Former Player Jo Tessem Questions Southampton’s Playing Style

Former Southampton player Jo Tessem has asserted that the team’s proficiency in playing out from the back is inadequate, indicating that “something has to give” for Saints to maintain their Premier League status this season. He pointed to a series of defensive errors, including the one on Sunday that resulted in Flynn Downes setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s initial goal, as the seventh instance this season where a mistake directly led to an opponent scoring. Speaking on Goin’ Home With Adam And Jo, Tessem remarked, “In the first half of the game we were trying to play possession football, in our half, when there wasn’t actually any space to play it.” He added, “Liverpool were set up to punish us. They were just waiting.” Tessem continued, “Some of it comes down to the responsibility of the players – but Russell Martin has said it is his ideas and style, so the main responsibility lies on him. He is the one who is saying that is how we are going to play.” He further emphasized, “We are here in the Premier League and you play to stay in the league, not to go down. If the style of play clearly isn’t good enough for it – and we are clearly not good enough at it – then something has to give.” Tessem clarified his position, stating, “We don’t need big changes – so I’m not saying just boot the ball up long – but the possession football you have has to come from smart play that stretches the opponent.” He concluded by saying, “I don’t see them creating space for one another. These are the things that make you better in the Premier League.”