Monday 2 February 2015 08:51, UK
Former Southampton captain Matt Le Tissier has urged manager Ronald Koeman to sign reinforcements in attack before the transfer window closes on Monday night.
The Saints drew a rare blank while losing 1-0 to Swansea City in their Super Sunday clash at St Mary’s, just the third time this season the south coast club have lost at home in the Premier League.
And Le Tissier thinks his old club may struggle to maintain their push for a top-four place were they to lose top-scorer Graziano Pelle to injury between now and the end of the campaign.
“I would imagine he [Koeman] will probably be looking to strengthen in the centre-forward department,” he said, with Southampton having recently been linked with January moves for both Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena and Benfica attacking midfielder Filip Djuricic.
“At the moment we’ve been very fortunate that he’s not had any injuries this season, but we were looking a little bit light in the back-up department.
“Sam Gallagher has been out injured for a long time and Sean Long is going to be out for a long time as well. I think that department needs to be strengthened a little bit.
“Koeman’s transfers have all been pretty good, so hopefully he can continue that. If we get at least one in, it will give the team a little bit of a boost because [the Swansea defeat] was a disappointment today, there’s no question about that. “
However, Le Tissier does not believe forward Jay Rodriguez, who damaged the anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee last April, will be back to full fitness any time soon.
“I think Jay is still a little while away from being ready for first-team action,” Le Tissier added.
“If we get the whole squad fit, it looks a pretty strong squad and hopefully we can see out the rest of the season, keep picking up points and challenging for that top-four place.”
