Premier League: Southampton good enough for the Champions League, according to Alan Curbishley
Monday 12 January 2015 15:34, UK
Alan Curbishley has paid tribute to Southampton after they beat Manchester United on Sunday to return to the top three of the Premier League table.
The former Charlton and West Ham manager says it is unrealistic to talk in terms of them winning the title but is convinced they are genuine Champions League qualification contenders.
Speaking to the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ, Curbishley said retaining the services of Morgan Schneiderlin - man of the match in the 1-0 victory at Old Trafford - for the remainder of the campaign will be key to their chances of securing a top-four finish.
“They won’t want any phone calls for Schneiderlin during the transfer window," he said. "And when they had their blip recently (losing consecutive matches to Arsenal, Manchester United and Burnley) he was one of the players missing and they couldn’t cope.
“He’s been there for five years or so, and he’s been instrumental in their rise through the divisions to where they are now. I know he signed a vastly improved contract in the summer because his former boss Mauricio Pochettino (manager at Spurs) was sniffing about.
“But it won’t stop the big boys having a look and seeing if they can prise him away.”
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And Nigel Winterburn, also a guest on the show, believes that Southampton’s water-tight defensive displays can be credited as much to their midfield players as the back four.
Ronald Koeman’s team have conceded just 15 league goals in 21 games, fewer than any team in the league including both main title challengers Chelsea (19) and Manchester City (20).
The former Arsenal and England full-back said: "He (Schneiderlin) has been very, very impressive but Southampton have been impressive too.
“When you talk about a team’s defensive display you usually talk about the back four and the goalkeeper.
“But it’s the players in front of you that are also so, so important. They push the opposition into areas where they want them to go, closing the space, not letting them play between the lines and Southampton have done that really well.
“At times they have let teams have the ball quite high up the pitch but have pushed them across the pitch rather than let them play through them and have been impressive with their clean sheets this season.”
However, neither Curbishley nor Winterburn see Southampton as likely winners of the title.
“Can’t see them overtaking either of the top two. They’ve had a blip and been fantastic and their recruitment has been good but I can’t see them overtaking Chelsea or City," said Curbishley.
“If they finish in the top four it will be a fantastic season for them.”
Winterburn added: “For me there are only two teams in the title race. The others will have to win nine or 10 in a row – with Chelsea and City also dropping points – but I don’t see it happening.
“But Southampton are real contenders for third or fourth.”
As for Manchester United, both Curbishley and Winterburn believe it is time manager Louis van Gaal made a decision on which formation he adopts for the remainder of the campaign, after being forced to tinker with his selections due to a number of injury problems.
Curbishley said: "It’s a big problem. Nigel will agree with me that players want to know what they’re doing. And constant change, they’re changing during games, playing three at the back, then playing four at the back, that affects the midfield set-up and those up top too.
“He needs to settle on something - especially if the players are back fit - and stick to one thing. The players need that, they need the guidance.”
And Winterburn says: “Everyone will be talking about the system. It seems he wants to play 3-5-2 or 5-3-2. Everyone talks about how unstable they are but their defensive record is good.
“Yet in a few games this season they have actually struggled to create chances.”
