Southampton are preparing for their biggest game of the season as they face Leeds United in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.
Since the moment the referee blew the full-time whistle on Southampton‘s 3-1 win over West Brom in the semi-final, all attention has been on the Leeds clash.
Manager Russell Martin has the unenviable task of coordinating a plan to overcome Leeds at Wembley and secure a place in the Premier League for next season.
He will take confidence from the fact that this is something he has already achieved twice this season, but will be aware that anything can happen in a one-off game.
One particular player could well be vital to Southampton’s chances of success, with the flexibility he has shown in the play-off games so far the main reason.
Ryan Fraser could play unexpectedly large role in play-off final
That player in on-loan winger Ryan Fraser.
The 30-year-old has been a valuable member of the squad this campaign, primarily making an impact off the bench but still managing to start 14 Championship games.
Fraser started the home triumph over West Brom, but prior to that had started just once in the previous eight games; that start coming when Martin rotated his side in a home defeat to Stoke City.
However, with Che Adams having gone off injured against Leeds in the final day 2-1 Southampton win and not featuring since, this has opened the door for Fraser.
In the away leg in which Southampton drew 0-0 away at West Brom, Fraser did not start as Martin opted to play a back three. Instead the Scotland international came off the bench in the 71st minute when a change of shape meant he played as a left winger.
However, in the home leg where Martin wanted his side to be on the front foot, Fraser started on the left in the 4-3-3 system his manager has generally preferred this season.
Whilst the Saints did start in a 4-3-3 shape, they constantly switched between a back three and four throughout the clash and this is why Fraser could be an important player on Sunday.
Fraser’s flexibility could keep Leeds guessing
Fraser was a key reason that Southampton were be able to swap so seamlessly between two different formations at St Mary’s.
Whilst he did start the game as a left winger, just eight minutes in eagle-eyed observers would have noticed him drop back to a left-wing position out of possession to make it a back three; Jack Stephens shifting from left-back to left centre-back.
This not only made Southampton look more solid when they were without the ball, but it kept the West Brom players guessing as they could not get to grips with the Saints’ constant changes in shape.
With Adams’ fitness uncertain, it could mean Fraser is again trusted to play this role in the side given that Adam Armstrong may have to take up the centre-forward position.
With his experience and quality, having Fraser in the side may just be a blessing for a relatively young Southampton squad on a day in which they will have to keep their composure.
Martin was really keen to bring his former Scotland teammate in on loan in the summer and spoke in January about Fraser’s influence after he scored a brace against Walsall in the FA Cup.
The Saints boss said at the time: “He was really good, really brilliant. He has such an amazing attitude and is a good example for the young boys.
“He maybe hasn’t started as many games as people may have thought or what he’d like but he’s been a huge player for us.”
Whilst he may not have started as much as he had hoped this season, Fraser could be set to start in the biggest game of all against Leeds.