Pellegrino sympathy for Long's goal drought

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino says strike pair Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini need more support from their Saints' team-mates.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against West Brom at St Mary's, which is live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport platform [kick off 5.30pm], Pellegrino says the Southampton midfield has often left the forward pair too isolated this season.

Italy striker Gabbiadini netted his first goals in eight games for club and country with his brace against Newcastle last weekend, while Ireland forward Long has not scored a goal for club or country since February, a run of 25 matches.

"It always depends how it will be on the pitch with the ball, how we move the ball, the tempo of the ball, and Manolo and Shane are the type of player who need the team-mates to support them with the right passes, right penetration, good deliveries, good drive and passes, good crosses," the Argentine said.

“All of us we have to help them and they have to help all the rest."

Long and Gabbiadini started the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Sunday, but Pellegrino has hinted that he will play a 4-5-1 formation against Tony Pulis' side.

"It depends on the game," the former Alaves boss admitted. 

"The other day I felt that we could do it because I thought that Newcastle will be really well organised, something that we did and they did. 

"Sometimes we will play with two strikers again, sometimes we will go back to one, sometimes Shane can play a little bit on the right like some other games.

"The important thing for us is both are getting better every single week, for the confidence of the player to score goals completes their job, but I have got confidence in the way that they are training and preparing this week and we will decide who will play."

Southampton have no new injury worries for the game, while West Brom hope either Ben Foster or Boaz Myhill will be fit enough to keep goal after injury. James Morrison, Oliver Burke and Hal Robson-Kanu are still sidelined for the Baggies.

Shane Long's Southampton take on James McClean's West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday, 21 October, live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport platform [kick off 5.30pm].

Photo Getty Images/ Clive Brunskill

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