Scooping their first win since 7th February, Southampton might have been a little chuffed about securing a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace last week, but this is leaving fans agonising and begging for more of an encouraging performance from the St. Mary’s men. Dropping dramatically, and rather sadly, down to seventh place in the Premier League standings, it’s perhaps fair to question exactly what’s happening within the once formidable south coast squad. How have things spiralled so dismally downwards since the start of the season? Should Ronald Koeman be looking to tighten his team, or not be too concerned just yet? I’d argue in favour of the former.
There was one, albeit short-lived, stage where Saints occupied second place, which is almost absolutely flabbergasting considering their usual ‘do we/don’t we’ routine in which they simply play ball and see what happens. Of course, this wouldn’t have done wonders for keeping the feet of avid supporters firmly on the ground, but hope did spring, and it was fantastic while it lasted. However, is this where we sit up and realise that things aren’t about to get any more comfortable for Southampton, as gaps between teams in the top four begin to close?
In the 83rd minute of action against Palace, on home turf, Sadio Mané claimed the only goal of the game – should it really take so long to prize the opposing keeper out of position, urging him to concede? Not if you’re a top team; this is perhaps where Saints fans must realise there is still something of a gulf between them and the Arsenals, Manchester Cities and Chelseas of the world. As much as I don’t dare openly admit that, it’s worth noting that Saints have been punching rather above their weight for the majority of the division’s current term.
Although, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Saints would never be able to better themselves and finish in the top four at all (I still think they’re good enough); they haven’t gelled as brilliantly as they originally did following Koeman’s arrival, though. The dynamic duo of Dušan Tadić and Graziano Pellè hasn’t been operating in prime form for an extensive period. Saints were particularly sturdy up front when these two were poised for action, and this goal-scoring ritual was only improved by spritely Mané. It is simply a shame that this neat little formation isn’t readied in the way it used to be (feel free at this point to start whispering about Pellè possibly vacating Saints in the summer, but I’d rather not entertain that idea properly just yet). Even Morgan Schneiderlin hasn’t been quite as regiment as he was last season; this could be due to the somewhat colossal restructuring of the team this season, or perhaps just personal form and fitness. Irrespective, those team members on hand to be sharp and successful in the opposing box seem to teeter in and out of consciousness week-by-week, which I would not have predicted looking at their original prowess of last August/September. Not even Fraser Forster seems capable of confidently blocking and stopping threats towards goal.
So, with this in mind, it’s about time to buckle in, for the rather frightening upcoming fixture against Chelsea is sure to be one bumpy journey. Do Saints have what it takes to keep Chelsea at bay? Will it be a bloodbath? Have Saints alternatively been reserving some vital energy for this match? We shall very soon see.
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Main Photo AFP PHOTO/GEOFF CADDICK
