Villa 0-0 Saints: What a difference a Jay makes

Article by e-Southampton Correspondent Samuel Wilkes

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Two teams, both alike in dignity, in central Birmingham, where we lay our scene. The end.

Sadly, little in the 90 minutes between kick-off and final whistle was worth writing about. The home side were very clearly content to gain a point in their slow, crawl to safety. Southampton, on the other hand, failed to score for a second game in a row despite having over 68% possession against both Cardiff and Villa.

When fully fit, Saints’ “three lions” have the balance of attacking weapons to make any team suffer. Rickie Lambert has power and finishing ability but also holds the ball up and brings others into play. Adam Lallana, “the English Iniesta” as some papers have described him, is rightly on the shortlist for PFA Player of the Year for his creativity, vision and goalscoring. But the player who has been missed more than expected is Jay Rodriguez. Since his move from Burnley, some fans have questioned his technical ability but the pace and movement he brings to the team have been vital in creating space and pulling teams apart. Since his season-ending injury against Manchester City, Saints have looked short of ideas of how to break down the two very weak teams they have come up against.

There are a number of factors at play. The classic “nothing to play for” that mid table mediocrity brings is one. Additionally, watching a potential World Cup player sustain an injury which has ruled him out of the tournament will be on the minds of those aiming to go to Brazil; potentially three of the back four, the main creative force within the team and the most potent attacker remaining. Lastly, and most importantly, Pochettino has been found wanting as a tactician.

Opposing teams have worked out how to play against Southampton and there is little or no plan B. Without a spark from midfield or a set-play goal from Lambert, the attacks are predictable and easily defended by dropping deep and keeping men behind the ball. Two thirds of possession is admirable and infinitely preferable to the defensive or long ball dirge that home fans at Villa or Upton Park respectively face every week but cannot always be relied on to get results. In the past two games, Pochettino has experimented with a 4-4-2 with Sam Gallagher and Lambert up front together which at least shows a willingness to adapt. He has only been in managing for five years and in England for just over a year so Saints are part of his learning curve. Hopefully he will remain at Southampton to continue his education for many years to come.

From this game however, he will have learnt little. Paul Lambert sought to overcome the internal strife of the week by setting out his team to defend deep and counter with the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor. The visitors set up in usual “plan a” formation, welcoming back Artur Boruc and Nathaniel Clyne in place of Paolo Gazzaniga and Calum Chambers.

In the first half, Lambert had two good opportunities before former-Villain Steve Davis saw his low-shot well saved by Brad Guzan in the half’s best chance. The 2nd half was equally devoid of entertainment. Lallana should have scored from close range but failed to connect with Luke Shaw’s cross and Marc Albrighton had his long shot saved by Boruc. The only real point of controversy came when Clyne’s cross struck Ryan Bertrand on the hand in the area but referee Lee Mason was unimpressed with the appeals. With Saints’ luck with penalties this season, it was never likely to be given. For never was a story of more woe, than this of Villa and Pochettino.

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