SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - All of Southampton's thrusting, free-flowing football will count for little if their defence cannot shake off the close-season stupor which saw them napping through the early stages of their 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland on Saturday.
Always dangerous flooding forward, and with new record signing Italy striker Dani Osvaldo showing enough to suggest he will be a massive handful for defenders this season, their possession and flair so nearly counted for nothing after a sluggish start at St Mary's Stadium that left manager Mauricio Pochettino frustrated.