Will Smallbone has continued his fine play-off form with an excellent performance in Ireland’s 2-1 win over Hungary on Tuesday.
The Southampton academy graduate really stepped up during the play-offs, scoring the crucial first goal of the semi-final second leg against West Brom before providing the assist for the only goal of the game in the final.
The 2023/24 season was Will Smallbone‘s first as a regular for his boyhood club, having spent the season prior on loan at Stoke City as Southampton were relegated from the Premier League.
His performances in a Saints shirt saw him start for Ireland on Tuesday night in a friendly against Hungary, with interim manager John O’Shea playing the 24-year-old in a central midfield two.
Will Smallbone impresses in Ireland win
Smallbone played 90 minutes in Dublin in a game in which Ireland took a surprise win against a Euros-bound Hungary.
The midfielder played a key role as he earned his eighth international cap, assisting Adam Idah’s opener from a cross before Ireland found a 92nd-minute winner through Troy Parrott.
Smallbone was named man of the man in an all-action display that has become increasingly common over the last few months for a player who was previously viewed as perhaps not being aggressive enough.
According to Sofascore, Smallbone won all three of his duels and was fouled twice, as well as registering a pass success rate of 81%.
His 60 touches was the third most of any Ireland player and he also completed two of his crosses and was successful with his only dribble of the game.
Smallbone proving he is Premier League ready
In Hungary, Ireland were facing a side unbeaten in their last 14 matches.
Whilst it should be noted that this was a pre-tournament friendly for the Hungarians, it would not be a surprise if their line-up on Tuesday night was the team they start in their first group game.
In a game in which he was up against Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, Smallbone stood out as the best performer on the pitch and took real responsibility for his side.
It is something he has been doing for Southampton too, with Stuart Armstrong‘s injury towards the end of the season meaning Smallbone had to really step up.
With Armstrong now confirmed to be departing at the end of his contract this summer, Southampton are likely to sign a replacement.
However, that should not be at the expense of Smallbone, who has grown in confidence in a Saints shirt and is a player manager Russell Martin is a massive fan of.
Speaking after just the first game of the season – a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday – Martin heaped praise on Smallbone.
The Southampton boss said: “He’s a really outstanding footballer and his performances so far have justified why I wanted to sign him at Swansea – so we must have got one right.
“He will play in different roles for us as well. He really is a gifted footballer with some good Championship experience after last season.
“I hope he enjoyed that tonight because I really enjoyed watching him.”
Now, for Smallbone it is about taking that next step in the Premier League, and he is doing everything right to prove he deserves the opportunity to do just that.