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Southampton were caught lacking in the opening minutes against Ipswich Town, after a lapse of judgement was referred to as a ‘complete mess’.
There is plenty of expectation on Southampton to respond to their dire 2024/25 Premier League campaign which saw them finish bottom by a large margin.
Having required inspiration to help deliver a successful Championship campaign, the board decided to appoint Will Still as Southampton manager.
A summer of change saw the Saints struggle on the opening day of the season against a newly-promoted Wrexham side, leaving it until late to see off the away side, courtesy of a free-kick goal from Ryan Manning and an injury-time winner by Jack Stephens.
After his Southampton introduction, Still would then be handed the task of a trip to Ipswich Town, which got off to the worst start he could imagine.
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Andy Hinchcliffe gives verdict on Southampton’s ‘mess’ vs Ipswich Town
In the opening stages of Southampton’s clash with Ipswich Town, the Saints started poorly, with the Tractor Boys putting plenty of pressure on.
It only took Kieran McKenna’s side four minutes to get on the scoresheet after Southampton lost the ball on the right flank before the ball ricocheted off Taylor Harwood-Bellis and into the net.
Reacting on co-comms for Sky Sports, Andy Hinchcliffe gave a colourful verdict of the defensive blunder, having said: “It’s a defensive nightmare.
“They’ve got to appreciate that Ipswich have made a fast start. Don’t make basic errors; it is a complete mess.”
Hinchcliffe then paid Ipswich their dues for the goal, where he said: “You have to admire Ipswich with their pressure on the ball.”
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Ipswich Town’s pressure will cause trouble this season
As was the case for Southampton, many Championship clubs will likely find it difficult to play around Ipswich Town’s relentless pressure.
They press the defence from the attack, and it has the ability to push the opposition into panic mode, as was the case for Ipswich Town’s opener against Southampton.
It was always expected that Ipswich Town would be a force to be reckoned with this season, and there is no doubt that McKenna has got them back up to speed after last season’s disappointing relegation from the Premier League.