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Southampton’s performance in their defeat to Manchester United was by far their best since Ralph Hasenhuttl took the wheel and they can feel aggrieved that they didn’t take more away from Old Trafford. One man, though, should feel particularly disappointed that he was unable to muster the kind of display that he has consistently produced in recent weeks.
On the chalkboard
Two pieces of individual brilliance had meant the Saints were level with their hosts with less than 10 minutes of regulation time to go, however Romelu Lukaku saved the day for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, thus breaking Southampton hearts.
For all their hard work in defence in the first half, the Saints sat off in the second and allowed United to dictate the tempo of the clash a little more after they were caught with their holding midfielders far too high up the pitch – Andreas Pereira drove into space and found the top corner superbly.
While the defence could not really do a whole lot about the three goals they conceded, the stats behind Jan Bednarek’s display are concerning and should surprise Hasenhuttl, who has rejuvenated the young Pole.
Bad day for Bednarek
The former Lech Poznan defender, having hardly had a look in under Mark Hughes, has been a revelation since Hasenhuttl took over and has surely become their best centre-back.
While others put in some of their best showings of the campaign to date, Bednarek’s was statistically his worst – the 22-year-old completed just 46% of his passes, 2 tackles and 1 interception.
Against one of the most form teams in the league, you have to be able to rely on your players to string a pass together and not lose possession in dangerous areas – Bednarek only hit the target with seven of his attempted balls.
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Despite the huge improvements the defender has shown under new management, Hasenhuttl needs to have a word with Bednarek ahead of the Spurs clash this weekend; once again, this will be a game where mistakes are likely to be punished and the hosts are running out of time to secure Premier League survival.
A point or all three against Mauricio Pochettino’s men would be huge but every man in red and white will have to be near faultless.
