Southampton could now make a move for a “quality” attacker quickly, having clearly been left impressed during a recent scouting mission.
Saints fall to 15th after Hull City defeat
The Saints are now 15th in the Championship table, ten points off the play-offs, following the 2-1 defeat against Hull City at the weekend, with Tonda Eckert winning just two of the nine games he’s taken charge of since being appointed as permanent manager.
However, Eckert hinted his side deserved to beat the Tigers on the balance of play, saying: “If we look at the stats the game has a very clear direction but the result is a different one. We need to get our heads up and put our chests out.
The 32-year-old also added: “I have all of the faith that there is that we will show a reaction. I live and breathe for this football club and I do everything 24/7 to bring it back on the road and that will continue.
In all honesty, the chances of an instant return to the Premier League are starting to look remote, but Southampton are continuing to scour the market for new reinforcements, who could help them get back on track in the second half of the season.
Having already signed Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz on loan this month, the Saints are now looking to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch, with it being revealed they have conducted a scouting mission to assess Wigan Athletic’s Harrison Bettoni.
That is according to reporter Alan Nixon (via Football League World), with scouts watching the attacking midfielder in action in a 1-0 victory against Preston North End in the FA Cup, and the 18-year-old scored the only goal of the game.
Having clearly been impressed by what they saw, Nixon reveals Southampton could make a move for Bettoni quickly, in order to ensure they beat bigger clubs to his signature.
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“Quality” Bettoni showing promising signs at Wigan
Not only did the teenager catch the eye against Preston, but he also impressed against AFC Wimbledon earlier this season, firing home a free kick, and manager Ryan Lowe subsequently praised his performance.
Lowe said: “We were getting him (Bettoni) on anyway, but when I saw the free-kick from that side, I just knew the quality he’s got. So I said to him to go and take it. The lad’s looking at me going, ‘Really?’
“But I said, ‘Go on, pick a corner and put it in’, and the kid went and did that, so fair play.”
In what has been a real breakthrough season for the youngster, he has four goals to his name in all competitions, an impressive tally, given his age.
As such, Bettoni could be an exciting long-term addition to Southampton’s squad, but considering he is yet to prove himself above League One level, it is unlikely the starlet would be able to make a major impact during the second half of the campaign.
