2 weeks Ago
SAINTS manager Ivan Juric credited Joe Aribo's makeshift defensive performance but admitted it is "not natural" as an everyday solution. Juric claimed the 28 year old midfielder would "go down" if used in centre-back too often because he wants to instead attack the opposition goal. Aribo netted the opener in Southampton's 2-1 win over Ipswich Town, making him the club's top goalscorer in the Premier League this season.
He then played 40 minutes in left-centre-back after injuries to Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens but is likely to be relieved from these duties. "I think it's not natural, but he can because I think when you play three back, you don't need classical centre backs," Juric told the Daily Echo . Looks like Aribo filling in as a centre-back.
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#SaintsFC — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 1, 2025 "You need players that can play against fast players, and it's much more important to be fast than maybe it is to be tall. "It's like a different concept of football and maybe (James) Bree is doing well as a right-centre-back because he has these characteristics for the position. "And Aribo, normally if I use him always there, he will go down, because mentally he's a midfielder and he wants to attack.
But sometimes, he's a great guy, he can do it." Juric wanted to add a left-footed defender in the final days of the winter transfer window but a deal for Abakar Sylla fell through on deadline day. The Croatian admitted he was left disappointed by the end to the club's business but recognised it is currently difficult to entice players to St Mary's.
Saints are bottom of the Premier League table and hot-favourites for relegation having won just nine points from their 24 matches. "We have some positions where if we have a problem in the future, we could have problems. We don't have left-centre-back," said Juric.
"The other day Aribo played really well but we have to do a little bit of fantasy football to create some positions that the players are not used to playing. "However, the team is really concentrated, they are really working hard, and they are improving," insisted the boss. "For me, it's not like we have one first XI.
It can be one in one week and on another week, another. No problem." Saints take on Scott Parker's Burnley, who are second in the Championship on goal difference, this afternoon from 3pm in the FA Cup fourth round.
There are no replays so one side will progress on the day from the St Mary's tie to be ball number 13 on Monday's evening's fifth round draw. Former Saints forward Theo Walcott will assist with the draw on BBC's ‘The One Show’, with Kelly Sommers hosting proceedings from around 7:10pm..
