Southampton’s key takeaways after 1-1 Coventry draw | OneFootball

Southampton were left frustrated by a 1-1 draw with Coventry, unable to make a lengthy man advantage count. They go into Christmas 11th in the Championship.

Coventry led through a header from a cross by Ephron Mason-Clark, then Nathan Wood equalised. According to Daily Echo, Wood did not see a point as acceptable, and head coach Tonda Eckert felt they should have won.

The opener again highlighted fragility against balls into the box. Taylor Harwood-Bellis told Welington to pick up another runner, and Eckert was angrier about the build-up, perhaps Ryan Manning not closing Victor Torp.

In attack, the patterns have become predictable. Aerial balls towards Adam Armstrong rarely bring chances, whereas their goal arrived when Armstrong crossed to the bigger Wood.

Pushing for a winner, Eckert even sent Gavin Bazunu up for a corner, yet the 32 year old kept three centre-backs on as Coventry sat deep under Frank Lampard. Direct runner Jay Robinson and winger Ryan Fraser stayed unused while Southampton recycled the ball without finding many clear openings.

Oriol Romeu, without a pre-season, looks off the pace and is getting few minutes to build sharpness. He seemed set to come on late, then stayed sidelined through nine added minutes, and has under 50 minutes across four cameos.

Meanwhile, Leo Scienza’s cult grows. He handed his boots to fans, drew praise from Lampard, and with family watching produced another player-of-the-match display, and after a terrific run he ought to have scored.

Source: Daily Echo