Southampton’s recent upturn in form has been well documented; many have put this down to acclimatisation to the punishing nature of the Premier League, an improved defensive shape and the emergence of the highly rated left back; Luke Shaw.

However, most have overlooked perhaps the most important factor in the Saints impressive turn around.

Mid November saw the reignition of a very promising central midfield partnership; Jack Cork returned from injury and reclaimed his place in the heart of Southampton’s midfield alongside defensive stalwart Morgan Schneiderlin. They have a variety of key roles to play depending on the game state and scenario; regardless of the change in management.

Both are a mere 23 years of age and have the potential to form a promising partnership that can last the ambitious Southampton for the next 10 years. Schneiderlin arrived from French Club Strasbourg in 2008 whilst Cork is a product of Chelsea’s youth system, signing for the Saints in 2011; they are thought to have cost the club a combined total of just under £2 Million.

The double act proved successful in the Championship as both were part of the Southampton side that were immediately promoted to the Premiership, having only spent the solitary season in the English second tier after promotion from League 1. Both were influential; as Cork played all 46 league games whilst Schneiderlin missed just four.

Unfortunately Cork was injured during a pre-season friendly and then subsequently again during his return in a Capital One Cup match; The consequence being that the Saints were deprived of one of their most consistent performers for what proved to be a very tough opening to their Premiership campaign.

James Ward Prowse and the energetic Steven Davis were both deployed in Cork’s absence but neither provided the correct balance; the former, extremely gifted with the ball at his feet but lacking in defensive nous and the later looking like more of an impact player rather than a regular starter. Southampton unsurprisingly missed Cork as they lost eight out of their ten opening games; including a 2-0 home loss to perennial strugglers Wigan Athletic.

On his return to the side Cork has been deployed as a deep lying midfielder, not your typical anchor man but with a defensive role none the less. As a result of this, the defensive burden no longer falls solely on Schneiderlin; ensuring that the Frenchman is not overworked and over ran in the centre of midfield.

Creative sparks such as Cazorla; who have been given the freedom to roam the pitch, can no longer pull Schneiderlin out of position; instead Cork and Schneiderlin can pass them off to one another as they enter different sections of the pitch.

Under previous manager Nigel Adkins, Cork was often positioned as the deepest central midfielder; he was the link between the defence and the attack (he averages the most passes per game in the entire Southampton team with 52.4).

When building an attack it was is his job to distribute from the back as he often dropped in between the two centre backs so as to allow the full backs to push further up the pitch and provide extra width and attacking options. Schneiderlin on the other hand pushed on to support the attack in the final third; looking to be on the end of knockdowns from talismanic striker Rickie Lambert.

However, this has seemingly now changed under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. When Southampton possess the ball in the opponents half, Schneiderlin is still the more advanced of the two, however instead of pushing on into the final third, he is at times stationed just inside the opposition’s half.

The Frenchman is ready to break up play high up the pitch, meaning that Southampton can maintain momentum during periods of attacking pressure, allowing the opposition no respite; typical of a Pochettino side.

Cork, his English counterpart sits slightly deeper and covers the space that Schneiderlin vacates; ready to take action in case the Frenchman is bypassed. The intention is to provide two barriers of defence so that if both fail to win the ball back, at the very least they have given fellow team mates the time to recover their defensive positions.

In a further evolution under Pochettino, the Frenchmen has started to press even further up the pitch. The presence of Cork allows Schneiderlin to aggressively press as soon as the ball is lost but without comprising space in the middle of the pitch. This was seen in the Wigan game where it became clear that Pochettino had officially stamped his mark on the team; Schneiderlin pressed in very advanced positions, even just outside the Wigan penalty area at times (Pochettino’s pressing system will be looked at at another time).

Even though he is at times operating in ‘attacking positions,’ as he had done under Nigel Adkins, the role being carried out is very different. Instead of supporting the attack; he is being used as the first line of defence; trying to force opposition centre backs into mistakes and or inaccurate long balls.

The effective partnership is also evident when Southampton have collapsed into a rigid structure and are defending inside of their own half. Both move in unison; almost telepathically, one backing up the space that the other has left when looking to win the ball back.

The secondary midfielder can pick up any loose balls from challenges and aerial duels; both actively realise the importance of this and so make sure they are never too far apart when the opposition are approaching the final third.

