Southampton fans will likely feel like they have deja vu after watching their side completely dominate Huddersfield Town only to end up drawing the game.
Russell Martin’s side made the trip up north the strong favourites after three consecutive wins, especially given Huddersfield sat in 21st place prior to the game.
The Saints were also boosted by the fact that Will Smallbone was fit enough to start having pulled out of the Ireland squad through injury.
Captain Adam Armstrong gave Southampton a deserved lead in first-half injury time, but Huddersfield’s Ben Jackson equalised in the 87th minute to send Southampton on the long journey home with one point rather than the three they desired.
Martin’s men rue not making possession count
The game followed the pattern that was expected prior to kick-off, with Southampton dominating the ball and Huddersfield more than happy to let their opponents control proceedings. In possession terms, it is difficult to envisage how Southampton could have been more in control, having a massive 78% of the ball.
Ultimately, though, possession does not win football matches and this is often the stick that those within the fanbase less enamoured with Martin’s style like to beat him with. The game had echoes of the home draw with Rotherham United in which Southampton had so much control that the game was played at walking pace at times, and yet Southampton’s dominance also resulted in a 1-1 draw that day.
The most frustrating thing for Martin will be the fact that his side had 16 shots and seven corners and yet only managed four shots on target in the entire game. Despite their lack of time spent with the ball Huddersfield managed two shots on target from their ten total efforts at goal, showing that Southampton were perhaps never really in control of the game.
Just to emphasise Southampton’s dominance further, as well as highlight the differences in approach between the two sides, Southampton made 872 passes to Huddersfield’s 237. However, the only statistic that really matters is the score and that finished even.
Ross Stewart must make big impact
What is clear from the statistics is that Southampton have to be more clinical and must find ways to turn their dominance into goals in order to avoid dropping points in games they should really be winning comfortably.
Adam Armstrong was on target for the Saints again, scoring his tenth league goal of the campaign, and yet you could still easily argue he is not clinical enough. Southampton need a striker who can not only be efficient with his chance conversion in these games but also make the difference in tight games against better opposition.
That puts pressure on summer signing Ross Stewart, but it is something he should thrive off of. Stewart replaced Stuart Armstrong on 80 minutes with his side 1-0 up for his second cameo in his bid to return from the achilles injury that has prevented him being involved sooner. In truth, he had little opportunity to get into the game, but both Southampton and Stewart himself will be hoping he is the man to turn these frustrating draws into wins.
With ten goals and three assists in his 13 Championship games prior to making the move from Sunderland to the south coast, it is clear to see why Southampton pursued the Scots’ services. Having been out since January, Stewart is unlikely to start in the immediate future but his impact should grow in the coming weeks as he looks to get match fit.
It may have been a different story had one of Southampton’s 13 shots in the box fell to Stewart, but given he only had 17 minutes including added time to make his mark he cannot be criticised for his inability to have a telling moment.
In time, Stewart is certain to be Southampton’s main striker, and after the draw at Huddersfield that can’t come soon enough.