Southampton’s £12m man under fire – Has Will Still got his tactics wrong? | OneFootball

Southampton have yet to see the best of Finn Azaz since his £12m move from Middlesbrough in the summer window.

It’s fair to say that Will Still’s start to life at Southampton hasn’t exactly gone to plan, with the south coast side sitting 17th in the Championship table, having won just two league games.

Of course, it’s far too soon to make a proper judgement, but supporters of the Saints would’ve expected more.

After all, unlike the majority of their rivals, Southampton have Premier League parachute payments, which gives them a significant financial advantage.

And whilst they lost some key players during the summer transfe window, they were able to spend some decent sums on individuals to strengthen Still’s squad ahead of what is expected to be a big promotion push this season.

Finn Azaz is yet to show his quality in a Southampton shirt since Middlesbrough transfer

That financial power was evident in the initial £12m transfer that convinced Finn Azaz to leave promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough to join Southampton.

On paper, this looked like a shrewd move by Saints, as they had picked up a player who is proven in the Championship, with the 25-year-old having hit 12 goals and registered 11 assists in the league last season.

Manor Solomon, who was part of Leeds’ title-winning squad, was the only other player in the division to hit double figures in goals and assists, which shows how good Azaz was on Teesside.

Yet, the Republic of Ireland international is six games into his Southampton career, and many Saints fans don’t understand what the fuss is about.

The ex-Aston Villa man has failed to record a goal contribution, and he has already lost his place in the starting XI, with Still using Azaz as a 78th minute sub in their draw at Derby County last time out.

Will Still needs to find the right formula to get the best out of Finn Azaz

It’s important not to overreact, with Azaz’s Southampton career just beginning, and there are many high-profile examples of top players taking time to settle into new surroundings.

Not only did Azaz move from one end of the country to the other, but he is also adapting to a squad that underwent major surgery this summer, with a new head coach in place as well. So, patience is required.

Indeed, it also took time for him to settle as a Middlesbrough player too, having endured a modest start to life in the North East upon joining from Aston Villa in January of last year, before blossoming into the creative force that he was last term.

Nevertheless, questions are being asked as to what Azaz is going to offer. Whilst the likes of Leo Scienza and Tom Fellows have shown what they will bring to the side, Azaz has looked somewhat out of place.

His only goal and assist this season came in a Middlesbrough shirt, and with an xG of less than one, and an expected assist value of less than one, it shows he’s not done much during his time for his new club.

However, that’s not all on Azaz, as Still is yet to find his best formation or team.

Southampton did look to have made progress on that front, with Ross Stewart excelling as a focal point that gave them a goal threat, as well as boasting the ability to bring others into play.

Sadly, the Scotsman has suffered another injury, which will mean Still has to juggle things around again, as Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong are completely different profiles.

With Still having switched from a back four to a back three in the opening weeks, that impacts the structure of the team and the role of individuals.

Azaz has been hindered by that, as he does his best work in a number ten position, but he can also play from the left, yet he lacks the pace to beat his opponent, meaning he often drifts inside.

So, whilst there is talent in the group, the ex-Reims boss has yet to find a formula that suits his key attacking personnel.

As outlined initially though, it’s hard to have too much sympathy for Still and Southampton when you look at the calibre of player they have in their squad, as most managers would love to have a player like Azaz in the group.

With the transfer window a long time shut, and the players now having had time to work with Still, the excuses are starting to run out.

When Southampton return to action at home to Swansea City next weekend, the fans will want to see a marked improvement, as returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking is the unquestionable aim this season.

Despite their slow start, a few wins on the bounce will change the picture at St. Mary’s Stadium, and they certainly have the talent to do that.

But, performances are alarming, and whilst Still deserves some slack, there will be an expectation for things to improve when they return.

So, the spotlight is on the manager, and finding the right role for Azaz to rediscover the form he displayed in the 2024/25 season must be one of his priorities to get Southampton climbing the table.