Does Gunn deserve another chance this weekend?
Southampton have had a turbulent start to the 2019/20 campaign and currently sit in the relegation zone heading into the 12th match of the Premier League season.
One of the biggest dilemmas Ralph Hasenhuttl has faced is who he picks between the sticks each week. Angus Gunn started the season as the club’s number one, but Alex McCarthy has taken over the gloves in recent games after a few costly errors from Gunn in the league.
Although McCarthy did make a few good stops against Manchester City last weekend, it was his error which led to Kyle Walker’s winning goal towards the end of the match. It is easy to forget that Gunn was handed his chance last season after McCarthy was dropped for making mistakes in the Premier League as well, so he is – by no means – the saviour Southampton need.
The question for Hasenhuttl now is, does he stick with the experience of McCarthy? Or does he hope Gunn has learned from his mistakes and can come back in a new man? If it were up to me, I would go with the latter. Neither of them have particularly convinced in the past year, but Gunn has time on his side and needs the experience to develop as a player.
Gunn is six years younger than McCarthy and is yet to even hit 100 career club games, currently sat on 78 – 27 for Southampton. The former Norwich shot-stopper’s biggest issue this season has been his decision making. He has hesitated when he should be decisive and it has led to easy goals being scored against them.
However, he has now had a few games out of the side and he should be able to come back in with a clear time after being able to analyse what he has been doing wrong. The fans also need to get behind Gunn if he does start against Everton, rather than jeering him when he comes off his line or tries to play the ball out from the back. His confidence needs a boost, not another knock, so it is important that he makes an early save or catch from a cross to settle any nerves.