Southampton legend James Beattie has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that boss Will Still has shown bravery in the early stages of his St Mary’s reign after not being afraid to omit big-name members of the squad from the starting line-up as he attempts to seal an immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
The 32-year-old tactician was confirmed as Ivan Juric’s successor during the summer, having enjoyed fruitful spells in charge of Ligue 1 sides Lens and Reims, and his side grabbed a valuable three points when they came from behind to seal a victory over Sheffield United earlier this week.
Ross Stewart found the back of the net twice in the space of seven second half minutes to turn the Championship encounter on its head at Bramall Lane, having initially fallen behind thanks to Tyrese Campbell’s opener, and Southampton’s victory came despite Still leaving some key figures on the sidelines.
Still Bold for Dropping Stephens and Harwood-Bellis
Harwood-Bellis was only named on the bench for Southampton’s trip to Sheffield United, while Jack Stephens was not even included in the matchday squad after also being an unused substitute for the draw with Middlesbrough last weekend, highlighting that Still has not been afraid to make bold calls when it has come to team selection.
The centre-back duo, who are on contracts worth a combined total of £47,500-per-week before bonuses, have been overtaken by Nathan Wood and summer recruit Joshua Quarshie in the pecking order. Beattie feels that Saints’ boss is willing to be ruthless as it makes other members of the dressing room aware that their place in the starting line-up is not safe.
“I don’t think Will is afraid of making big decisions,” said the former striker, who was speaking exclusively to GMS via Midnite. “He is the man in control and it sends a message. If you’re not performing, you need to up your game all the way through the week – in training and games – to make sure that you get in this team. I’m not saying Jack and Taylor didn’t put effort in, but he is going to pick the team that he feels can go and get a result.
“I think he’ll just be trying to work out his strongest team. He will want to be six weeks ahead of where he is now. If the players perform on the pitch for him and the team, I think he will stick with them and show faith. There are also a lot of good players and new players that can come in and want to show what they’re about as well.
“I think it’s a case of just getting the mix right. He will get to see the lads all week in training. He gets to see how they’ve been performing in training and where they are mentally.”
Downs Pushed to be More Physical Following Switch
Damion Downs has also been struggling to secure game time since his summer move from newly-promoted Bundesliga side Koln. Since starting the heavy defeat to Hull City last month, the striker has failed to make the matchday squad for the clashes with Middlesbrough and Sheffield United.
Beattie, who found the back of the net 76 times over the course of 232 appearances for Saints during his playing career, has called on the 6ft 4in United States international to be more physical and use his tall frame to his advantage after being unable to fully win over Still.
“He just needs to remember what got him his move,” added Beattie. “He is playing football in a different place, but the principles remain the same. He needs to remind himself of how good he is, what he can bring to the team, why Southampton scouted him and why they signed him in the first place.
“It’s not easy when you’re in difficult form, but you’ve got to be resilient and call upon the tools that you’ve either been given or you have yourself. If he needs some help with that, then get him some help. There is a good player in there. Southampton wouldn’t have paid £8million for him if they didn’t think that.
“I’m a massive advocate for people showing physicality. When I first went into Leeds United as assistant manager, Chris Wood wasn’t using his body as much as he should. He didn’t really understand what I meant. I told him that you need to send a message before the game even starts that it’s going to be a really tough, physical battle. If you win that battle, you let your more technical skills take over. Playing up front on your own is difficult anyway, without the right sort of guidance and thought processes behind that role.”
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Damion Downs has been limited to 151 minutes of Championship action this season
Although Downs has found himself on the periphery, fellow marksman Adam Armstrong was in the thick of the action against Sheffield United as he missed a glorious chance to draw Southampton level from the spot by skying a penalty in first half stoppage time. Despite the miss, Beattie feels the 28-year-old deserves to be among the first names on the team sheet.
“I think he has staked a really good claim to be starting,” he confirmed. “Adam is a proven goalscorer at this level. In Southampton’s last season in the Championship, he scored more than 20 goals. If you’re a serious contender for promotion, or consider yourself a serious contender, you have one or two of them in your squad. He is one of them, but Southampton just need to find the other one.
“I think he is a great professional and he sort of epitomises Southampton because he puts a lot of effort in. He is very talented and his finish against Middlesbrough on Saturday was brilliant. He has got that in his locker, but he needs to be on the pitch for everyone to see that.”
Beattie Among Icons to Mix With Fans on Away Trip
Beattie, along with fellow Southampton legends Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali, was given the opportunity to get closer to Saints fans by travelling with them on coaches provided by club sponsors Midnite for the Championship encounter against Sheffield United earlier this week.
The 47-year-old, who is also director of football at non-league side AFC Totton, is adamant there was a good atmosphere during the long journey to South Yorkshire.
“It was great,” admitted Beattie. “I enjoyed myself, so I hope the fans did. We had a few little surprises on the way up to Sheffield. There was a quiz and I was doing a little bit of DJing, which I hope they enjoyed. We then had a Q&A as well.
“It was generous of Midnite to do it. I did a bit of work with them leading up to the derby against Portsmouth, and they have done a lot with the fans. We did a T-shirt activation. They also did a tifo with my picture on it and I couldn’t quite believe how big it was. I was taken aback by that. I think it shows a different sort of approach to sponsorship. It’s excellent and they’re continuing to engage with the fans.”
Midnite, club sponsors for both Southampton and Sheffield United, put on luxurious coach travel – dubbed the Midnite Express – free of charge for Saints fans’ trip to Bramall Lane on Tuesday, September 30