3 Things We Learned From Southampton’s Opening Win of the Season | OneFootball

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Southampton got their season off to a winning start, beating Colchester United 2-0 to progress into the second round of the Carabao Cup.

It proved a necessary test for Tonda Eckert’s side – one that will only benefit them ahead of their Championship opener against Watford. From signings needed to areas Southampton must improve, here are three things we learned from the Saints’ opening win of the season.

1. No Other Striker Has Done Enough

Since Ross Stewart departed upon the expiry of his contract, there’s been a void left at striker. Eckert utilised a variety of number nines during pre-season, but none were able to stake a claim for that second spot alongside Cyle Larin.

Starting up top against Colchester, Ben Brereton Diaz struggled to make an impact. He started brightly, dropping deeper to receive and open space behind him. However, the 27-year-old offered little to nothing in front of goal, taking zero shots on target with just 0.15xG accumulated.

Without posing either an aerial threat or a danger in behind, the Saints found it difficult to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. That changed almost instantly when Cyle Larin was introduced. He offered a physical presence capable of shrugging off defenders, while his goalscoring instinct was evident in his willingness to remain on the last line of defence. He was rewarded when Manning whipped a cross to a tee, allowing Larin to nose home his first goal of the season – and his first as a permanent Southampton player.

Larin consistently found himself occupying the space between their centre-backs, while Díaz repeatedly peeled away. It underlined the importance of a natural striker in Southampton’s system. When Díaz was on the pitch, crosses lacked direction – a stark contrast when Larin entered the pitch, where crosses were concentrated in his direction.

At Derby last season, Díaz was at his most effective when operating from out wide. He looked far less comfortable when used centrally for Southampton.

Technical Director Johannes Spors addressed the need for the Saints to sign a second striker alongside Larin, saying, “We will do something in the striker position.”

Ideally, it should be someone younger with the physical attributes to cause defenders problems, provide a focal point for the attack, and offer a genuine target for crosses. Having an imposing presence capable of occupying and unsettling centre-backs would add a crucial alternative to the Canadian international, as Stewart provided last season.

2. Midfield Reinforcement Essential

Shea Charles looks set to leave Southampton. He was named in the squad but remained an unused substitute, with Eckert opting to start Kuryu Matsuki centrally before replacing him with Cameron Bragg. The Northern Ireland international nevertheless led the celebrations at full-time, in what could prove to be his final time with the Southampton supporters.

Shea Charles has been widely linked with a move away to Premier League outfit Fulham (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

When moved onto the right wing, Matsuki posed a far greater threat. He was able to isolate the Colchester full-back in one-on-one situations and looked particularly dangerous when cutting inside onto his left foot. The 23-year-old also whipped several dangerous crosses into the box during his brief spell out wide.

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Bragg’s introduction helped steady the midfield. He occupied the space in front of the centre-backs, providing a passing option through Colchester’s press to help Southampton play out of pressure while also offering defensive assurance during transitions. Composed in possession, he complemented Flynn Downes well, allowing the experienced midfielder greater freedom as the Saints advanced up the pitch.

That further emphasises the need for Southampton to sign a central midfielder capable of effectively replacing Charles. Doing so would allow Matsuki to flourish in a wider role as he could last season, while providing sufficient depth alongside Downes, Caspar Jander and Bragg in the centre of the park.

3. Saints Need to Start Faster

Colchester made life difficult for Southampton, particularly in the first half. The U’s frequently caught the visitors ball watching and looked to capitalise on it. Although they were unable to turn those moments into goals, due to the heroics of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, it served as a necessary wake-up call for the Saints.

Colchester operated with a back five, using a structured out-of-possession shape to slow Southampton’s build-up and frustrate their attempts to play through them. Southampton, meanwhile, retained their familiar 4-2-3-1.

The Saints struggled during the initial phase of their build-up, with Colchester’s high press proving effective, especially with the home crowd adding to the pressure. Southampton’s passing was often loose, with several passes being overhit or lacking the necessary pace to increase the tempo and move Colchester’s defensive structure.

There were also signs of miscommunication within the Southampton side. On occasions, Downes and Matsuki both went for the same ball, while Stephens and Harwood-Bellis appeared undecided over who should step out to track an opposing player finding space. Those moments highlighted a lack of sharpness that will need to be addressed ahead of next Sunday.

The second half was far more comfortable for Southampton, with Colchester failing to register a single shot on target after forcing four in the opening 45 minutes.

Southampton showed greater control over the tempo, speeding up their play at the right moments without becoming rushed in possession. They remained far more composed on the ball, patiently working openings before increasing the intensity when opportunities arose. Eckert reinforced this after the match:

The introduction of Cyle Larin, Romeo Akachukwu, Cameron Archer and Finn Azaz also injected much-needed energy and creativity into the attack, as both goalscorers came off the bench. Larin marked his return to Southampton with his first goal of the season, while youngster Akachukwu scored his first senior goal against his former loan club.

With the Championship season now just around the corner, Southampton cannot afford to give opponents the same opportunities they did against Colchester. They would’ve been punished, particularly against sides with greater quality in the final third. That becomes even more important given the Saints will begin the campaign four points adrift following their points deduction.

Overall, the second half offered plenty of encouragement, with greater control on and off the ball. While the first-half struggles highlighted areas that need work, the impact of the substitutes showed the depth and energy already at Eckert’s disposal.