Southampton had a mixed September, with their 4-0 trouncing of bitter rivals Portsmouth standing out.
Saints’ first fixture of the month came after the international break. Moussa Djenepo scored a fine solo effort to secure three points in a 1-0 win at Sheffield United.
However, a defeat followed soon after, as Southampton were consigned to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Bournemouth at St Mary’s.
Attention turned towards the South Coast Derby and Saints made no mistake, swatting Pompey aside with a comprehensive victory at Fratton Park.
Southampton’s last match of September came on Saturday, and frustration was the overriding emotion as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, who played for the final hour with 10 men after Serge Aurier’s sending off.
Some players impressed more than others in the past month, but one man who deserves all the plaudits is Danny Ings.
He has been left out of the starting line-up a little too regularly for many’s liking this season, with Hasenhuttl favouring Che Adams as his starting striker.
However, Ings has taken the chances that have fallen his way with both hands and even wrote himself into the Southampton history books with two goals and an assist against Pompey.
The 27-year-old was by far and away the best player on the pitch at Fratton Park, and no-one will forget just how devastating his performance in the final third was.
Ings followed this heroic display up with a goal at Tottenham after his pressing forced Hugo Lloris into a mistake. Although his third strike in two games could not send Saints home with something to show for their efforts, he continued to lead the line well.
Hasenhuttl will be hoping to keep Ings fit and firing for what promises to be a difficult month in October, and he simply must keep his place for the upcoming fixture against Chelsea at St Mary’s.
