Saints threw away a two-goal cushion against Derby yesterday to enforce an FA Cup third round replay at St Mary’s.
Here are five things we learned from the game:
1. Callum Slattery held his own:
Callum Slattery
Saints debutant, Callum Slattery, didn’t look out of place in the first team.
The central midfielder was partnered with James Ward-Prowse, who guided him throughout the match.
Given Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg’s suspension, Slattery has a chance to fill the void left by Saints’ captain and will be hoping for another chance.
2. Shane Long and Charlie Austin struggled:
Charlie Austin (right) and Shane Long (middle)
The strike duo failed to create anything of note in the 2-2 draw.
It was a game to forget for both Austin and Long as they were given their chance to put a claim in for a regular first team spot.
However, this game was evidence that without Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi up front, Saints don’t look anywhere near as dangerous.
3. Nathan Redmond is getting into his groove:
Nathan Redmond
Redmond has been one of Saints’ standout players this season and yesterday was another example of that.
He opened the scoring with a deflected shot in the fourth minute, but it was his second goal that will get the headlines.
The winger surged forward with the ball, observed the position of his fellow Saints teammates before curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box.
4. Saints’ confidence levels will be low:
Derby coming back into the game was a killer blow for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
They were cruising two goals to the good and then had a frantic three-minutes where they lost all sense of composure.
The Rams were able to capitalise on Saints’ vulnerabilities when they got their first goal back and then took advantage by bagging their second through Tom Lawrence.
5. Lack of depth cost Hasenhuttl:
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Saints’ boss opted to pick a bench full of youth in order to freshen things up and give some senior players a rest.
However, when the game was level there were a lack of match winners waiting to come on and add that extra quality to see the game out.
He brought on Tyreke Johnson and Marcus Barnes, but by then it was too late in the match to swing the momentum back in Saints’ favour.
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