Southampton face one of their biggest matches in their recent history when they host south coast rivals Bournemouth at St Mary’s on Saturday, looking to keep alive their chances of preserving their Premier League status.
Following four successive top-eight finishes, Saints are on course for relegation to the Championship following a dreadful campaign in which they have won just five of their 34 top flight fixtures.
Mark Hughes was tasked with saving them after he replaced Mauricio Pellegrino last month with eight games to go, but his team has taken just one point from 12 available so far heading into their clash against the Cherries.
Given that they have only tasted success once in their last 21 attempts – stretching back to the end of November – there are no signs of them turning their form around, and it was the same old story in their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, where defensive errors and poor finishing cost them.
Hughes went with a 5-3-2 system and made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Leicester City last week at Wembley, but the Welshman may be considering making more alterations for the visit of Eddie Howe’s men, who can break through the magic 40-point mark if they take the three points.
Here is how Southampton must line up against Bournemouth on Saturday, ahead of Alex McCarthy in goal…
As they have done in recent matches, Mark Hughes chose to go with a three-man defence with wing-backs against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, in order to try and tighten up his side’s defence.
While it worked against Leicester, it didn’t really against the Blues at the weekend as they were opened up time and time again, and the Welshman should look to switch things up.
Wesley Hoedt has been struggling for form for some time now and Hughes should go with a back four of Cedric Soares, Jan Bednarek, Maya Yoshida and Ryan Bertrand against the Cherries – they shouldn’t need five at the back at home to Eddie Howe’s men – in order to take the Dutchman out of the spotlight.
Mario Lemina is one of many talented Southampton players that has underperformed in general this season, but after a back injury he was brought back into the starting line-up against Chelsea as Hughes chose to go with three central midfielders.
However, the Gabon international looked lethargic and as though he was going through the motions – especially in the first half – throughout the match, and Saints need players that are ready to battle against Bournemouth – he isn’t, despite the obvious quality that he has.
Hughes should look to bring James Ward-Prowse in alongside Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a three-man midfield against the Cherries, and the trio need to work as hard as they ever have done in the middle of the park for their team.
Hughes chose to go with two up top against Chelsea – bringing in this season’s top goalscorer Charlie Austin alongside Shane Long – but despite the duo’s best efforts they couldn’t get on the score-sheet, with the former hitting the post and the latter’s touch letting him down in front of goal.
Long, who was on the end of criticism from Saints fans on Twitter for his display, is still useful in terms of other aspects of his game however, and he and Austin must start against Bournemouth in a front three, utilising the Republic of Ireland international’s pace from a slightly wide area.
On the opposite flank, Dusan Tadic should come back into the XI having started the semi-final on the substitutes’ bench, as he has proven that he does care about the club – something that others haven’t displayed.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.