On Tuesday, Southampton’s social media team released a pretty innocuous four-second video from first-team training this week as the players prepare for the upcoming game against Leicester City as the 2018/19 Premier League campaign continues.
With manager Mark Hughes waiting for his opening victory of the new year with us battling to a scoreless draw against Burnley on the opening day and losing out to Everton last weekend, some old 2017/18 concerns are creeping back into elements of the fan base.
You don't save those, @Mgabbia23! ???? #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/ApRjNMTlHR
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 21, 2018
As you can see, the clip itself doesn’t do or say much – but it’s a hell of strike from Manolo Gabbiadini, and reacting to the tweet plenty of fans implored Hughes to start the Italian international this weekend and partner him up with summer arrival Danny Ings.
Here here, him and Ings please
— Gavin Hopgood (@HopgoodGavin) August 21, 2018
Yes , this!
— Gary (@gardaw54) August 21, 2018
Exactly! What a daft tweet, showing an unstoppable goal in training from a guy who can’t get in a team that can’t score goals.
— Edwin Moody (@EdwinJamesMoody) August 21, 2018
Hope he starts with Ings on sat and shows what he’s capable of
— Nick Price (@NickPrice) August 21, 2018
Would be good if we stopped seeing these goals in training and actually in a game.
— Jonathan Latimer (@Jonnie_Latimer) August 21, 2018
It did lead to some debate about Shane Long and selections, but it’s early in the season, players are looking for form – especially after last season’s debacle – but there’s plenty of time for it to come together and tensions will certainly ease when we pick up that first win and confidence should naturally rocket from there.
One of those strikes this weekend certainly wouldn’t go amiss either!