Guardian 10 talking points underlining Theo Walcott's value to the team.
9) Wise Walcott may be Saints saviour
Against Leicester, Theo Walcott plugged on gamely down Southampton’s right flank, leaving the field just past the hour to loud applause from the home fans. It was from Walcott’s cross that Timothy Castagne conceded the penalty James Ward-Prowse missed. After Carlos Alcaraz had scored the eventual winner in the first half, the prodigal son – whose teammates in his first spell at the club included Dennis Wise, now 56 – led the rearguard effort. Walcott’s contract expires this summer, and he was making a first league start since November but said, behind the scenes, he has been “trying to help out the young players” as interim manager Rubén Sellés works to keep Saints up. “I’ve never really experienced so many manager changes and I’m nearly 34,” Walcott said. “It’s very disruptive.” Now, given a taste of action, he wants to play a fuller part. “People think I’ve been injured but I haven’t been, I’ve been here.”