How Will Still aims to get best out of Finn Azaz at Southampton ahead of Middlesbrough clash

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League leaders Middlesbrough travel to Southampton on Saturday afternoon for a clash that is set to be particularly poignant for Finn Azaz.

Southampton signed Azaz from Middlesbrough for £12m in the summer window, but the attacking midfielder has struggled for form at the Saints.

Will Still started the 25-year-old against Hull City, but he failed to make a difference for Southampton as they were beaten 3-1 by the Tigers.

Following tonight’s cup clash against Liverpool, the visit of table-toppers Middlesbrough awaits Still’s side.

With Southampton and Azaz struggling under Still, the Saints boss has explained how he intends to improve the Ireland international’s form.

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Will Still admits Finn Azaz needs time to settle at Southampton

Given the eight-figure price tag, Azaz arrived at Southampton in the summer window with lofty expectations from the Saints fans to inspire a promotion push.

However, his first three outings in a Saints shirt have not gone to plan, with no goal contributions and only two points from a potential nine in the process.

Still admits Southampton are struggling for goals, but Azaz ought to have notched his first Southampton assist at Hull, if it were not for Damion Downs’ spurned opportunity after being slipped through by the former Boro star.

Ahead of the Liverpool and Middlesbrough clashes, Still has urged patience with Azaz.

As quoted by the Southern Daily Echo, Still said: “By giving him regular playing time and by settling him into a new team for him and a new player for us.

“I thought on Saturday, the pass he plays for Damion Downs is perfect.

“That’s exactly what we want, but unfortunately, we didn’t take the chance and we put it wide.

“But even in the second half, he did find a few interesting positions, but we didn’t manage to find him.

“But again, it’s like a work in progress from what we were doing. We need to keep painting different pictures where players can identify themselves, too. And that’s where we’re at.”

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Southampton could benefit from Middlesbrough’s injury woes

Middlesbrough beat West Brom 2-1 on Friday evening to see Rob Edwards surpass Bryan Robson for his stunning start to life as Boro boss.

However, some rare negative news for Middlesbrough has surfaced ahead of their trip to Southampton, with Edwards facing a defensive injury crisis.

Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan are doubts for the clash, and with George Edmundson withdrawn against the Baggies with a swollen black eye, Edwards may be forced to field a makeshift back-five against Southampton.

Evidently, Azaz will find it hard in the middle of the park against Boro’s midfield duo of Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris.

Yet, with Azaz not feeling love from the Middlesbrough fans throughout his time on Teesside, he will want to send them home without anything to cheer for on Saturday afternoon.