Southampton manager Will Still is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares his team for their upcoming clash against Championship leaders Stoke City. With the transfer window nearing its close and squad adjustments still underway, Still is also focusing on refining the Saints' set-piece strategy, an area he deems 'vital' for success.
Transfer Window Frustrations
Still has expressed his frustration with the complexities of the current transfer market, citing external barriers that are hindering the club's ability to both buy and sell players. He mentioned national team coaches influencing player decisions regarding club choices. Despite these challenges, Southampton are reportedly linked with Manchester City defender Issa Kabore, and Still confirmed ongoing negotiations. The potential signing of Armenian midfielder Eduard Spertsyan is also proving to be a slow process.
Set-Piece Focus Ahead of Stoke City Clash
After a busy start to the season with three games in eight days, Still has dedicated the past week to intensive training, with a particular emphasis on set-pieces. He acknowledged that Southampton's offensive set-pieces have been lacking, with wasted opportunities due to poor timing and delivery quality. Still aims to rectify this by improving the timing of runs and the overall quality of set-piece execution.
The Long Throw Threat
The introduction of long-throw specialist Joshua Quarshie, signed from Germany this summer, adds another dimension to Southampton's set-piece arsenal. Still believes that creating panic in the opposition box through long throws can open up scoring opportunities. He emphasized the importance of precise setup, correct runs, and accurate ball delivery to maximize the effectiveness of these plays.
Southampton will host Stoke City on Saturday, August 23rd, in a highly anticipated match. Can Still's meticulous preparation and focus on set-pieces give the Saints the edge they need to overcome the Championship leaders? Fans are eager to find out.