What Southampton FC did well and need to improve after Reading win

The victory was Southampton's first under their new head coach. Naturally, with it being a pre-season game, there was a lot to like, but also a lot of things which require some attention.

Here are three of the best things we observed from the friendly fixture, and three things that we think Saints need to improve. 

GOOD: Passing moves look sharp

Martin has been clear in his ambition to transform Saints' playing style since his arrival on the south coast.

After a lacklustre performance and result against Sport Republic sister club Goztepe, his side looked much more at ease with his instructions against Reading.

The players appeared to be more confident with where their teammates would be, and the speed at which they moved the ball increased as a result. 

For much of the game in Berkshire, they pulled the opposition’s players all over the pitch as they quickly moved the ball from player to player.

Martin likes his players to always have multiple passing options available to them - something which was routinely seen against the Royals.

Saints' second goal, scored by captain James Ward-Prowse, came off the back of an intricate passing play, which saw the ball sweep from left to right.

It will be interesting to see if Saints can maintain their dominating style when they take on Bournemouth on Tuesday, July 25.

GOOD: Fringe players stepping up

Pre-season is often the greatest opportunity for fringe players to make their mark on the first team.

Southampton’s relegation, paired with the subsequent transfer speculation surrounding key players, has increased the opportunity for those squad members who saw fewer minutes last season to play.

Will Smallbone, who spent last season on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of this new landscape.

The Irish international was praised by his new boss on Saturday, having started every pre-season game so far.

Martin said: “We really liked him before and he’s someone who really suits us, he can play in a few different positions and that can really help us.”

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Adam Armstrong is another player who has stepped up in pre-season.

The 26 year old has been used in a variety of positions, and to little success, during his two seasons at Southampton.

Armstrong was the central point of the Saints attack at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and thanked his new manager with a well-taken second half goal.

GOOD: Squad understanding

Southampton currently have a very bloated squad. Their senior player total is nearing 30, before taking into account the youngsters training with the first team this summer.

Despite many of those players being liked with a move away, Martin has made it known that he is treating all the players still at the club as if they will be here come the first game of the season. 

As a result of that, Southampton were able to make a number of changes in the second half, without disrupting their attacking flow.

Che Adams, Joe Aribo, Moussa Djepenpo and Sam Edozie were all introduced after Sam Amo-Ameyaw came on to replace Sekou Mara in the first half.

Even with the high number of changes, Saints' conveyor belt of chance creation continued to produce shots on goal.

While there was naturally some changes to how the team operated during the build-up, in large part due to a change in profiles on the pitch, they were able to maintain their quick passing style.

Edozie was the standout substitute as he caused havoc down the left wing, setting up Aribo for Southampton's fourth and final goal.

TO IMPROVE: Defensive errors

Both of Reading's goals on the weekend came from defensive errors.

The hosts were invited to penetrate the Saints back line when Harvey Knibbs capitalised on Jan Bednarek’s heavy touch.

The Polish international was unable to recover as Sam Smith charged through on goal before squaring it back for Knibbs to fire past Gavin Bazunu.

There was little the Irishman could do about the Royals’ first, but he won’t want to see their second goal back.

Trialist Olamide Shodipo got around Shea Charles before getting his shot off, which squirmed under Bazunu’s arm.

These errors can be somewhat expected during a pre-season of change. Bednarek's error for example was as a result of him being asked to try and recyle the ball, rather than clear it.

However, Martin & co will be keen to iron out any easy chances come the Championship season opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, August 5.

TO IMPROVE: Counter attack danger

Not only did both goals Southampton conceded come from individual errors, but they also came on the counter-attack.

Saints' high line meant they were susceptible to being caught on the break against the League One side as they were when they faced Goztepe in Izmir.

Those individual errors and losses of possession in key areas will need to be reduced when they come up against higher-quality opposition in the Championship this season.

This week's friendlies against Bournemouth and AZ Alkmaar on Saturday, August 29 could show the real extent of Southampton's defensive frailties.

TO IMPROVE: Too long, too quick

Having been introduced from the bench, Adams was tasked with making well-timed runs in behind the Reading backline.

Despite making some good runs, his teammates were unable to find him regularly.

Instead, they didn't show enough patience to wait for the Scotland international to make his run and often played the ball long too soon.

That was something that Martin expressed his frustration with after the game. 

He said: "When you change and take away so much of course it changes the build-up a little bit.

"We went long too early at times but there’s a balance to that. We showed our teeth a lot today which I really liked.”

What did you notice from Saturday's friendly against Reading?