Sofiane Boufal has given Mauricio Pellegrino a selection headache ahead of the trip along the South Coast to Brighton on Sunday.

Sofiane Boufal's wonder goal against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday came out of the blue and that is the problem for Mauricio Pellegrino, can that 45 seconds of footballing genius be turned into something more substantial and warrant a starting place at Brighton ?

Boufal's form at Saints last season was not outstanding although it could be said that could have been down to the issues that all the players were facing and our lack of goals.

This season started little better for Boufal though, 19 mins as sub in the opener against Swansea City didn't show enough to make the manager send him off the bench and into the action against West Ham in the second game, add to that a less than thrilling start against Wolves in the League cup and in the Premier League in a 2-0 home defeat to Watford and there weren't many Saints fans thinking that he should start ahead of even the (in their opinion) underperforming Tadic or Redmond.

However in the trip to Stoke City his appearance on the hour seemed to spark a revival of sorts and although this would be undone by a sloppy late goal given away, those present generally agreed he did at least look willing to run at the opposition and have a go.

The following game against Newcastle again saw him look lively and his introduction just before the hour mark again seemed to spark a mini revival, leading him to perhaps hope that he might start against West Bromwich Albion the following week.

But it would turn out to be just the opposite, not only was he on the bench again, but despite Saints failing to break down a resolute negative West Brom defence, with 10 minutes remaining he was still not on the field, very strange given our lack of even a goal scoring opportunity being created at that stage.

Then came his introduction and the rest as they say is history, but what does Mauricio Pellegrino now do for a tough trip to Brighton.

The big question is whether Boufal is better used as an impact player in this sort of game rather than being played in the early stages when Saints may have to graft and match power rather than skill.

The player himself will not agree with that verdict, but it seems likely that Mauricio Pellegrino will make that call and keep Boufal benched, although it is likely that he will use him a lot earlier this time around.

So the question is what wouldyou do if you were the manager, would you start him or do you not think that this is the right game. Vote in the poll using the link below.

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/forum/211160/should-sofiane-b

Photo: Action Images

zoso added 12:07 - Oct 26 It's a no-brainer him or Redmond. I would Ali Dia above Redmond and he gives us more than Tadic.
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kenis added 12:11 - Oct 26 My view would be to play 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-1-3 with Austin through the middle, Gabbi wide right, Tadic wide left and Davis in the middle in front of Lemina and Romeu behind Austin. Boufal and/or Long to come on later in the game. I’d have Boufal ahead of Redmond to come on. Whoever plays we need to press high, move the ball quicker (not hoof) and get Bertrand and Soares high up the pitch on overlap and getting cross in or allowing Gabby and Tadic to drift in. Must get Brighton unsettled and unsure whether we are putting it wide to cross, running it in from the wing or threading it through down the middle. Predictability is the killer for us. Must mix it up.

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beynali73 added 12:14 - Oct 26 Boufal is a very talented footballer who loves driving forward. He also loves over elaborating and doing too much. If he can quickly match his pace and quick feet to his brain and pick the killer passes which he must be capable of he'd be a match winner. This is down to coaching him and drilling into him that it's a team game. He should be given a start and if he doesn't deliver MP can beat his chest at him when he subs him.

9

1970 added 12:37 - Oct 26 if we played at a higher tempo with quick passing Boufal and others come into there own even tadic and Redmond would be inspired so what do we do we throw jwp in the mix to really slow things down and get bogged down with hopeless balls into an empty penalty area but beat the pier dwellers and suddenly pelegrino will be god for a week at least coyr
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TeamCortese added 14:10 - Oct 26 This is the team I'd go in for. GK: Forster's replacement Defence: Cedric, VVD, Yoshi or Hoedt, Bertrand Midfield: Davis or Hojberg (I'd prefer Hojberg in the longer term) and Romeu Attacking Midfielder and Wingers: Boufal (or a more confident Redmond), Lemina (in the middle), and Long (or a more confident Tadic). Upfront: Gabbi Boufal must start on the basis of recent form. If he doesn't then we have a Claude Puel situation. Lemina should also be given more licence in the attacking third. He looks more threatening compared to Davis and is likely to track back anyway.

