Scouting Schneiderlin in Southampton's win at Man Utd

Kristian Jack

TSN Soccer Analyst

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SCOUTED

Name: Morgan Schneiderlin
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Game watched: Manchester United vs Southampton, Premier League game at Old Trafford on Sunday January 11th, 2015.

Reason for watching: Third vs Fourth in the Premier League at a time when the transfer window is open. With many teams linked to Schneiderlin since the summer, it was a great opportunity to watch the central midfielder perform in a big game at an enormous ground.

Tactical

Team Shape – Southampton boss Ronald Koeman asked his team to play a 4-4-1-1 shape but the versatility came inside the midfield four. Behind them a normally organized defence, led by the impressive Jose Fonte, overcame a first half injury to Toby Alderweireld to again shine. In front of them, Koeman asked debutant Eljero Elia to roam across the field with Graziano Pelle up top on his own. Elia often stayed on the left, which meant they were a little lopsided, but to combat that, right back Nathaniel Clyne advanced more than left back Ryan Bertrand. The two full backs were superb in stopping crosses coming in and often had more room than normal as United were very narrow in attack and didn't get many wide men forward to help their full backs.

A lot of this came down to how well Southampton played in midfield and their midfield four were the best unit for the visitors. They surprised Louis Van Gaal with a diamond shape meaning they didn't get too deep and could encourage, and often, start the press that worked so effectively to stop United passing it out with their back three. Not surprisingly, Schneiderlin was at the base of the midfield, when in possession, but regularly in defence, he was joined in a fierce line of three by Victor Wanyama and Steven Davis, allowing James Ward-Prowse room just in front to be a key outlet for any transition.

Defending – It was a sensational away performance by Southampton, led by the controlled Schneiderlin in midfield. United tried many different avenues in attack, moved players from different positions but couldn't unlock the tightest defence in the league. The French midfielder's impact on all of that was enormous. When you visit Old Trafford, you need supreme discipline in midfield. Schneiderlin had this and led by example, helping his team to do the same. He glides through a match and is regularly in the right position at the right time. The Saints defended very deep and offered the wings to United, something that in the past would have been dangerous but this United team didn't have numbers out wide or effective crossers. When one did come in, it often found Schneiderlin who positioned himself in front of the back four as a key member of the midfield line of three in front of the back four.

Attacking – Southampton have not climbed to third in the table simply because they are good without the ball and Schneiderlin plays a key part in their attacks. Koeman's men are very good in transitions because the players understand where they need to be. Schneiderlin reads the game superbly and rarely plays a pass into feet in a vulnerable scenario. There is a trust from the opponent that when he passes it to them, he knows they have time to receive and react.

After United conceded, the home team did ignite some pace into their attacks and it was then that Schneiderlin blossomed even more. Here he is facing up to Juan Mata...

Soon after, he would force the Spaniard to pass the ball, before receiving it back and getting bullied off the ball by Schneiderlin, who again calmly started another attack from deep...

Physicality

Strength – Schneiderlin doesn't intimidate with any of his physical attributes. He isn't tall for a footballer, muscular or really strong but he certainly makes a team much stronger by how he plays.

Power – Such a crucial aspect of a modern day midfielder and this is where he shines. Despite failing the 'eye test' in his appearance, he more than makes up for that in the way he plays, brushing people aside, keeping the ball close to feet and in control and regularly changing the momentum of who is in control of the ball.

Speed – He is not slow but his speed comes from his mind.

Reaction – This is perhaps his greatest of all strengths when defending against an attack. Has the capability to read a game superbly and is equally important in this skillset whether he is running towards his own goal or facing  the right way to attack.

When a long ball comes over and drags the central defenders back, often a gap can appear for an opponent to run into. It's this Zone 14 that can be so crucial for opponents to unlock Southampton. Schneiderlin is the ultimate protector of this zone. If he isn't in it, he gets back into it quickly. In the opening half, this happened at Old Trafford and suddenly he found himself in a foot race with Wayne Rooney to get to the loose ball in a key position...

With both central defenders occupied with the forward and the ball, they needed their defensive-minded midfielder to come to the rescue. Schneiderlin does that with authority, chesting the ball back to a teammate for the danger to be cleared...

Endurance – Outstanding. Was not daunted by the big occasion and grew stronger as the game wore on.

Work rate – Doesn't waste energy running around a lot and diving into unnecessary challenges like many do who play his position in the Premier League.

Technique

First touch – Simple and quick. Is more than aware of the things he does well and is not a player who will take more touches than he needs and then expose his team in transition.

Passing – Comfortable with the ball, can come deep and split the centre-backs to receive it but also thinks about making the first pass forward rather than to the side or behind. The most frequent teammate he passed to in this game was Ward-Prowse who played directly in front of him.

Weaker foot – His left doesn't get used often but his balance is very good, particularly in the challenge.

Tackling – At the end of the 2012/13 Premier League season, he led the league in tackles but he no longer tops such a chart. Much of this has to do with the improvement of Southampton as he is no longer needed to sweep up as many problems as the first Saints side under Nigel Adkins, for example. Still, when needed, he has the necessary traits to tackle well. Like many defensive midfielders, is only hesitant to do this when intelligent forwards have gotten in behind him into the space and he is chasing back to them after getting drawn out to a wide position to double up in defence with a full back.

Heading – Won two of three aerial duels and, crucially, also made to two very important headed clearances close to his own box which were helped by his footballing IQ as he was in the right position to head the ball when he came in.

Decision Making – Schneiderlin's calmness is admirable. It is what allows him to stroll through a game at a level that has caught the eye of bigger clubs. Knows when he has a more than reasonable chance at a key interception as you can see here as he prepares for a ball to be played into Rooney's feet...

Then shows tremendous anticipation to execute one of his five valuable interceptions in the game...

Mental

Courage – It was a very impressive display at a ground that has swallowed up careers in the past.

Confidence –  Now knows he is a big-time player and hasn't allowed his form to drop because of it.

Communication – A true leader who isn't shy to point to his goalkeeper and defenders areas on the field they should have passed to.

Concentration – Outstanding positional awareness. It is fascinating to watch a game just focusing on him, particularly when the opponents have the ball. Like a boxer, his head never stops moving, side to side, left to right but his body language remains cool, standing up right, observing everything.  

Conclusion

It is clear that his time at Southampton is coming to an end. When Tottenham made an offer in the summer, he sulked and wanted to force a move. Unlike many, when he didn't get his way, he got right back in the team and performed at a high level. Since then, he has only improved. He started all of their first dozen league matches and Southampton lost just two of their first 12 games. Then he was injured, at 0-0, against Man City and they went on to lose 3-0 without him. While sidelined, they lost three more times out of four and we were robbed of seeing him play against top teams like Arsenal and Man Utd. Not anymore. This was an excellent performance at one of the most difficult grounds to visit. Southampton are in the hunt for the Champions League and know if they sell him this month, that will be an unlikely goal to achieve. Expect that stance to be tested with multiple offers in the next couple of weeks. Chelsea and Man City are in a different league, but he could start regularly for anyone else. He would be a great addition for Liverpool and is exactly what Arsenal need, bringing much needed presence and power to a team that has been exposed in this area against big teams for far too long. He is also more than worth the amount Man Utd wasted on Marouane Fellaini.