Southampton lose at Oxford United in pre-season: Talking points

Mark Harris and Ruben Rodrigues scored in the first half, and although the Saints boasted more possession and territory in the second period, the U’s defended well and gave up little space for the visitors to work in.

The friendly posed an ideal opportunity for United to test themselves against a strong outfit, and here, we picked out some of the key talking points from the game.

Read our match report here

Rodrigues running the show

It was an impressive display from Rodrigues, who assisted Harris for the opener, and then doubled the lead.

He was involved in just about everything good that the U’s did in the final third, with his pressing and quality on the ball catching the eye.

The midfielder took advantage of a poor ball out from Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, leading to an early chance, while it was his cross which allowed Harris to put United in front.

Rodrigues drifted out to the right-hand side, where he was afforded time to play the ball across the six-yard box, where Harris stabbed home.

Shortly before the break, Rodrigues pounced on a loose pass, and calmly finished from just outside the penalty box.

Competition in midfield is going to be intense this season, with Idris El Mizouni, Louie Sibley and Will Vaulks all arriving this summer.

Rodrigues though demonstrated what he can do against a quality opponent.

Midfield set-up

That leads us nicely onto the midfield dynamic more generally.

Vaulks played as the pivot in midfield against Southampton, with Rodrigues and Cameron Brannagan the two in front of him.

Brannagan was the one who would drop deeper when the U’s were out of possession, and that box-to-box role suits him perfectly.

He was the one playing the pivot role last season, but the signing of Vaulks allows Brannagan that extra creative freedom.

As evidenced last night, he still got stuck in and performed his defensive duties, but going forward, he was able to link up play and start attacks.

Squeezing the best out of Brannagan will no doubt be instrumental in how United fare in the second tier this season.

Width required

One area though where the U’s will want to get fresh faces through the door still, is in the final third.

United started with a trialist on the left wing, and Tyler Goodrham on the opposite flank. The changes just after the hour mark saw Gatlin O’Donkor and Sibley take to the wings.

The problem there is fairly obvious. Owen Dale and Przemyslaw Placheta are the only contracted wingers at the club, but are both currently out with minor fitness issues.

Natural wingers have to be the priority for the U’s in the transfer window.