Southampton legend Matthew Le Tissier has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that he believes Saints manager Will Still is three weeks away from knowing his best team at St Mary’s after an up-and-down start to the season.
Saints picked up just their second league win of the season after beating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, with their previous victory coming against Wrexham on the opening day at St Mary’s.
Still Weeks Away from Knowing Best Southampton Side
Still began the campaign trusting in players such as Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who have represented the club at both Premier League and Championship level.
However, after the dismal 3-1 defeat against Hull City last month, Still made nine changes for the Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool and has since stuck with largely the same starting players in the following matches with Middlesbrough and Sheffield United.
Stephens and Harwood-Bellis have been two of the biggest victims of the changes, with Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood stepping up in their absence.
“I definitely think he’s still tinkering at the moment,” said Le Tissier, who was speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT via Midnite. “I think what happened at Liverpool probably gave him a few more questions in terms of the team that performed so well, which he probably didn’t think would be his first team.
“All of a sudden there were players who put in some good performances and rightly kept their place in the team. So that’s why I think it will probably be another three weeks or so before he realises what his best team is.
“When that happens, I think that’s when you’ll see the best of Southampton. So we’re kind of scratching away at the moment, just making sure we don’t get too adrift of the top six and those playoff places.”
Goalkeeper and Striker Already January Transfer Priorities
While Southampton and Still look to have brilliant strength in depth in multiple positions across the pitch, Le Tissier believes there are two areas of concern after watching the first few weeks of the season.
Goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy have already shared the position in goal this season, with Le Tissier seemingly unconvinced by both, while Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong, Damion Downs and Ross Stewart have all started in the centre-forward position.
Speaking prior to Stewart’s brace against Sheffield United on Tuesday, Le Tissier suggested those two positions should be on the agenda come January:
“I think if you were to say, come January, what do you think he’s looking at? I think the goalkeeper situation, I think the centre-forward situation. We haven’t got anybody who’s looking like they’re going to score at the moment, and that’s a big problem when you play so many games to try and get out this league. So those are the two positions for me that I think are most concerning.”
Azaz and Fellows Have Big Part to Play for Southampton
Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows were two high-profile signings for Saints at the end of the summer transfer window, with both featuring regularly since the September 1 deadline.
Neither are yet to really make their mark on the pitch yet for Still, who decided the substitute the duo off at half time at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Asked if they have a big part to play this season, Le Tissier said:
“I think they will. I think Azaz looks like he’s still trying to find his feet a little bit. I don’t think we’ve seen anywhere near the form that he’s shown for Middlesbrough in the past.
“I thought Fellows actually looked a bit livelier against Middlesbrough,” the Southampton icon added. “You know, there’s a few bright spots there, some lovely, mazy runs. I think we need to see more of that because that’s what the fans come to expect, and come to see somebody who can do something a little bit different. And I think Tom looks like he’s definitely got that in him.”
Le Tiss Among Southampton Icons on Away Trip
Le Tissier was joined by fellow Southampton legends Francis Benali and James Beattie on Tuesday as club sponsors Midnite provided free travel to a select number of fans for the Championship encounter against Sheffield United, and really enjoyed the experience.
“I loved it, to be honest,” said Le Tissier. “We had some quizzes on the coach. We had a little Q & A with some really good questions from all the passengers.
“The time just kind of flew by really. I’ve got a couple of mates on there and just chit-chatting away and reminiscing about old games, the time flies. So yeah, it’s great.”