Southampton player ratings vs Oxford United: Shea Charles 9/10, Fellows wasteful

Southampton player ratings vs Oxford United. Shea Charles 9/10, Tom Fellows wasteful for Tonda Eckert’s men in 2-0 win.

Up against a spirited Oxford United side, there were concerns for Southampton dropping points at the wrong time. The U’s were 4 games unbeaten before arriving at St. Mary’s, and their previous 2-1 Saints victory didn’t help wave off those fears.

Just 15 minutes into the game, Tonda Eckert’s men set the stage for a 2-0 win. Southampton’s direct attacking build-up did the job with Cyle Larin and Shea Charles coming on the scoresheet to the home fans delight.

For large parts of the match, Southampton fans were excited with the prospect of their nearest Championship rivals Wrexham dropping points on the evening. That would have been a perfect way to head into the March international break.

Unfortunately, Wrexham also won their game 2-1 but Saints still hold advantage thanks to a better goal difference. That said, below are the Southampton player ratings of every starter on a scale of 10 from the 2-0 Oxford United win.

Southampton player ratings vs Oxford United

GK: Daniel Peretz – 7

Got hold of an Oxford United chance from the corner. Unlike the Norwich City game, it was a much relaxed afternoon for Daniel Peretz in goal. Still, a dangerous 1v1 chance saw him fuming at the Saints defence.

LB: Ryan Manning – 6

Won the corner that led to Shea Charles 2-0 goal. Connected with Tom Fellows’ sideways passes on the left flank. Showed a couple of flashy skills and had a header blocked away.

CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 7

Harwood-Bellis took the initiative to start Southampton attacks from the back. Found Tom Fellows with a sublime long ball that ended in Cyle Larin’s 1-0 opener.

Kept directing more passes to Finn Azaz and Fellows on the wings. Despite that, one sloppy pass to Will Lankshear could have spoiled a well deserved clean sheet.

CB: Jack Stephens – 6

Won most of his aerial duels vs Oxford United’s Will Lankshear. Reacted in time for a block inside the box moments before half-time.

RB: James Bree – 8

Regularly searched Tom Fellows on the wing whenever he got the ball. Laid an inch-perfect pass for Ross Stewart after the break, but the Scot couldn’t beat Oxford United keeper Jamie Cumming. As Tonda Eckert underlined recently, Southampton have got to renew Bree at all costs.

LM: Finn Azaz – 7

Azaz’s quick exchanges with Archer and Downes were brilliant in the final third. Could have had an assist for himself but Archer preferred leaving it to Larin, which didn’t work out. Edozie later set Azaz for a tap-in inside the box but the Oxford keeper was equal to it.

CM: Flynn Downes – 6

Flynn Downes was always at hand to help out Southampton in attack and defence. Slid down to avoid giving Oxford United a shooting space from point blank range and intercepted multiple balls high up the pitch.

Downes’ only mistake was to rush a back pass to Taylor Harwood-Bellis when the defender was closely surrounded by Will Lankshear.

CM: Shea Charles – 9

Every Southampton fan was taken aback when Shea Charles decided to have a go at the goal and eventually scored a screamer for the 2-0. Released a few short passes to Edozie and Finn Azaz near the Oxford box. Again attempted for the top corner in the second half but got denied this time.

RM: Tom Fellows – 7

Fellows moved to his seventh assist in Southampton’s colours but a first goal still eludes him. Saints fans were left quite annoyed by Fellows’ finishing who shot at everything including the frame of the goal, except the goal itself.

ST: Cameron Archer – 6

Archer played better than expected at Oxford United in a newfound role with Cyle Larin. The assist for Shea Charles’ stunner will count for Archer but he won’t get the regular starting nod unless and until he starts scoring goals again.

ST: Cyle Larin – 7

Cyle Larin has made it a habit of scoring crucial goals whenever Southampton needs him. Here, he stretched forward to make it 1-0 and wasn’t far from adding a second to his bag after an encouraging pass from Archer inside the box.