The greater challenges may lie ahead for Southampton, both on and off the field when you consider the brewing interest in their star assets. But in terms of a marker for a new manager and the delivery of his philosophy, this was an emphatic sign of what to expect from the Saints under Russell Martin this season.
It is perhaps important to caveat this victory on a thoroughly entertaining opening night at Hillsborough with the point that barely three months ago these two sides were two divisions apart. On that basis, what Sheffield Wednesday produced in terms of a second-half fightback will give them hope for the mammoth slog ahead. But ultimately it was Southampton who secured victory with a performance that was, in reality, a near-perfect embodiment of their manager’s style.
“There’s loads to improve on, which I’m excited about,” Martin reflected after this pulsating opening night victory. “But to do that in the first game, and to recover from the setback of conceding from a set piece, is great.” Martin’s spells in charge of MK Dons and, more recently, Swansea City were notable for high-pressing, possession-based football.
How that was accomplished here, with the Saints completing more than 900 passes and, at times – including a Championship record for one half of 477 in the first half – hinting at a clear gulf in quality between the sides. James Ward-Prowse, who continues to be linked with a move away in the coming weeks, was at the heart of almost everything they did well. To suggest the Saints were accomplished in possession would be an understatement.
But if there is one criticism of Martin’s style, it is that it can often be possession for possession’s sake. At times here, the cutting-edge felt missing after Adam Armstrong’s eighth-minute opener. You felt Southampton could and perhaps should have been further ahead by the break – and they almost paid the price. “I would have been frustrated,” Martin admitted when asked how he would have felt if this had finished 1-1.
Hillsborough was eerily quiet in that first half as Southampton dominated but it came alive nine minutes after the restart, when Lee Gregory prodded home a Will Vaulks corner to level the score. It was a rare off moment from the visitors but Wednesday were much improved from that point onwards too, and looked as though they were heading for a draw which would have represented a fantastic result given everything in play.
How cruel, therefore, that it was a former Sheffield United striker who popped up with the winner with four minutes remaining, as Ché Adams turned home a Ward-Prowse cross to send the travelling support into delirium.
Southampton wasted little time in putting Martin’s style into practice in south Yorkshire. They had an almost instant reward too, as a curling effort from the impressive Nathan Tella deflected off Adam Armstrong’s head and past Cameron Dawson.
However, while the visitors remained dominant in possession, there were few clear-cut opportunities. Their one-goal lead felt merited without question, but also as though it could have been more had there been some further intent. And when Gregory equalised nine minutes after the restart, you wondered if Southampton’s lack of a killer instinct would haunt them. They immediately returned on to the front foot but Wednesday were certainly improved in the second half, and this performance will give them hope aplenty they can survive this season.
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But in the end, they switched off at a crucial moment. Another Southampton foray into the Wednesday box this time ended in clinical fashion, with Ward-Prowse cutting back across goal and Adams sparking wild celebrations with an expert finish. Perhaps most impressive of all was how the Saints navigated stoppage time, passing around their opponents with consummate ease.
This was certainly a slick opening from Southampton. And if Martin is right that there is improvement to come in this group, whether or not they keep their big names like Ward-Prowse, there could be an exciting ride ahead for their supporters.
