So much has been said of Southampton this season, and in so many different ways.
In the summer they evoked mass sympathy for the exodus that beset due to the imperial nature of the modern game. Dimmed down and pitiful expectations subsequently followed, as few could fathom how a Premier League team so devoid of it’s core could possibly continue to achieve what it once had. Surprise and admiration was next as this collection of players have continued to defy all expectations under the competent eye of Dutch manager Ronald Koeman.
Misinterpreting just how good Southampton would be this year was an easy mistake to make. Their manager, the impressive Mauricio Pochettino, who orchestrated this aesthetically impressive team, departed for Tottenham. While academy products Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Adam Lallana joined Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren in heading on for pastures new.
Yet Southampton have looked more impressive than ever before. The one common denominator between those two seasons? It’s their midfield duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama, the latter of which has been a quietly integral cog in Ronald Koeman’s remarkably effective rearguard.
There’s no denying that the foundation of Southampton’s success has been built around their remarkable defence. And naturally, crediting two midfielders for that record may appear contradictory, but it is ultimately their partnership that has become the nucleus of the team.
And that’s something else that should be emphasised – these eleven players are a team. The reason they concede so few goals is down to their work as a unit; all contributing to a wonderfully organised system that’s suggestive of a rarely-breached defensive fortress.
[ad_pod id=’football-friends’ align=’center’]
Defending effectively is done as a team. Schneiderlin and Wanyama sit in front of their back four, rarely making any error for the opposition to seize upon. No opposing attacking midfielder can find an inch of space between their defence and midfield, such is the effectiveness of their positioning.
Schneiderlin is the more creative of the two. When restarting play he retreats towards his goalkeeper to take control of the ball, generally being designated player to kickstart attacks. Wanyama is the perfect compliment to that – he sweeps laterally across the pitch forcing his attackers to divert wide, where opponents will promptly meet one of Nathaniel Clyne or Ryan Bertrand; two more underrated players who both attack and defend with aplomb.
You can rant and rave whatever you like about back four organisation or a central defensive partnership, but they’ll never stand a chance against a competent attacking team with adequate midfield protection.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have regularly eulogised about Southampton’s organisation in the centre of the pitch – with the respective partnerships of Fonte and Alderwiereld, Schnierderlin and Wanyama are receiving particular attention. You can grant credit to Fonte and Alderwiereld, but it seems like they benefit more from what’s in front of them.
Moreover, if you were to imagine those pairs being put in different teams, it would become apparent that the Schnierderlin – Wanyama combo was the more valuable. You could place a more average central defending pair with them and achieve as good results, something you wouldn’t do so easily in reverse.
While currently unavailable due to a hamstring injury, Wanyama’s absence has been noted less because the team’s maintained their good form. But take nothing away from his importance – he’s Southampton’s most physically imposing player, and it’s that ingredient that makes this duo work. Wanyama may continue in the shadows of Schneiderlin’s superior creativity and standing, but these differing qualities are necessary for the resultant synergy.
Whether he stays fit for the rest of the season may have an ultimate bearing on this year’s top four, which is more closely contested than many would have predicted. Either way, Wanyama deserves an almighty amount of credit for his excellent contribution to this famous Southampton team, who have all the potential to shake the Premier League up immensely.
[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]
[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]