A number of Southampton fans hailed the performance of Caleb Watts following his impact during the Saints’ 2-0 win at home to League One Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup third round on Tuesday.
The Saints were looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at Leicester City last weekend and put aside their injury concerns to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Ralph Hasenhuttl offered a chance to a couple of the club’s rising stars and rested a couple of key players, which ultimately worked as they had just enough quality to make it through to the next round.
One of the young players to have been handed the chance to start was Watts, and the 19-year-old was picked to operate in something of a free role, proving to be a constant threat to the Shrewsbury defence with a number of neat touches. That enabled him to open things up on the ball in the final third.
During his 85 minutes on the field, he was able to help drive the Saints forward in possession and create chances in the final third. Watts looked full of confidence and belief and this would have been a performance to give Hasenhuttl food for thought to trust him to potentially make more appearances in the first team in the future.
The way that he was able to show authority and confidence on the ball and skip by players was reminiscent of the type of football produced by Aston Villa and England star Jack Grealish, which was pointed out by one Saints supporter. The England international also wears his socks down low in a similar fashion and, if Watts can also imitate his consistency, then Southampton will have a player on their hands
Southampton fans react to Caleb Watts’ performance
Many Southampton fans heaped praise on the performance of Watts and were keen to suggest that he has a lot of potential to be developed. Here are some of the best reactions on social media…
https://twitter.com/jamesalexwhite7/status/1351632912526016513?s=19
Watts looks very good #SaintsFC
— Josh Richards (@JoshR1988) January 19, 2021
Impressed with Watts. Not phased at all #saintsfc
— Glen de la Cour (leagueoneminus10) (@L1minus10) January 19, 2021
Caleb Watts has caught the eye. Looks an exciting prospect #SaintsFC
— Felix Keith (@felixkeith) January 19, 2021
Well played Watts…..very promising debut 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#saintsfc
— Jason Lawson (@jase1962) January 19, 2021
Caleb Watts looks like he has something about him, promising. #saintsfc
— Mangel (@mangel14s) January 19, 2021
I will say it again Caleb Watts is a god #SaintsFC
— charlotte²³ 🙂 (@chxrlottewx) January 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/andrewhal20/status/1351637831127609351?s=19
