Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton - Preview

We take an in-depth look at our visitors to Hillsborough this Friday, what we can expect, and how we might line up.

Sheffield Wednesday get their season underway this Friday night with an opening game fixture against newly relegated Southampton. Like Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton have a new Head Coach at the helm in possession of zealot Russell Martin.

We take a look at how Southampton might line up. Their strengths and weaknesses. And how we can exploit them.

Southampton: what to expect?

Some might say it’s a good time to play Southampton, who are settling in under new Head Coach, Russell Martin. Some may also say it has come at a bad time, with Sheffield Wednesday late to the transfer party, and Munoz himself asking fans to be patient.

It is difficult to know what to expect from this Southampton team. Last year’s Premier League basement club amassed just 25 points, however, that does not tell the full story; Southampton’s expected points, XG vs XG, was some 13 points higher on 38.4 points.

Looking at other stats from the 22/23 PL season, you can see why Southampton may have warranted more points. They finished 14th on the possession stats, averaging 47% of the ball per game. They are inside the top 8 on attacking touches in the penalty area.

It is hard to discern from the data a consistent style in Southampton from last season. This is unsurprising, given they had three Head Coaches over the season.

Enter Russell Martin, the former Swansea City chief. Martin is a coach with a clear style; the possession zealot averaged 535 passes per 90 minutes during his time at Swansea in the 22/23 Championship season. No Championship finished higher. For reference, only Manchester City had higher passes per 90 in English football. Sheffield Wednesday averaged 363 in League 1 last season.

It would be fair to say that Martin somewhat favours a build-up approach. But that is putting it lightly. Swansea topped the table for 10+ pass sequences, with some 836 over the season, nearly 100 more than second-place Burnley. Swansea’s build-up attacks contributed to a staggering 80% of their total attacks. That is 6% higher than second-place Burnley and 20% higher than third-place Middlesborough.

How have Southampton adapted to Martin?

Like Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton will need time to adapt to the new style of football brought in by Russell Martin. It was hoped, at least by me, that Southampton might be a little disjointed by the sudden and drastic change of style.

Martin has, however, looked to keep the 433 shape that Southampton played for much of the back end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, opting not to go for his favoured variation of the 343 system that he installed at Swansea. This will no doubt help the transition.

Judging by the preseason games, Southampton are looking to install a high press. As per the video below. This is where Martin’s Swansea fell down last season, whilst they were largely dominant In possession, their success off the ball left more to be desired; despite having a 7th lowest PPDA, which means that they were in fact the 7th highest pressing team, Swansea ranked 21th on the total number of high turnovers. Having dynamic players at his disposal at Southampton, such as Tella and Armstrong, will certainly help.

It appears, at least from the preseason games, that Southampton have adapted well under Martin. Maybe not surprising, given the quality of the players at their disposal.

In their last outing against AZ Alkmaar, which Saints, undeservedly, lost 1-0, there were signs of the fluid build-up football you would from a Russell Martin team (video below).

Southampton have scored 7 goals in their 5 preseason outings.

There are some teething issues at St Mary’s, thankfully. Whilst Southampton’s midfield and strikers have adapted well to life under Martin, the same might not be said about their defence. Who have looked unsure both on and off the ball.

The video below shows the latter, and the potential weaknesses in the back line of Southampton. In the aforementioned AZ Alkmaar game, whilst the Saints were largely the dominant team, AZ caused Southampton issues when they took a direct approach, either by passing or running.

Russell Martin will demand his players play out from the back. Whilst Southampton are comfortable moving the ball in their midfield and attacking third, their defenders may need some adapting to Martin’s style. You see, below, how Southampton attempted to play out against a high press in the preseason game against South Coast rivals Bournemouth. This is where it may be of use playing Southampton early, especially at Hillsborough.

What tactics might we use?

It is difficult to predict teams for both Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton. Sheffield Wednesday were late to the transfer party, and as such, it is difficult to predict which players are ready and fit. Southampton is a little different in that key players may be sold between now (I am writing this on Wednesday) and Friday.

Predicted teams

Sheffield Wednesday: 4141

Dawson

Paterson, Iorfa, Famewo, James

Vaulks

Delgado Byers BannanWindass

Smith

Southampton: 433

McCarthy

Walker-Peters, Charles, Stephens, Manning

Ward-Prowse, Lavia/Smallbone, Alcaraz

Tella, Armstrong, Edozie

Sheffield Wednesday should adopt a high press from Southampton goal kicks aiming to win the ball back high in their defensive third. Southampton, throughout their friendlies, have lined up with CBs taking the ball inside the box.

I have painted a picture below where the ball goes out left side from a goal kick. The strategy suggested is to leave the full-back available for the ball and the other CB/GK but strikers to move into a front foot pressing position and jumping when the ball moves.

If Southampton beat the press, or recover the ball in the middle third, I would recommend sitting back and being patient. Russell Martin’s side can often be accused of keeping the ball for the sake of keeping it. We should allow Southampton possession in the middle third and wait for opportunities to recover the ball. Leaving passing lanes open to CBs behind the ball and allowing spaces for Midfield players to receive deep. A role of the CdM for Sheffield Wednesday out of possession is to screen and discourage the ball from coming into Zone 14.

Southampton will have lots of possession. There is no stopping it. We just need to minimise possession in Zone 14 and other dangerous areas.

To exploit Southampton’s defensive frailties, we need to ensure we put their back line under pressure. The video above showed the reluctance in the challenge, which led to a reading chance. Maximising the ball going into Zone 14 under challenge, ensuring the lone striker has support from either CM or wingers. We have to get players around the striker more than we have in preseason. This will be key Friday.

END ****

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Tom