Chapter 25: Tottenham Hotspur
As a striker, Kazuki desperately needed the help of a midfield player. At Manchester United u-18s he approached Bennett, at Southampton u-23s there was Rustan and Ryan. In the Southampton first team Kazuki also trying to make friends. In the shadow striker position, Denilson was too difficult for Kazuki to approach. Therefore he tried to be friends with Denilson's replacement, namely Crage Cramilton, a 25-year-old player who came to Southampton 1 year ago.
On the midfielder side, Kazuki had befriended Hugo as a right midfielder. Later, he also became friends with Southampton left midfielder Kounde Aklomussa, a player from the African continent. In the defensive midfielder, Southampton's first team captain, Simon Cadler is also quite friendly to him.
On the defender side, Kazuki was only familiar with Vicente as a substitute right-back. Lastly, he is also friends with Dean Smith as Southampton's main goalkeeper.
Kazuki's progress in adapting to his new comrades was quite fast. This can be proven in the recent Southampton training match. Kazuki managed to score consecutive goals. Kazuki's skills began to be revealed after his new comrades could read his movements. The young man from Japan managed to score a goal with the help of Hugo.
The difference between Hugo and Rustan lies in their playing style. Hugo relies more on skill and passing to become a right midfielder, while Rustan relies more on brute speed. Hugo's passes tended to be easier to accept, but they were sometimes more aimed at Kazuki than at the space in front of Kazuki. This is what made it very difficult for Kazuki in the beginning to score goals.
Meanwhile, Kazuki has also been able to adapt to Crage and Denilson's playing style. Crage prioritizes cooperation while Danilson prioritizes individual skills. In terms of individual skills, it is undeniable that Danilson is the best among Southampton players. It's not a bad thing for Danilson to prioritize individual skills, the problem is Denilson's shooting ability is a bit bad so he often wastes the golden opportunities that he creates.
On the left flank, Kounde has great pace and defensive ability. Occasionally he helps to attack but most of the time, Kounde is more focused on cutting the ball and marking opponents.
Southampton's formation is 4-4-2 with an attacking variation of 4-2-3-1 and a defensive variation of 4-5-1. Denilson's position is often behind the striker although Denilson has a lot of freedom in this formation. Denilson can swap positions with the winger, depending on the circumstances.
Osmund, who was Kazuki's rival was a speed-type striker. He has good speed, which can be used in counterattacks. Because Southampton always uses counterattacks strategy, of course, Osmund's value in Southampton's strategy is quite important. Osmund can also play as a right or left-wing. Osmund's header is his weakness. Osmund is also not good at fighting opponents who use defensive strategies.
In daily training, people could see that Kazuki's shooting ability was better than Osmund's. Meanwhile, Anthony who was supposed to be Kazuki's competitor for Osmund's substitute was defeated in all aspects by Kazuki. In his point of view, Kazuki didn't see Anthony as his competitor anymore.
On the other hand, Osmund who was Kazuki's competitor treated the Japanese youth kindly. Kazuki once asked Osmund, Didn't Osmund think Kazuki was a competitor?
Osmund replied that Osmund and Kazuki were different types of strikers, each of them would get their playing time according to the situation of the match.
After the daily training, Southampton head coach George Eastgate announced the big roster for tomorrow's game. Starting from the lineup of goalkeepers, George announced one by one the players on the big list.
"…Kazuki Kazeshima," George announced Kazuki as the last player in the big roster.
Kazuki smiled widely hearing that. The announcement made Kazuki sure that in George's mind, Kazuki was already more useful than Anthony. Even though Kazuki was only registered as a substitute but Kazuki was sure he would get a chance to compete in tomorrow's match.
***
Matchweek 24 of the English premier league, Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur at the St Marys stadium. In this match Southampton who is determined to stay away from the relegation zone should be able to pick up 3 points at their home, meanwhile The Lilywhite, also wants 3 points so they can get into the Champions League zone.
"Good evening everyone, welcome to the 24th round of the Premier League, Southampton will play against Tottenham at home.
Southampton who had negative results in the previous 5 matches, must be able to get a win because if they lose then Wigan Athletic who won the match yesterday will take 17th position and Southampton will have to drop to 18th position.
Meanwhile, Tottenham is very favored after Gareth Neill, a former Southampton player, recently in a hot state. The Welsh player managed to score 4 goals in the last 5 matches.
Southampton uses a 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper: Dean Smith;
Defenders: Vicente, Hilton, Okhalo, Benson;
Midfielders: Hugo, Simone, Rudolf, Kounde;
Strikers: Osmund, Denilson.
Tottenham Hotspur are using back their main formation, 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Llorente
Defenders: Zouma, Gregor, Anderson, Denis
Midfielders: Flaminho, Moric, Rouch
Forwards: Gareth Neill, Luminaire, Shradder
Compared to last week, Southampton fielded Vicente to replace Freddy. Meanwhile, on the bench, George Eastgate brought Japanese player Kazuki Kazeshima who played well in the reserve team. We'll see if Kazuki will get a chance to play in this match.
On the other hand, Tottenham put down their mainstay starting line-up. There's nothing to discuss, Tottenham who has won 2 in a row wants to continue their positive trend in this match."
From any point of view, Tottenham as a guest team is very favored by the media. With Moric's presence in midfield and Gareth Neill's pace on the wings, it's clear that Lilywhite's coach Harry Greenknap is confident in this match.
When the referee's whistle sounded, Southampton started the game quietly. However, Tottenham did a fierce High Press on Southampton.
In the 2nd minute, Southampton center-back Okhalo was forced to give the ball to the Southampton goalkeeper. At that time, Okhalo's pass was too weak. Meanwhile, Gareth Neill ran quickly to cut off Okhalo's pass. Dean Smith, realizing that the pass was not going to reach him, immediately ran forward to grab the ball.
Gareth's running ability is so fast that he manages to get the ball first. Gareth made a chip shot. As the Southampton fans panicked, the ball hit the post before veering off the pitch.
Gareth held his head regretting his inaccurate shot.
Even though he didn't score, this attack made Southampton fans' hearts flutter.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone