Southampton host Newcastle on Saturday in a match which could have an influence on who is relegated from the Premier League this season, and injuries mean Ralph Hasenhuttl could operate with three centre-backs.
That means Jannik Vestergaard could start after he came on for the final 20 minutes against West Ham last week, but it seems his place in the side is exactly what some fans don’t wish to see.
The defender has struggled a bit since he came to the Saints, playing just 23 league games last season before more mistakes this term have led Hasenhuttl to prefer Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek in the heart of defence.
Here is some of the criticism that is being thrown at Vestergaard due to his disappointing performances in 2019/20, averaging a WhoScored rating of 6.7.
The negative opinion of Vestergaard seems to be the consensus amongst the Saints fanbase, and that has led many supporters to voice their opposition to a suggestion that the 27-year-old should play against the Magpies.
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However, it is a match which should actually suit the Denmark international very well, as the challenge of Joelinton is perfect for him.
The striker excels in the air with 5.4 aerial duels won per game, as does Vestergaard with 3.2 per game, while the Southampton player has also managed 5.1 averaged clearances per game, per WhoScored, showing he is well-suited to dealing with Newcastle’s aerial style.
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That could make him decisive in defending set-pieces, and if he can keep the Brazilian quiet then the visitors should see their goalscoring opportunities limited, making an away result at St Mary’s less likely.
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