How Southampton made tactical tweaks to beat Leeds United on final day

Eyebrows were raised in the press room, on the terraces and on social media when team news hit our phones. A myriad of setups were touted as Saints lined up with five defenders on the pitch.

Could Kyle Walker-Peters be pushed further up the pitch with Jack Stephens playing at right-back as was the case at Norwich?

Could one of the central defenders have been pushed forward to support Flynn Downes?

In truth, the answer was a rather simple back three (or five, depending on how you view the game).

This is not a shape unfamiliar to a Russell Martin side. It was the shape he primarily used when in charge of Swansea City (although he did switch to a back four late in his tenure) and MK Dons.

Swansea's defensive set up for 3-0 win over Hull in September 2022 (Image: SDE)

While it is familiar to Martin, it was not familiar to his Southampton side. This was the first time they lined up from the start in the shape this season.

In adding an extra centre-back, Ryan Manning and Walker-Peters were given more attacking freedom.

The defensive nouse of both full-backs has been questioned in recent months, as Southampton's issues at the back have reared their head again, but the pair are at their best going forward.

And with Leeds United possessing dangerous wingers - Crysencio Summerville is the Championship player of the season and Willy Gnonto is also a tricky customer - defensive support was needed.

Although they will be frustrated to concede while clearing a cross, on the whole, Southampton were better at dealing with balls from out wide - which has been their biggest weakness in recent matches.

As the game progressed, the away side continued to stifle the Whites' attack, even after key men Downes, Che Adams, Adam Armstrong and Walker-Peters had been brought off and protected ahead of the playoffs.

Asked about that solidity at the back, Martin told the Daily Echo: "I had to find a way to get the three centre-halves on the pitch because they're three of our best players.

"I felt that this was the best way for this game. We might not need all three on the pitch in the next couple of games but it also suits Ryan Manning and Kyle Walker-Peters brilliantly.

Kyle Walker-Peters battles with Crysencio Summerville (Image: PA)

"The lads are quite fluid, it's just a starting formation really, we don't get fixated on 4-3-3, whatever we do.

"It's about finding solutions during the game and trying to adapt and the players did that brilliantly against Leeds."

Saints were also more direct against Leeds. The hosts' attacking intent allowed them to play on the break and they looked dangerous doing so. The winning goal came as a result of their direct play.

A brilliant long ball from Jan Bednarek found Walker-Peters high on the right, the full-back spun past a sleeping Junior Firpo before finding Will Smallbone for a first-time finish. It was Saints at their fluid best.

Kyle Walker-Peters runs onto Jan Bednarek's long ball (Image: EFL)

Will Smallbone makes a late burst into the box to meet Kyle Walker-Peters' cross (Image: EFL)

Will Smallbone converts from close range to restore Southampton's lead at Elland Road (Image: EDL)

Another aspect of the win that cannot be overlooked is that Saints had a full week on the training ground to prepare.

As the season has drawn to a close, they have looked more tired due to the cocktail of a jam-packed schedule and automatic promotion pressure. 

Had this game been played days after the defeat to Stoke they would not have had time to prepare for a new system.

"We had a couple of days to work really intensely on this shape," Walker-Peters told the Daily Echo.

"The gaffer had us doing that and I think we have shown how well it can work. It's great to have a couple of formations up our sleeve.

"It allowed me to make more runs in behind. I really love doing that. I think you can see that from the assist I got.

"Getting forward is something I've always done, but this tweak has given me more of a license to do so."

Southampton now head into the playoffs having gone unbeaten against all three other teams left in the competition.

While Martin played down the importance of that record, the psychological advantage will help, and supporters will feel more confident come the semi-final, a feeling which can seep from the stands and into the players.