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While Ralph Hasenhuttl has got plenty of things right since arriving at Southampton in December, his use of his goalkeepers perhaps isn’t one of them.
On the chalkboard
When the Austrian replaced Mark Hughes in December he quickly stuck with the man who had been the undoubted first-choice option under the Welshman between the sticks, Alex McCarthy.
However, some patchy form over the festive period and some goals that perhaps the England international could have done better to keep out of the net led to a few question marks over his inclusion in the team – especially with £13.5m summer signing Angus Gunn waiting in the wings.
Hasenhuttl suggested he was ready to change things when he brought the former Manchester City man in for his Premier League debut in the 0-0 draw away at Chelsea, where the 23-year-old impressed and kept the south coast outfit’s only clean sheet under their current manager in the top flight to date.
Despite that, McCarthy proved he is the 51-year-old’s first choice by playing every league fixture up until the match against Arsenal on Sunday, when Gunn once again took his place.
Dilemma against Fulham?
Firstly, from the outside looking in you would have to question Hasenhuttl’s use of an inexperienced goalkeeper at this level in away matches against the Blues and the Gunners, where he is likely to be busier than in other fixtures.
Check out the video below for Groundhopping FC’s excellent matchday vlog from the Emirates as Arsenal beat 2-0 Southampton on Sunday…
It may have been done as Gunn is quicker off of his line than McCarthy and can play a sweeper keeper role, but in terms of affecting him mentally it may not have been a great tactic – especially after he played his part in Arsenal’s second goal on Sunday.
The former RB Leipzig coach now has a big decision to make ahead of the crucial six-pointer against Fulham at St Mary’s on Wednesday, and he should revert back to the more assured 29-year-old in the pressure clash.
