Preview Panel - Southampton

Welcome back to the Preview Panel, where we tap into the opinions of legends, fans and the media ahead of our matches this season. Next up, a trip to Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday (12noon).

Introducing the panel...

David Howells - Only 15 when he first played for our youth teams, David progressed through the system to make his debut in February, 1986 and went on to make 335 appearances in all competitions, lifting the FA Cup in 1991. A box-to-box midfielder and regular captain, ‘Howellsy’ departed for Southampton in 1998, but a persistent knee injury forced his retirement in 2000.

Jonathan Veal - A regular at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and with us in press boxes around the country, Jonathan covers Spurs for the Press Association.

Simon Peach - Simon may follow Manchester United and England in his role as Chief Football Writer at the Press Association, but his footballing loyalties remain at St Mary's, and he provides an insight into Southampton for us.

The bounce back question...

It’s obvious really, but how important is it for us to react to last week’s loss against Everton?

David: “I don’t think I lost that many on the first day of the season (he didn’t, just one!) but, certainly, you need that first win under your belt and the longer it goes on, the worse it is. It’s not been the ‘normal’ build-up to this season, but I guess everyone is in the same boat. Southampton will be disappointed with their result at Palace (they lost 1-0 at Selhurst Park last weekend). Both teams will be champing at the bit to get off the mark.”

Jonathan: “I think it is really important for Spurs to bounce back from that defeat, just because it was so disappointing in terms of the result and the performance. Everyone knows that the Everton game was nowhere near what Spurs can produce, so hopefully they can showcase their real talents on Sunday. The Premier League is a marathon, but Spurs found out last season just how hard it is when you are chasing the pack, so they will be keen to get some points on the board and try and jostle for position in the top six early on in the season.”

Familiarity breeds...

We faced each other four times last season - twice in the Premier League, twice in the FA Cup - so what type of game should we expect this time around?

David: “Familiarity breeds... caution, in many ways. You get to know your opponent really well, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg plays for us now, we know their right-back well (Kyle Walker-Peters), players will be coming up against players they’ve been in combat with four times last season so will know their strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, it’s not a stalemate and we can go there and put on a performance.”

Jonathan: “They are definitely two teams that know each other well and at one point in January it seemed like Spurs were not playing anyone else. All four games against the Saints last season were tough and settled by one goal and this is going to be no different. We saw what problems they can cause in those three quickfire games earlier this year and in Danny Ings they have one of the top goalscorers in the division, so Spurs are not going to be able to afford to be below their best. I don't think it is the ideal time to travel to St Mary's, Southampton have something to prove after two defeats so far this season (Palace, Brentford in the Carabao Cup) and of course they have had an extra day's recovery following their Carabao Cup game. That said, if Spurs can play to their best and find their attacking groove then I think they should have enough to be able to bring the three points back.”

On the Saints...

What is everyone expecting from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team this season after their impressive end to 2019/20?

David: “Ralph is a very ambitious manager and he will want to improve them again. In fairness, he did ever so well to ride out the storm after getting beaten 9-0 at home by Leicester last season. They came back from that brilliantly. That sort of humbling defeat at home, especially in front of the fans, you could lose them, and everything suddenly goes against you, so credit to the manager and the players for turning the season around. I’m sure safety will be the first priority, but in reality, I’ll guess they will be looking to push on and get around those European places.”

Jonathan: “I know they have had a disappointing start to the season, but Southampton will be aiming for a top-half finish this season. Everyone was really impressed with how they recovered from that 9-0 defeat against Leicester last season and as mentioned above, they proved in the games against Spurs just how good and dangerous they can be. They won't be panicking after losing a couple of matches, so I think a top-10 finish is more than achievable, especially if Danny Ings can recreate his scoring form of last season - as long as it is after Sunday!”

A couple for David...

Do you have a favourite memory of playing Southampton?
David: “Rocket Ronny Rosenthal’s hat-trick in the FA Cup win at The Dell (6-2, 1995) for a start… we had some strange games against Southampton, home and away. I remember us scoring four goals in five minutes at White Hart Lane (1993), that was crazy. A couple of times we played the first game of the season down at The Dell (1991, 1992), I remember Alan Shearer scoring down there. It was always a decent game against Southampton, and always tough.”

What are you up to at the moment? Spurs fans would love to know...
David: "I’m now a Performance Analyst, Mentor and Coach for a company called Playerworks-CSM. I just try to give them advice, try and help as much as I can. It’s a nice way to be involved without the volatility of being a coach or manager! You also get the same buzz when a player comes through and makes his debut and you’ve played a part in his career.”

View from St Mary’s - Simon Peach

Tell us about last week’s opener, a 1-0 loss at Palace?
Simon: “Of all Premier League fans, I would say that Southampton would have been amongst the most optimistic given the way the team returned from lockdown (they finished 11th after being as low as 19th in November). They had the third best away record last season, but they looked flat at Selhurst Park. Palace’s tactics had as much to do with it as anything, they sat back and used their pace on the counter. I’m expecting a response, but Southampton also have a poor home record (19th of 20 last season). I’m not sure how Saints beat Spurs at home in the last two seasons!”

The teams played each other four times last season - what could be key this time around?
Simon: “The seasons have kind of merged into one at the moment, and I think the midfield battle will be key. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will know Southampton as well as anyone and his void hasn’t really been filled yet. I think whoever sharpens up most in midfield from the opening games will have a good shot, because that means better service to Harry Kane and Danny Ings as well.”

Which player(s) should we look out for at St Mary’s?
Simon: “There are obvious names, James-Ward Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Danny Ings, Che Adams, but I think Moussa Djenepo will really kick on this season. He showed some really exciting flashes last season. His goal against Brighton was great, the one against Sheffield United even better, and was up for Goal of the Season. He might start, maybe in place of Will Smallbone, who will also only improve. They are the players who might be under the radar at the moment.”