Whereas Southampton sit backside of the Premier League desk with simply six factors, forward of Saturday’s sport in opposition to Brentford at St Mary’s Stadium, Ivan Jurić’s facet are nonetheless in with an opportunity of escaping relegation this season, says Sky Sports activities’ Dan Lengthy.The Saints will likely be searching for their second win of the season this weekend, in opposition to a Bees facet who’re trying to find their first victory on the street this time period.
Southampton go into 2025 rooted to the underside of the Premier League desk, simply months after returning to the highest flight from the Championship. What have you ever manufactured from their season thus far?
Fairly horrible, is how I’d sum it up. There have been so many excessive factors final season, most notably the 22-game unbeaten run within the league and successful the play-off closing in opposition to Leeds at Wembley, that when the membership spent over £100 million to strengthen in the summertime, it appeared there could be extra of the identical and they’d get again onto the trail of changing into a longtime Premier League membership once more. That simply has not been the case.
Russell Martin caught together with his tried-and-tested possession-based model that had served Saints properly within the Championship, however within the Premier League – whereas it seemed good at instances – it helped herald solely 4 factors in 16 video games.
There have been fleeting glimpses of what they’re able to – see the opening levels of the 3-0 loss to Manchester United and the slender 3-2 defeat to Liverpool – however fleeting glimpses is all they’ve been.
Martin misplaced his job on 15 December, very shortly after the 5-0 humbling in opposition to Tottenham, which appeared inevitable when the followers had been calling for his head through the sport.
What has definitely not helped is the very fact Southampton have made a league-high 12 errors resulting in objectives – three greater than another – which has been a big issue within the reality they’re combating for his or her lives once more going into the New Yr.
Ivan Jurić got here in to exchange Martin six days after his departure. How have the followers taken to him thus far?
The previous Croatian worldwide has solely taken cost of 1 sport at St Mary’s thus far, so many is not going to have seen sufficient of him simply but, however what he stated when he first took cost will definitely have gotten many on board early doorways.
He stated: “It is necessary to right away be related with the followers. I would like an aggressive group and I believe that followers of Southampton will like that. I would like us to be extra aggressive, to do way more urgent, and now we have to be fast to vary mentality as a result of that is my thought of soccer.”
He additionally likened his model of soccer to demise steel music, so if that doesn’t at the least get some followers intrigued – and hopefully excited for what’s to come back – I have no idea what’s going to!
There’s a reported break clause in his contract so he may transfer on in the summertime if the combat in opposition to relegation just isn’t profitable, however he says he’s optimistic about what his group of gamers can do.
‘I would like an aggressive group and I believe that followers of Southampton will like that. I would like us to be extra aggressive, to do way more urgent, and now we have to be fast to vary mentality as a result of that is my thought of soccer’
Do you assume there may be any hope of survival?
I’m a glass-half-full sort of man and, rightly or wrongly, maintain onto hope in each state of affairs, so I can’t write Southampton off simply but – however I’ll say the state of affairs is bleak in the mean time.
I didn’t actually grasp how bleak it was till I noticed a graphic on X the opposite day that stated Saints have fewer factors (six) at this stage of the season than Derby did in 2007/08 (seven), on their technique to a document low tally of 11 that yr.
They’ve a brand new man in cost now, although, and he has not solely the January switch window wherein to strengthen if he so needs, but additionally one other 19 video games – half the season – to show issues round.
Positive, it’s a cliché, however they should deal with this as a season in itself. The duty at hand is large, so full focus is required always.
Which participant ought to Brentford followers be keeping track of on Saturday?
I’m such a giant fan of Tyler Dibling – and Southampton followers are absolutely conscious they should get pleasure from him whereas he’s nonetheless on the membership.
It’s his title that’s greeted with the largest cheers when the group is introduced at St Mary’s on a matchday: “Tyler Dibling, he’s considered one of our personal,” sing the followers.
Along with his Jack Grealish-like swagger, the 18-year-old is skilful and fearless on the ball and, when he will get ahead, as a rule, his mazy runs and nonchalant deliveries get followers off their ft.
He’s able to creating one thing from nothing and is undoubtedly being tracked by groups increased up the Premier League desk, who know there may be a lot potential to be unlocked.
How is Jurić more likely to arrange his facet on Saturday?
With 39 objectives conceded already, the main target now must be on locking issues up on the again if Saints are to have any probability of staying within the division.
Russell Martin performed a back-five in the direction of the tip of his reign, however the brand new boss has switched to a 3-4-1-2. Aaron Ramsdale will likely be in objective, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wooden the again three; Kyle Walker-Peters at left wing-back and both Yuki Sugawara or James Bree on the proper.
Flynn Downes, Joe Aribo, Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes have alternated within the centre since Jurić got here in, whereas Tyler Dibling performed behind Paul Onuachu and Adam Armstrong final day trip in opposition to Crystal Palace.
They’ve nonetheless solely taken one level from the three video games since his arrival, however don’t count on sudden adjustments to their set-up simply but.
What’s your rating prediction?
Given Brentford’s away document this season, Southampton will see this as a chance to choose up a much-needed win, however I may see the Bees edging it 2-1.