Russell Martin will be expecting a reaction from his Southampton team this Easter Monday.
Southampton will be eager to shift their focus away from their recent draw against Middlesbrough on Good Friday, as they prepare to face Kieran McKenna’s formidable Ipswich Town side away from home. Despite the disappointment of the 1-1 result, the Saints are determined to bounce back promptly and assert themselves in the upcoming clash.
Currently trailing by nine points behind Leeds United in the Championship’s automatic promotion race, Southampton may appear to be slipping out of contention for a top-two finish. However, they still possess the opportunity to influence the course of the ongoing title battle by securing a victory against Ipswich Town at Portman Road today.
Considering the lackluster performance displayed by Che Adams in the previous encounter against Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, manager Russell Martin may contemplate dropping the former Birmingham City forward for the impending away fixture in Suffolk. Adams failed to meet expectations in the attacking role and may be replaced as Southampton aim for a stronger offensive presence.
The statistical analysis of Che Adams’ display against Middlesbrough.
With no goals scored in his last two Championship matches as the primary center-forward for Southampton, it might be prudent for the Scottish international to be sidelined during the upcoming game against Ipswich. In the recent 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, the struggling Southampton forward missed two significant scoring opportunities, contributing to the team’s overall wastefulness, especially considering a victory could have propelled them closer to the top two positions in the league standings.
Despite his numerous attempts on goal against Seny Dieng, the diminutive attacker managed to accumulate only 23 touches, a stark comparison to his strike partner Adam Armstrong, who registered 41 touches and found the back of the net during the same game. Armstrong’s composed finish underscores Adams’ lackluster performance.
Given Armstrong’s effectiveness in front of goal, manager Russell Martin may opt to deploy him as the central striker, particularly since Martin has frequently utilized the experienced attacker on the right wing in recent matches. With Adams struggling to make an impact against Middlesbrough, managing just 12 accurate passes and failing to score, a tactical adjustment may now be warranted.
Subsequently, David Brooks could be positioned on the right wing, considering his notable contributions of two goals and three assists in just nine appearances for Southampton on loan. Additionally, Ryan Fraser, who impressed as a substitute in the match against Middlesbrough, may find himself reinstated in the starting lineup for the upcoming fixture against Ipswich, potentially adding another dimension to Martin’s team selection.
The statistical breakdown of Ryan Fraser’s display against Middlesbrough.
Fraser is a potential contender to take over Sulemana’s position on the left wing for Southampton, as the promising left winger displayed glimpses of his skill with two attempted dribbles before being substituted by Martin in the 63rd minute. His replacement, Fraser, made an immediate impact, posing a selection dilemma for Martin ahead of the next match.
During his 27-minute stint at St Mary’s, Fraser maintained a flawless 100% pass accuracy and won all three ground duels he engaged in.
Fraser’s performance against Middlesbrough:
– Minutes played: 27
– Touches: 19
– Accurate passes: 9/9 (100%)
– Duels won: 3/3
– Shots on target: 1
– Successful dribbles: 1/1
Credited as a valuable asset for the Saints earlier this year by his manager, Martin will be pleased to have Fraser back in contention for selection in the upcoming Championship matches, especially considering the Scotsman’s frequent visits to the St Mary’s treatment room.
Fraser could potentially earn a starting position in the team for the upcoming clash with Ipswich, while Adams may be rested following his underwhelming performance against Boro.