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 probably be in search of their second win of the season this weekend, in opposition to a Bees facet who’re looking for their first victory on the highway 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 product of their season to this point?
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 might 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 along with his tried-and-tested possession-based fashion that had served Saints effectively within the Championship, however within the Premier League – whereas it regarded good at occasions – it helped usher in 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 slim 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 have been calling for his head in the course of the sport.
What has definitely not helped is the actual fact Southampton have made a league-high 12 errors resulting in targets – three greater than another – which has been a big issue within the truth they’re preventing 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 to this point?
The previous Croatian worldwide has solely taken cost of 1 sport at St Mary’s to this point, so many won’t have seen sufficient of him simply but, however what he mentioned when he first took cost will definitely have gotten many on board early doorways.
He mentioned: “It is essential to right away be related with the followers. I need an aggressive workforce and I feel that followers of Southampton will like that. I need us to be extra aggressive, to do way more urgent, and we have now to be fast to alter mentality as a result of that is my thought of soccer.”
He additionally likened his fashion of soccer to dying 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 is going to!
There’s a reported break clause in his contract so he might transfer on in the summertime if the combat in opposition to relegation isn’t profitable, however he says he’s optimistic about what his group of gamers can do.
‘I need an aggressive workforce and I feel that followers of Southampton will like that. I need us to be extra aggressive, to do way more urgent, and we have now to be fast to alter mentality as a result of that is my thought of soccer’
Do you suppose 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 mentioned Saints have fewer factors (six) at this stage of the season than Derby did in 2007/08 (seven), on their approach to a document low tally of 11 that 12 months.
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.
Certain, 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 totally conscious they should get pleasure from him whereas he’s nonetheless on the membership.
It’s his title that’s greeted with the most important cheers when the workforce is introduced at St Mary’s on a matchday: “Tyler Dibling, he’s one in every 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, most of the time, 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 greater up the Premier League desk, who know there may be a lot potential to be unlocked.
How is Jurić prone to arrange his facet on Saturday?
With 39 targets conceded already, the main focus 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 probably be in aim, 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 outing 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 select up a much-needed win, however I might see the Bees edging it 2-1.