Tessem Underscores Lallana’s Crucial Role for Southampton

Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem expressed his belief that Russell Martin’s team demonstrated “progress” in their narrow defeat against current Premier League champions Manchester City, and he commended attacking midfielder Adam Lallana for his performance. Speaking on the Goin’ Home with Adam and Jo podcast, Tessem stated: “It was progress. Our style of football seems to suit playing against better teams, in a way, because you have got to have good possessional play in football, it is important. But in this game we were using that possession in the right way. We were forward-thinking with our possession so even when we didn’t play it forwards, we were at least looking forwards. That is the difference, instead of just playing the ball sideways. Obviously you are coming to play the champions, so you are going to be in for a tough game, but we played in two very low blocks with a 5-4-1 and it worked! When it works, you just have to ride the moments of the game and get away from them.” Regarding Adam Lallana, who rejoined Southampton on a one-year contract this summer, Tessem added: “He was brave on the ball and he was able to turn people. He made Mateo Kovacic really work for and earn his money because he was having to work harder to mark him. His possession was brave. He was bringing the players [on the pitch] up and bringing the level of the game up. This is the difference. We need him on the pitch.”