Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern were bemoaning another lacklustre home performance from their side over the weekend.
The Saints went down 2-0 to Watford at St Mary’s on Saturday to condemn manager Mauricio Pellegrino to a first Premier League defeat in charge, although it now means that the South Coast outfit have failed to net in three of their opening four league matches.
And with just ten league goals at home in the entirety of 2017, those Southampton fans standing by the bar will certainly be hoping for better from the new manager and their team in the weeks to come, a team which could include wantaway defender Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch international was subject to intense speculation over the summer about a possible move to Liverpool, speculation that saw the 26-year-old hand in a transfer request at the start of August to earn his move away.
However, no deal was forthcoming for the centre-back and he remained a Southampton player beyond the August 31 deadline, and he stepped up his rehabilitation from injury by playing for the Saints’ Under-23 side against Aston Villa on Monday.
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes as the Saints went down 4-0 in the Premier League 2 clash, and his return to action for the first time since January stimulated quite a response from Southampton fans on Twitter…
Van Dijk looks well off it for the under 23s tonight #saintsfc
— Tom Mason (@tom_mason18) September 11, 2017
Van Dijk having a bit of a Lovren on his first game for 9 months shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise #saintsfc
— Steve Grant (@SteveGrant1983) September 11, 2017
Watching the u23 goals tonight it looks like Van Dijk needs a bit more time before a 1st team return! #saintsfc
— Luke Fletcher (@Superfletch81) September 11, 2017
Is van dijk broken? #SaintsFC
— Ashley Jones (@Joner07) September 11, 2017
When we selling Van dijk he’s past his prime lol #saintsfc
— Pellegrino_Nil (@kevvie_geeSFC) September 11, 2017
Van Dijk, Bednarek and McCarthy all played by the way. They have caught first team disorganisation and cannot finish syndrome. #saintsfc https://t.co/I78hEriju2
— Nathan Newington (@newington13) September 11, 2017
Van Dijk making Bednarek look like Sergio Ramos. #saintsfc
— Matt Hickson (@matthicksonsfc) September 11, 2017
3-0 down, I swear if this is Van Dijk not being bothered again… #saintsfc
— ▪Ash▪ (@THE_SA1NTS) September 11, 2017
