragg and Romeo Akachukwu formed a more makeshift midfield for Southampton against West Ham United, leading to huge gaps appearing in the team.
West Ham’s youthful side should not have been what exposed these issues - but technical director Johannes Spors has had weeks to bring a midfielder in following the departure of Shea Charles.
A new addition in the heart of the side is needed to help out Flynn Downes in the absence of Caspar Jander, who remains out injured.
Poor attendance did Saints no favours
The attendance at St Mary’s for Southampton’s meeting with West Ham was just 15,867, after the game was priced at £20+ for fans despite the occasion being a midweek Carabao Cup tie.
A tame atmosphere didn’t help the friendly-like feel to a game that never truly had an edge or any intensity about it. In future, Saints should aim to pack out the ground.
Jack Stephens puts his own place at risk
Players can be excused for errors and infrequent misplaced passes.
But Saints skipper Jack Stephens has had a couple of poor games early into the campaign, and is making it obvious that his place is still up for grabs if some serious competition arrives.
This could be a point for improvement as Southampton enter the final week of the window.
Johannes Spors has a big week ahead
With one week left of the window, it’s clear the Saints have a lot to do.
Johannes Spors needs to pull his finger out and start operating as a technical director with serious ambition to march on to the Premier League at Southampton.
Chairman Dragan Solak promised fans a team to be proud of, and that would be just as good, if not better in quality, than last season when speaking in the summer. It’s time for a promise to be fulfilled.
