x

Saints At West Ham Player Assessments

Our look at how each player performed during Saturday's great win at Upton Park as we hammered the Hammers.

Fraser Forster
Another good solid performance from the keeper who made a decent save with the score at 0-0, the goal took a wicked deflection that made it dip just before it reached him, other than that though commanded his area well and his defence seem to have confidence in him. 8/10

Nathaniel Clyne
Defended well and as Saints got to grips with the game in the second half linked well with the midfield to mauraud dwon the flank as was shown by his cross that led to the third goal. 8/10

Yoshida
A solid display from Japanese central defender, under Pochettino perhaps he had little motivation, but under Koeman he seems to be playing for his place knowing that if he plays well he stays in the team, competition breeds competiveness not complacency. 8/10

Jose Fonte
The captaincy seems to suit him and he put in another good performance dealing with all that was thrown at him, again the fact that now there seems to be no one with a guaranteed place is spurring him on 8/10

Plastic Bertrand
Like Clyne a good display used his pace both defensively and going forward, looks comfortable in the side 8/10

Dusan Tadic
Another great display and another assist putting in a great cross that found Morgan Schneiderlin for the equaliser and on the second was switched on to take a quick corner, he seems to get better with each game 9/10

Morgan Schneiderlin
Superb game capped by two well taken goals, one thing is for sure Morgan is a professional and a vital member of the side 9/10

James Ward Prowse
hard to believe how young he is and now seems to be relishing the chance to be a first choice in the side, his quick thinking to get the ball off of Tadic and then cross for Schneiderlin set up the second goal. 8/10

Steven Davis
Did what he does week in week out, works hard and keeps things moving in midfield, a player that doesnt get the credit he deserves but like Saturday he rarely has a bad game 8/10

Shane Long
Asked to play a different role in that he drops deeper and wider than he has perhaps been used to, but he worked hard and for that reason didnt have a bad game, his best is yet to come but he is a good option in the squad 8/10

Graziano Pelle
What a difference a week makes, he looked a different player up at Upton Park after breaking his duck on Tuesday, when Saints use him properly ie keep the ball into him and not above him he can bring people into play, also worked hard in our area when West Ham used their aerial balls from set pieces and throw ins, scored a goal that should have been allowed and took his chance when it came. 9/10

Subs

Gaston Ramirez
Perhaps Gaston can finally be the player we know he is, he had a bounce about him when he came on that he idnt have at all last season, Koeman's style of play suits him far more than Pochettino's ever did 8/10

Jack Cork
Again another good performance when he came on and moved the ball quickly around as shown in the build up to the third goal 8/10

Ronald Koeman
Showed that he is not afraid to make big decisions dropping Wanyama who has been outstanding in the opening games, perhaps Ron thought that the battle would not be about winning the ball in the centre with West ham bypassing that area, so he left Wanyama out and changed our tactics.

This was a game won by the fact that our manager has more than one plan and can change it in a game, this was the first time we have come from behind to win a game in nearly two years and there is a reason for the reason we didnt under Pochettino and a reason why we have now under Koeman 9/10

The Match
An enjoyable game for Saints fans as it showed that Saints can compete, in fact more than compete, the stats were like those of last season but the difference is the style and tempo has changed, this is more controlled football than last season's pressing game and in truth is more entertaining when we play like we did on Saturday.

We are still a work in progress but this game showed we are making giant strides

What to read next:

Southampton V Liverpool The Verdict
A performance from Saints that veered from one end of the spectrum to the other, but ultimately a battling performance was ruined by all 3 goals being gifted to Liverpool in one shape or form.
Southampton 2 - 3 Liverpool - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Will Saints Be Cast Adrift At The Bottom Before They Kick A Ball This Weekend
The Premier League table does not make good viewing unless you turn it upside down, Southampton are rock bottom 2 points adrift from the team above and 4 points off Ipswich 4th from bottom, so will that gap be worse before we kick off on Sunday.
Southampton V Liverpool The Preview
Usually the visit of Liverpool to The Dell & St Mary's was something that Saints fans looked forward to in the calendar, it was a game that often threw up a shock result for the home side, but as we go into the latest clash with the Merseyside men, there seems little hope of that this year.
Return Dates Set For Injured Southampton Duo Ramsdale And Bednarek
If you thought that things couldn't get worse for Russell Martin after the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then think again, injuries to two key players in the past fortnight have added to his woes.
Do Southampton Need To Recall Bella-Kotchap For Liverpool Clash
With Jan Bednarek seemingly set to miss his first Premier League game of the season, Saints are struggling for central defenders to take on the League leaders Liverpool at St Mary's, is it time to bring in a player out of the cold.
Does Shea Charles Prove That Russell Martin's Player Judgement is Flawed
There has been a lot of words typed on the internet about Russell Martin and his tactics, but is this just the reason as to why we are doing badly in the Premier League, last season there was a clear evidence that his player selection is not what it should be.
Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton
If the next few weeks were going to be tough with the potential absence of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, then they are now getting much worse with the news that a central defender has been injured in International duty over the weekend.
England England's Number 16
It was a dream England debut for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in front of his future Father in law ex Manchester United & Republic of Ireland legend Roy Keane, not only scoring but also nearly getting an assist.
Nick's Saints Saints Away Travel Lay On 6th Coach For Brighton
Brighton away was the first fixture Southampton fans looked for when they came out back in June so there was great disappointment when the game was switched to a Friday night as it means it's virtually impossible to get back on the train.