Southampton told to sign player that's 'technically fantastic' | OneFootball

Southampton have been linked with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion's Solly March - and it is deemed to be a good move by our Fan Pundit.

Southampton are one of a number of teams looking for automatic promotion in the Championship and the prospect of signing Solly March is one that is welcomed.

Southampton narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last season after a brilliant second half to the campaign before ‘Spygate’ then saw them thrown out of the play-offs before the final, having beaten Middlesbrough in the semi-finals.

Tonda Eckert has remained in post at St Mary’s and, while their summer activity has been relatively quiet, they have still managed to strengthen their squad with the additions of Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa and Divin Mubama on loan from Manchester City.

Their season has begun in mixed fashion with defeats to Watford and West Ham United in the league and cup respectively, as well as victories against Colchester United and Stoke City in the cup and league respectively – albeit both of those wins perhaps coming in unconvincing fashion with League Two U’s missing a lot of chances and the victory against Stoke requiring two late goals from Mubama and Ryan Manning.

That slow business, much like last summer, may well ensure a busy end to the summer transfer window and one player that they have been linked with is former Brighton and Hove Albion man Solly March.

Southampton would welcome the signing of Solly March

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Having begun his career at Lewes, Solly March was poached by the impressive recruitment of Brighton in 2011 before going on to make 300 appearances for The Seagulls in a 15-year stint at the AMEX Stadium.

Once a name that was seemingly on the verge of an England call-up a few years ago, injuries have majorly affected his last few seasons, managing to make just 19 Premier League appearances since the 2022-23 campaign.

Still someone well thought of and a player with immense versatility on both wings or at wing-back, FLW’s Southampton Fan Pundit Louis Harris believes he would be an excellent addition to Saints’ squad.

Louis says: “I would welcome Solly March with open arms, especially as a free transfer – I’d go and pick him up from Brighton if I had to.

“It was only a couple of seasons ago that he was going through an amazing spell of form at Brighton.

“I think injuries have set him back a bit, but he has some great experience and is a really good player, technically fantastic.

“That bit of quality which would improve the starting eleven, to be honest, in any Championship team, so, yes, I would take him all day long.”

Solly March would provide experience for Southampton

Canada international striker Cyle Larin is once again firing for Saints at the start of the season and the 31-year-old attacker does provide invaluable experience at the top end of the pitch for Saints.

Beyond that, though, Southampton are mainly looking at their back-line, consisting of Manning, Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis for much of that intangible ‘leadership’ and ‘experience’.

As well as being able to provide that with his now lengthy and sustained top-flight pedigree, March’s versatility gives Eckert options to transition to a back three system as well as maintaining his currently preferred 4-2-3-1 setup.

Southampton have plenty of options for the spots behind the striker but players such as Leo Scienza and Finn Azaz would not be described as ‘out-and-out’ wingers.

Even Dobbin’s impressive season on loan at Preston North End last year saw him thrive as one of two in Paul Heckingbottom’s 3-5-2 system at Deepdale, perhaps leaving only Tom Fellows and Samuel Edozie as thoroughbred wingers.

Fixing an issue in terms of squad construction while also bringing in someone with the quality and experience of March would suggest Southampton’s pursuit is something of a ‘no-brainer’, albeit concerns over his fitness issues would have to linger.