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Southampton: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Nordin Amrabat of Watford battle for possession with Steven Davis of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Nordin Amrabat of Watford battle for possession with Steven Davis of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watford at St Mary's Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Shane Long of Southampton celebrates with Jay Rodriguez of Southampton and Cedric Soares of Southampton after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on April 23, 2016 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Shane Long of Southampton celebrates with Jay Rodriguez of Southampton and Cedric Soares of Southampton after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton at Villa Park on April 23, 2016 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Hope #1: That Jay Rodriguez can play a full season.

Once upon a time Jay Rodriguez was on the cusp of being the next great English striker and the player who could perhaps help the Saints earn some silverware. After taking the Premier League by storm during the 2013-2014 season Rodriguez earned his first-ever English cap, a sign of not just his rapid rise through the system but also of Southampton’s return from the bottom of English football. It seemed as if everything was coming into place for the man from Burnley.

But as has been seen so many times in football a bad injury put all of those plans to a grinding halt. After sustaining a terrible knee injury at the end of the 2013-2014 season, Rodriguez would miss nearly 16 months of his career.

Although Rodriguez did make 12 appearances for Southampton last season, this year will be the true barometer as to whether or not he has made a complete comeback. Given that he missed so long it is understandable that he likely might not be at full health at the end of last season. But given how much time has elapsed the club needs to see signs that he has some of his old spark.

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The reason why Southampton are in need of Rodriguez is simple: they do not have another player with his pace and touch on their roster. With the ball at his feet there are very few players as dangerous as Rodriguez in the Premier League. His movement off of the ball and ability to create misdirection with the slightest of touches makes him very difficult to defend.

New manager Claude Puel while at Nice liked to operate in a 4-4-2 formation with one center-forward and typically left-footed forward accompanying them. With Shane Long (10 goals in 2015-2016) cemented as the starting forward look for Rodriguez to be given the chance at some point early in the season to earn his spot alongside him.

Next: Hope #2: That Ryan Bertrand can have another dominant season at left-back.

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