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Southampton travel to the Hawthorns on Monday night as they take on West Brom in the Premier League, where three points would surely bring an end to any relegation fears Saints fans might have this season.
The South Coast club slipped down the table after a woeful run of form in 2021 but things are on the up after an impressive 3-2 comeback win against Burnley last weekend, whilst Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side also have their FA Cup semi-final to look forward to next weekend.
If the Austrian wants to give his side the best chance of success against Sam Allardyce’s side on Monday, he should consider restoring Takumi Minamino to his starting lineup.
The Japanese international was left out against Burnley due to being fatigued from the international break but he should be fit to feature at the Hawthorns on Monday night.
Should Minamino start vs West Brom?
Yes
No
The 26-year-old has impressed since joining on loan from Liverpool late in the winter transfer window, managing two goals in six appearances, despite the Saints’ dreadful Premier League form since the turn of the year.
In a game where Southampton are likely to have a lot of possession, Hasenhuttl should select the players he feels are best on the ball and Minamino has averaged more passes per game than the likes of Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott and Moussa Djenepo, who are perhaps the most likely to challenge him for a starting spot on the left-hand side.
He has also averaged 1.5 shots per game with the Saints this season, which marks him out as more of a goal threat than either Redmond or Djenepo.
However, it is not just his attacking play that should earn him a start against the Baggies, as his pressing intensity has also been impressive with both Liverpool and Southampton this season, and against a side prone to defensive mistakes, it could be very useful to have the Japanese international constantly closing the opposition players down.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described the £10.8m-rated winger as a “machine” for the way he closed down Ajax in a Champions League earlier in the season, so perhaps he could have the same impact at the Hawthorns for Southampton.
Certainly, he will be fresh and keen to make a positive impression now that there is plenty of competition for spots in Hasenhuttl’s side, whilst there is also the added bonus that he is cup-tied next weekend, so can run himself into the ground against West Brom without worrying about whether he will be fit to play at Wembley.
Therefore, Hasenhuttl should restore the former RB Salzburg man to his starting line-up on Monday, as he could prove to be the game-changer against the Baggies.
And, in other news… Semmens could land Southampton their next Romeu in “outstanding” PL gem
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