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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has admitted that Southampton striker Paul Onuachu has been central to the tactical changes implemented by Ivan Juric since taking over at St Mary’s, Soccernet.football reports.
Juric, formerly of Verona and Torino, was appointed Saints boss in December after Russell Martin was sacked following a poor run of results. He inherited a team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and tasked with leading them to safety.
However, the Croatian manager has struggled to turn things around, with Southampton winning just once in January and February. They remain ten points from safety.
Despite their precarious position, the Saints have shown more fight in recent games, with Onuachu emerging as a key figure in attack.
The Nigerian striker netted a late goal in a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, nearly inspiring a dramatic comeback. He then scored an 88th-minute winner in a crucial 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town.
“Tall Paul has ANOTHER goal!” pic.twitter.com/4njFENj4kx
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 1, 2025
The former Genk forward will be eager to add to his tally when Southampton host Bournemouth on Saturday.
Speaking about Juric’s impact, Iraola acknowledged Onuachu’s growing influence.
“They press a lot off the ball,” Iraola told BBC. “They go to man-mark and I don’t expect us to be comfortable on the ball. We will do the same, so I think it’s going to be a big fight in the middle. Their approach on the ball is much more direct now, especially to Paul Onuachu and other players up front.”
Onuachu has made 14 Premier League appearances this season, playing 539 minutes. He has started six matches and come off the bench eight times, scoring twice—making him Southampton’s joint second-highest scorer in the league.
The Saints face Bournemouth on February 15 in their next Premier League outing.
Last season while on loan at Trabzonspor, Onuachu was in fine form, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists in 21 Süper Lig appearances. Southampton fans will be hoping he can rediscover that scoring touch to boost their survival hopes.
