da bwin： Southampton are currently flirting with the relegation zone in the Premier League and if Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to get the team back on track, he will have to go into the January transfer window with some intent and a clear plan.
da pinup bet： With that in mind, and looking at the current needs of their team, here are two key things the Saints should prioritise this winter…
Another supply of goals
It’s safe to say that Southampton haven’t been firing them in this season. With only 21 goals scored in a total of 18 Premier League clashes, their front line has mostly been underwhelming, to say the least.
The only one who can stand with his head held high is Danny Ings with 11 league goals to his name but he is the exception to the rule – tellingly, only seven Southampton players have scored all season in the top flight, and only three of those have done so more than once.
Whose Line Is It Anyway: Michael Owen, Garth Crooks or Mark Lawrenson?
Responsible for over half of Southampton’s top flight strikes, it’s clear Hasenhuttl needs another source of goals – whether that’s someone to partner Ings up front or an attacking player who can support from out wide or in midfield.
If nobody is brought in, Southampton’s Premier League hopes will ultimately rest in the hands of their only regular goalscorer and the odd free kick from James Ward-Prowse, Saints’ second-top scorer with a mere four strikes.
Watch Chelsea vs Southampton Live and Free with Amazon Prime on Boxing Day
A defensive leader
While reinforcements up front are clearly needed, Southampton still have to fix their defensive woes as well.
So far, in the first 18 games played in the Premier League, Southampton have already conceded a total of 37 goals, which is as incredible as it is disappointing.
Jan Bednarek has emerged as arguably Southampton’s only reliable defender, starting all 18 Premier League fixtures, but at the age of 23 there’s huge pressure on young shoulders here.
Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand offer seniority but aren’t guaranteed starters these days, while Jannik Vestergaard hasn’t featured since the start of November.
Southampton need someone who can knit the defence together by providing both leadership and organisation for those around him – if a Premier League veteran of the Gary Cahill mould is available, Hasenhuttl needs to snap them up.