As seen in the graphic, one usually stays close to an attacking midfielder or striker who has dropped deep whilst the other marks the space that midfield runners may try to exploit. Cork (purple) challenges with Fellaini whilst Schneiderlin (green) is on hand to win the second ball. That is exactly what happens and Southampton then counter.

The often staggered positioning of the two denies playmakers who like to operate in between defensive and midfield lines the chance to dictate the game and create chances.

Atypical of Anglo-French relationships, a dependable understanding has been forged on the field. As a result the two rarely leave themselves or the defence exposed due to poor positioning; they are never too close together but also ensure that they are not split by passes in between them. Schneiderlin is a very clean tackler and times his challenges very well; often nipping in just before an opponent receives the ball.

Cork on the other had does not have that natural ability but is good with his initial press and rapidly shuts off passing lanes so as to force players into passing into unthreatening areas and allowing the team time to regain their defensive structure. His reading of the game means he can often press early and deny a player the opportunity to turn and make advances.

Both now frequently alternate in collecting the ball from defence, making it harder for opposition midfielders to disrupt distribution from defence via man marking methods (as Rooney has done to Arteta and Barca did to Carrick in 2009).

Advanced opposition midfielders are unsure as to who will be collecting the ball from the defence and so cannot shadow either player; meaning that the pair can effectively build attacks without the threat of being stifled.

Admirably the couple strive to always make themselves available; willing to receive the ball in the tightest of spots so as to alleviate pressure on the defence. Earlier in the season; especially in games without the talented Ward Prowse, the defence had a tendency to opt for the long and often inaccurate option if under any kind of pressure. The opposition could then easily regain possession and the cycle would begin again.

Individually they are very mature in their pass selection and are patient when trying to find a suitable outlet; as opposed to panicking if no team mate is immediately available. Their respective pass % completion ratios do not attribute necessary credit as the long ball into Rickie Lambert became a regular tactic under Nigel Adkins.

Cork has great awareness of the space around him and is good at protecting the ball whilst under pressure, giving time for team mates to provide support. The Englishman has a fantastic work rate; you often see him scurrying across the midfield so as to offer a teammate in a precarious position an easy outlet.

A real player who puts the team first; he even has played right back when asked; such is his understanding of the game. The Carshalton born youngster brings both industry and class, offering great protection to the back four; whilst also providing cover for full backs when they foray forward. In essence, despite the little praise garnered on him, he does a lot of the unnoticed work that allows the team to effectively function.

Schneiderlin provides brilliant defensive attributes, able to effectively snuff out attacks in an instant. He is the modern defensive midfielder, very adept at winning the ball without having to go to ground but still has that ability in the slide tackle if necessary.

Although appearing more languid than his English colleague, he clearly is effective, making on average 4.1 tackles and 3.5 interceptions per game; the highest and second highest respectively in the Premier League this season.

The young Frenchmen is also adept with the ball at his feet and when unshackled from defensive duties, possesses a very impressive passing range (Most recently against Aston Villa where 7/8 of his long balls were accurate).

Together they provide an effective and assured screen in front of a previously fragile Southampton defence; both were crucial to the Southampton side that played under Nigel Adkins and it seems that they are also essential components in Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical set up. The dynamic and interchangeable nature of their partnership has made the Saints less predictable whilst it has added stability and consistency in a vital area of the pitch.

This defensive stability however, has come with an unfortunate yet necessary sacrifice. The recommencement of this partnership was met with Southampton’s upturn in form and defensive improvement but it has also coincided with a seemingly reduced attacking threat. Neither central midfielders are natural attackers and this shows when they venture into the final third; they lack the attacking instinct and quality to make a real difference.

Schneiderlin does have three goals to his name this season but Cork has not registered any, whilst neither has recorded a single assist. Despite the drop in attacking prowess; the sacrifice was required as the team were leaking goals at an alarming rate; conceding 12 goals in their first four matches.

Southampton have lost only 3 of the 14 games in which they have both started in central midfield; and although the team has collectively improved when defending with and without the ball, the combative duo have no doubt played their part. If Southampton are to survive then unquestionably these two will have a big role to play.

This talented partnership has been somewhat overlooked this season and although the new manager may have his own ideas about other areas of the Southampton line up, the future of his central midfield is in safe hands.

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