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the_saint added 14:10 - Oct 26 Tadic and redmond have had their chance time to give boufal a run
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mattthelegend added 18:25 - Oct 26 He deserves a decent run in the team by that I mean at least 5 matches. How can he be expected to perform as a bit player. Redmond gets plenty of opportunities, so Boufal on that basis warrants it over him.
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halftimeorange added 18:54 - Oct 26 On the basis that Boufal has the potential to give us something we are lacking - forward thrust - I think he should definitely be tried for at least half an hour and Brighton, with Bruno being the oldest defender in the league and Duffy and Dunk no better than workmanlike, are there for the taking. Shane Long's speed would give them trouble and he and Gabbiadini seemed to link up quite well against WBA. I realise Brighton dismantled West Ham and they have two useful players in Gross and Knockaert but we should be able to shackle them and VVD should have Glenn Murray in his pocket. I can't see Tadic being left out despite his poor form and Steve Davis gives 100% in every game. For me the starting line-up should be the same as last week. Pellegrini has to be sensible when timing his substitutions. Nine minutes looks like using up time rather than being positive.

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LondonSaint added 19:58 - Oct 26 Agree with most here, there is no question: our goalscoring has been poor, someone has put themselves forward as a game winner, if MP puts Tadic ahead of Boufal it sends out completely the wrong message and I wouldn't be surprised if it caused Boufal to look for a move elsewhere - what else would he have to do over scoring one of the goals of the season to get into one of the more impotent outfits in the league so far?

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lemmsy added 20:45 - Oct 26 I feel it has to be asked ( bearing in mind boufal looked lightweight last year), if he had started the game would he have had the stamina & strength too score that goal or was it an ideal impact substitution ❓❓
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saintpp added 20:58 - Oct 26 I agree Boufal has more talent to unlock defences than redmond however Boufal is played in his natural position and Mp for some reason plays right footed redmond on the left wing.
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IanRC added 21:00 - Oct 26 Of course Boufal should get a start, probably at Tadic's expense but then I would have Austin and Gabbi start with Long saved to bring on when the BHA defence is well and truly knackered.
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aceofthebase added 22:31 - Oct 26 The opposition will be wary of Boufal now they know what he is capable of. This might free up other players and space. Let's give him a start for several games
11

SanMarco added 22:54 - Oct 26 Yes - start Boufal - aceofthebase's point is a very good one. Boufal beat more players in that one run than Redmond has all season + he has now scored more in open play than Tadic, Long and Redmond combined (with a lot less time on the pitch. I would have Austin up front with Gabbi and Boufal roaming behind and Davis too. The rest pick themselves other than FF. Our replacement keeper needs an outing...

4

steve73 added 23:12 - Oct 26 If he continues to keep him on the bench while we're struggling to score it could become another Branfoot/MLT situation. He's a cautious manager and Boufal is a luxury player so it could be difficult but god yes, he absolutely needs to play. Imagine being that good and seeing Redmond and Long being picked ahead of you, can't be right.
5

underweststand added 08:23 - Oct 27 If Boufal's performance last match doesn't prove a return to form then I don't know what will. Goals are still too rare for Saints at present, so if Pellegrino doesn't use him for a considerable period v.BHA ..and comes away without the 3 Points, he'll find himself on very thin ice from some in the more vocal fan base.
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LordDZLucan added 08:55 - Oct 27 I think Boufal has at last earned the right to start. His performances coming on as sub in the last few games have been an upgrade on anything that he's done before so it looks like he's taking on board the coaching that he's being given. His reward should be a run in the first team. Who should he replace? That's a difficult one. Before last weekend I would have said Tadic but he was more like his old self against West Brom. Dare I suggest we rest Steven Davis?

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SaintBrock added 15:12 - Oct 27 Boufal falls foul of the Buffoon?
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SaintBrock added 15:15 - Oct 27 No doubt the Big Boys will send scouts down to the Amex on Sunday. Looks like the type of player who would fit in at The Emirates. Parlez-vous Français M Wenger.
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Justin33 added 19:50 - Oct 27 Boufal needs more regular starts. If anyone remembers Ronaldo when he first started to play for Man U he was a rough diamond and I mean rough but sir ferguson kept the faith and played him regularly. Boufal I believe can become an outstanding player, he has the burst speed like mane but has dribbling finesse mane lacks and a great eye for goal sowed onto his shooting boots.

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Justin33 added 19:52 - Oct 27 Ps drop tadic to the bench. He forgot his shooting boots and left his creativity somewhere at the end of Two Seasons ago
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