James Ward-Prowse netted his first goal of the season against Bournemouth, but he could have had far more to his name on the night.
The midfielder spurned some good chances to claw Southampton back into the game, but his penalty merely reduced the deficit as the Cherries came away with a 3-1 win from St Mary’s Stadium.
Ward-Prowse has enjoyed plenty of game time under Ralph Hasenhuttl since his appointment in December and particularly thrived with the Austrian at the helm in the second half of last season.
However, his performances in the opening exchanges of the new campaign have left plenty to be desired, and there is certainly a sense that the England international is yet to fully hit form.
Hasenhuttl has made Ward-Prowse a staple of his starting line-ups, with the academy graduate moving between roles in central midfield and up and down the right-hand side.
While the midfielder has carried out his duties to a reasonable standard, it has been little more than precisely that – reasonable. He has not quite impressed, but he has not been noticeably poor.
In a game of tonight’s magnitude, however, there will be no hiding place; no-one will be able to shirk from their responsibilities, and each player must stand tall at Fratton Park.
Ward-Prowse has grown up knowing exactly what the rivalry means to both sets of supporters, and it is up to him to grab the opportunity with both hands if Hasenhuttl does, as expected, keep faith in him.
The midfielder has all the qualities to hurt Pompey, but it is essential now that he lets his football do the talking.
It seems written in the stars that Ward-Prowse will be the hero for Southampton at Fratton Park, but it will be crucial, first and foremost, that he proves just why he is held in such high esteem by Hasenhuttl.
In what will undoubtedly be a fierce battle between two sets of fans who share bitter hatred for one another off the pitch, Pompey are likely to be equally forceful on it.
Saints need to match the League One club’s likely aggressiveness. It will be a scrappy, tight, and probably frankly disgusting match under the Fratton Park floodlights in the pouring rain.
The prospect of the derby cannot be daunting for the players. It is a chance for them to write their names into the history books, and few will be relishing that opportunity more than Ward-Prowse.
