On the latest episode of the Total Saints podcast, Southampton journalist Dan Sheldon has been speaking about all things related to the south coast side.
The Saints’ run of two consecutive 3-1 victories came to a crashing halt on Tuesday night as Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men.
Should Hasenhuttl start Tella more often?
Yes
No
In Southampton’s 3-1 victory over Scott Parker’s Fulham on the weekend, Theo Walcott came off from the bench to score their third goal and ultimately seal all three points.
Youngster Nathan Tella proved a threat from the bench, too. The 21-year-old was able to grab a goal and an assist in his 32 minutes on the pitch.
However, speaking before the clash against Leeds, Sheldon discussed the 53-year-old manager’s concerns over a lack of impact from the bench this season.
Sheldon said: “It was just that there were so many positives that I took from that game [Fulham win] and none more so than six or seven weeks ago, Ralph told me on one of his post-match press conferences that when he makes substitutes, they make the team worse.
“And that I thought at the time was a damning assessment. I still think it’s a damning assessment today, but for Walcott, and Tella to both come on, and both contribute was just superb.”
TIF Thoughts on Hasenhuttl’s concerns…
Given what Sheldon revealed about Hasenhuttl’s ‘damning’ comments, the victory over Fulham will certainly have pleased the Saints boss.
However, it seems having Walcott and Tella in from the start did not have the desired effect on Tuesday, so perhaps their impact against lowly Fulham was a one-off.
That said, with young players such as Tella impressing towards the back end of the season, it could suggest Hasenhuttl should have given some of his younger players more of a chance, with loan signing Takumi Minamino failing to set the world alight at St. Mary’s.
Just two games remain of the 2020/21 campaign, but could Tella put a serious claim in to become one of their starting players for next season?
In other news: ‘Everything I’ve heard suggests’ – Journalist provides big update on Southampton star’s future