Comparing the form of Southampton striker Graziano Pelle in 2014 vs 2015

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The Italian has struggled since the turn of the year to find his best form.

In the summer Southampton lost a whole heap of players. They also lost their manager, but the replacements have been excellent.

Ronald Koeman replaced Mauricio Pochettino. He in turn used the transfer market to replace those players that left Southampton. Ryan Bertrand replaced Luke Shaw, Dusan Tadic replaced Adam Lallana, Toby Alderweireld replaced Dejan Lovren and, last but not least, Graziano Pelle replaced Rickie Lambert.

It seemed, at the start of the season at least, that Southampton had got the better end of that deal.

But this table below shows the vital statistics of Pelle in 2014 and then again in 2015.

His dip in form is alarmingly clear.

After playing a direct role in ten goals from 19 appearances before the turn of the year he has contributed to diddly squat since in 2015.

The Italian is not however having less scoring attempts or touches per game.

The table below is a minutes per version of the previous one, which shows how many minutes it takes Pelle, on average, to touch the ball or have a shot on goal. Pelle is just as involved as he was before.

However, at the moment nothing appears to be running for the big man. It could be bad luck, it could be a lack of confidence but one thing for sure is this, Southampton need him to rediscover the 2014 form if they are to finish in the top four.