This season under Claude Puel, Southampton can look either formidable or flimsy, not something you’d readily associate with the Saints ever since their promotion to the Premier League.
Much to the frustration to those on the south coast, they are slowly looking as inconsistent as top flight teams come, a departure from the solidity that largely defined the tenures of Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman.
While Puel has had the team playing well and picking up some big scalps this season, you get the feeling their clash with Middlesbrough on Sunday is a key game.
He needs a big performance against a well put together visiting outfit and currently has just one win in his last five domestic games.
Perhaps the biggest frustration to the St. Mary’s faithful is the fact they could just as easily roll over to the Teesiders as turn Boro over themselves, with their Europa League game a few days before barely ideal preparation.
Still, with that in mind, here’s the XI for Saints to return to form and smash Boro this Sunday.
GK: Fraser Forster
Clearly at fault for the first goal in the loss to Crystal Palace, England international Fraser Forster is far better than that blunder obviously.
Needs to prove he’s more mobile between the sticks, though.
RB: Cedric
Impressive against Everton, the Euro 2016 winner’s overlaps and attacking enterprise will be crucial when trying to create overloads to break behind well-organised enemy lines.
With the likes of Adam Traore available to Aitor Karanka, it’s essential Cedric starts over Cuco Martina.
CB: Jose Fonte
Needs to pick his game up somewhat, with his head largely looking in the clouds ever since his dream summer with Portugal.
If he’s really worthy of a move to Manchester United (as linked), Jose Fonte really needs to start proving it again.
CB: Virgil van Dijk
With Boro likely to play just one up top while utilising the wings when playing on the counters, Virgil van Dijk will surely have licence to roam as Saints dominate the ball.
Can be the extra man in midfield, a crucial option to have against a defensive team.
LB: Ryan Bertrand
One of few Premier League full-backs who genuinely loves defending, as well as breaking forward, Ryan Bertrand provides balance in abundance to Puel’s left side.
CDM: Oriol Romeu
Though not a deep-lying playmaker as you’d expect from a man who graduated from La Masia, Oriol Romeu is increasingly becoming perhaps the most vital cog in this team.
Van Dijk clearly takes the plaudits, though the Spaniard’s robust energy in winning the ball back, coupled with his classy passing range, keeps possession moving.
CM: Steven Davis
Dependable as ever, there’s nothing really that Steven Davis is bad at in a footballing sense.
Rather simple praise perhaps, the Northern Ireland international gives so much in midfield to the Saints’ cause.
CM: Dusan Tadic
Largely operating on the left of an attacking trident this season, the fact Southampton are likely to dominate the ball should afford Dusan Tadic a central berth.
Would provide another dimension to an already solid midfield, while allowing a certain Moroccan free reign on the left.
RW: Nathan Redmond
It’s time for Nathan Redmond to prove he’s more than a box of tricks.
Has literally all the attributes to be a thrillingly incisive wide-forward, though questions marks remain in regards to his final product.
CF: Charlie Austin
Doesn’t do much else but score, though when a team works as well behind him, who needs Charlie Austin to?
A wonderful point to the attack, such is the clinical nature of his expert finishing.
LW: Sofiane Boufal
Showing signs of his truly immense potential, the notion of allowing Sofiane Boufal almost free reign on the left must be a tempting one for Claude Puel.
Proved against Sunderland just what he can do when given time to float inside and out and perhaps one moment of genius here could be enough to win all three points.
