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Southampton Fan View: Josh Sims could be vital in survival bid
Southampton were fortunate to come away from Turf Moor with a draw on Saturday.
A late goal from Manolo Gabbiadini was enough to salvage a point for the visitors as the spoils were shared with Burnley. It was a cagey game and one with little spark. Until Josh Sims came on, that is.
The young winger has seen his progress stifled this season. He sat out for large parts of the first half of the campaign as he continued to recover from a long-term knee injury, which came as a big blow for him.
Sims had been introduced to senior football by Claude Puel last season and he certainly caught the eye of many. The winger plays with a direct, innovative style, always on the lookout for space to exploit and the opportunity to take on his man. It is this type of winger that Saints have lacked throughout the season, with the team collectively refraining from taking risks in possession on all too many occasions.
AS IT HAPPENED: Burnley v Southampton
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The 20-year-old was on for little more than 20 minutes in the game at Burnley and yet he did more than James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond combined on the day. He gave Stephen Ward numerous problems down the flank and gave Saints an additional dimension to their attack.
It was, in fact, Sims’ cross that wreaked such havoc in the Burnley box that Saints finally found the net in the closing stages. The winger picked the ball up on the right and lofted a wonderful ball over to Guido Carrillo, who intelligently nodded the ball into Gabbiadini’s path. The Italian made no mistake in front of goal.
Sims proved last season that he has the quality and bravery to make things happen in tight periods of matches. His pace can contribute to effective breakaways – something Saints have struggled with this season – while his direct nature is also beneficial if the team are set out to play on the front foot.
But for an unbelievable stop from Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, the youngster would have netted his first ever senior goal as well. He quickly shifted the ball onto his right foot after some good work from Carrillo on the left, before unleashing a shot which was excellently tipped onto the bar by Pope.
Sims is a player with massive potential and he has to be managed right. He has only made a few appearances this season but we can only hope that from this point on, Mauricio Pellegrino will acknowledge his qualities and make use of him in what promises to be a gruelling end to the season.
Josh Sims is a player who plays with freedom and one who takes risks. Pellegrino might not like that, but he has to accept that.
The Saints’ academy graduate should be allowed to play his own way and he has to be handed a more involved role in the upcoming weeks. He’s earned it and Saints could do with a player like him at the moment.
