According to a BBC Sport Q&A, Southampton’s’messing up’ in their quest for Che Adams’ replacement during the summer transfer window left BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore ‘gutted’.
Russell Martin’s side returned to the Premier League in the most spectacular way conceivable, defeating Leeds United 1-0 in the playoff final at Wembley in May.
Adams came on as a replacement on that day in north London after suffering an injury in the season’s last league match against the same opponents, although he was crucial to their promotion push prior to that point.
Despite being offered a new contract by the south coast club, the Scotland international elected to leave at the end of his term to pursue a new career with Torino in Serie A.
Sport Republic had to replace the 28-year-old during the summer window ahead of Saints’ Premier League comeback, and they ended up adding Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz to their ranks, neither of whom can be considered a true replacement for Adams’ qualities.
Southampton agreed a deal with Manchester City for Liam Delap, who has a more similar physique, but he chose to join Ipswich Town instead and has scored six top-flight goals this season.
That tally is only one short of Martin’s total, with Archer scoring twice and Diaz still to score.
Blackmore believes that Saints and Sport Republic fell short in that regard by failing to add a focal point to their attack.
To be honest, I was gutted that the Saints messed that up. You’re true, he’s never been prolific, but he was a focal point for the team while in control, and he was better than anybody else in the current squad at holding the ball up, showing for it, and playing around the corner to serve as a pivot to start attacks.
Southampton play Liverpool this weekend in search of their second league win, with Paul Onuachu, 6ft 8in, a potential starter if Martin requires a more robust alternative in the centre-forward position.
All statistics are from Transfermarkt and are current as of November 21, 24.
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