Former Premier League benchwarmer Josip Drmic admits he is not surprised to see Mislav Orsic struggle at Southampton following that January departure from Dinamo Zagreb, speaking to Sportkse Novosti.
While Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu both started in a new-look frontline during the Saints’ 1-0 win away at Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, the £8 million Croatia international was conspicuous by his absence.
Orsic, arguably the most well-known of Southampton’s January recruits, was left out of the matchday squad for the third game in a row. In fact, since arriving some six weeks ago, he’s made only one cameo appearance in England’s top flight.
Former Dinamo Zagreb team-mate Drmic knows from experience, however, just how brutal and cut-throat life can be, managing only five starts during his ill-fated spell at Norwich City in 2019/20.
Mislav Orsic is struggling at Southampton
“No (I am not shocked),” Drmic sighs.
“I see that everyone is surprised that Orsic is not playing. Everyone is wondering how this is possible. I don’t wonder, because I was in England. I played for Norwich, (and) I know how it is.
“Details decide and, if something is just a little off, you are no longer important. No one is looking at you anymore. You become just a number on a jersey. They put you on the bench or you are out of the team for a long time.
“So, some other players start pushing (for your place). I have followed everything regarding the transfer of Orsic. When I look at everything, from the transfer to the choice of club, it really does not surprise me that our great former team-mate is not playing.”
‘He needs to do more’
Nathan Jones, prior to his departure earlier this month, preached patience with Orsic, arguing that the World Cup bronze medallist needs time and space to adapt to his new South Coast home. ‘Time’, however, is not something Southampton have a whole lot of. The Saints are still bottom, despite that shock win at Stamford Bridge.
“He needs to do more,” Jones said following a 2-1 FA Cup victory over Blackpool. “Absolutely he needs to do more. There’s bags of ability there and everything, but he needs to do more.
“But let’s be honest, he’s two games into an English career. He’s come from Zagreb where football is different and everything’s different. We’ll expect more from him over time.
“He’ll get there, and we’ve given him minutes. He’s had a good bit of exposure.
“Let’s judge him over time. At the minute we’re not seeing the best of him and he needs to do more but he’ll get there.”
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