Growing Belief & Midfield Questions: Three Things We Learnt After Southampton Edged Past Norwich | OneFootball

Southampton are starting to look like a side that knows how to win ugly. They defeated the Canaries 1-0 to move into the playoff positions — a place they haven’t occupied since gameweek one.

Norwich haven’t tasted league defeat on the road since January, given their recent surge up the table under Belgian manager Philippe Clement. In a game that delivered on its promise of action, what did we learn, both tactically and in the bigger picture?

1. Southampton Can Grind Out Results

The South Coast outfit extend their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions. Despite only amassing 0.58 xG, Tonda Eckert’s men broke the deadlock with a classy finish from Irishman Finn Azaz.

A long throw found striker Cyle Larin. The Canadian flicked it over to Azaz, who took it past two Norwich defenders and lifted it over the goalkeeper into the top left corner. The 25-year-old was silky on the ball and remained pivotal in alleviating pressure from the Saints’ defence. He consistently picked up on loose balls and found space to play progressively, kickstarting counterattacks.

After Southampton took the lead, their defensive improvements shone.

Previously, before Daniel Peretz, they had totalled just four clean sheets. Since his signing in January, Peretz has already accumulated six, with just 0.83 goals conceded per 90.

While Southampton improved defensively, Norwich still found joy through the middle, accessing central pockets. Against Coventry, Eckert opted for his side to operate in a 4-1-4-1 setup, where they condensed the midfield to limit Matt Grimes and Frank Onyeka’s output. Today, they reverted to the 4-2-3-1, meaning Norwich had more space in central zones.

In the second half, Flynn Downes and Caspar Jander were repeatedly played through. Norwich’s front four consistently occupied the half-spaces between Southampton’s midfield and defence. This exposed a recurring issue in Southampton’s double pivot, with both 6s unable to track the man behind. During the press, they were sometimes drawn too high, leaving transitional gaps.

This meant the likes of forward Slimane could receive and turn between the lines, leading to 14 shots and almost double the shots on target as their opponents. It’s an issue that didn’t cost them here, but on another day, it likely would.

However, Norwich lacked cutting-edge chances, especially due to the consistent last-ditch defending by Southampton. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has seen major improvements since the turn of the new year, as shown by winning 100% of his ground duels. The Englishman was as composed as usual, without being dispossessed once, and all three of his long balls found the desired target.

Winger Samuel Edozie impressed in his first league start. Despite having a goal disallowed, the 23-year-old had a specific role which he carried out to a tee. Norwich pressed high when the Saints built from the back. They committed one player to mark each of the Saints’ backline and midfield.

This man-to-man approach caused problems, as it gave significantly less time on the ball. Edozie and Ryan Manning often fluctuated in position, where Manning would operate further up the pitch, and Edozie dropped back. With Patrick Maghoma tracking him closely, Southampton looked to find Ryan Manning to exploit a less defensively minded winger.

Southampton are starting to manage games far more effectively. They limited Norwich to chances of volume rather than quality, solely focusing on holding onto the lead.

2. St Mary’s Is Becoming a Fortress

Since Eckert’s takeover as senior head coach, he’s overseen just one loss on home turf – a significant achievement, given they had won there only once prior under Will Still.

The Saints have climbed to eighth place in the home table, alongside 33 points at St Mary’s thus far. League leaders Coventry have just 12 points more.

From Eckert urging the fans to keep on singing to the atmosphere’s significant improvement, the Saints are now utilising home advantage effectively. They must continue to do so this weekend against Oxford to maintain momentum heading into the international break.

After the break, the Saints welcome Arsenal in the FA Cup Quarter Finals – an exciting clash for Eckert and his side to prove themselves against the best in England.

3. The Bigger Picture…

A 1-0 victory against the most in-form team in the league has further solidified Southampton’s claim for the playoffs. Defeating Coventry just five days prior, it’s been a defining week for the South Coast outfit’s promotion push.

Norwich failed to close the gap to the playoffs, sitting nine points behind sixth and 12th in the table. Clement has guided the Canaries out of the relegation conversation, but a huge task remains if they’re to mount a push with only eight games left.

As the Saints creep through on goal difference, they can’t slip up now. After the international break, Southampton travel to playoff rivals Wrexham, who have just slipped into seventh. Recent wins were a necessity, but they’ll ultimately mean nothing if they fall short against the Welsh side.

The foundations are there – now they have to prove they’re enough to stay. That growing belief is reflected inside the dressing room.