This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
After seven games of the Premier League season, Southampton striker Danny Ings would probably have preferred a better start.
The former Liverpool striker has mustered just two goals in his seven league appearances, recording an average rating of 6.67 from WhoScored for his efforts so far.
However, one thing has been somewhat masking his underwhelming start to the campaign.
What is it?
Goalkeeping errors.
Ings’ two goals have both come courtesy of goalkeeping errors by the opposition.
His first Premier League goal of the season came after Liverpool stopper Adrian smashed the ball at him in an attempt to clear his lines, before it rifled beyond the Spaniard into his own net.
Following that blunder, the one-cap England international netted his second Premier League goal this term after Tottenham stopper Hugo Lloris tried to be too clever with the ball inside his six-yard box, where Ings robbed him and tapped home.
Neither of Ings’ two goals were of his own making – although you could praise his desire to press – but without those two mistakes, the Southampton No.9’s poor form would probably be more exposed.
What’s going wrong for Ings?
After moving to St Mary’s in a deal worth a fairly significant sum of £20m, you would expect more of Ings given how much he cost.
Since becoming a Saint, the 27-year-old has scored just nine goals in 31 Premier League appearances, a strike rate that isn’t too impressive for a player meriting such a fee, while also being one of international pedigree with experience of playing for Liverpool.
Ralph Hasenhuttl doesn’t seem to fancy Ings too much either, seeing as the Austrian has started the forward in just four of the Saints’ seven league games so far this term.
His double against Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup will hopefully do him some good, but as of now, goalkeeping errors are helping to mask Ings’ poor form in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen if he can climb out of the hole he currently finds himself in and actually start making things happen for himself.