Southampton getting closer and closer to relegation. Players don’t go to the manager, fans are unhappy

While Nottingham Forest’s Wednesday win at Southampton got them out of the relegation zone, it left the home side in last place in the table. The Saint’s are struggling more than expected before the season.

Nathan Jones took charge of Southampton after the sacking of Raku’s Ralph Hasenhüttl, who had made a name for himself among the players and fans in previous seasons. Although the Saints were not doing well, the club’s supporters rather disagreed with his end.

Jones’ dogged approach wasn’t working

The Welsh Championship specialist immediately started to rely on a three-defender formation upon his arrival. This caused the team to fall apart even further and they lost all four rounds under the new coach. They are already last in the table.

Jan Bednarek has left Southampton and the club is currently without three quality stoppers, yet Jones insists on his own. In addition, the best of them Armel Bella Kotchap was injured on Wednesday, yet the South Coast outfit continued with three at the back.

You don’t know what you’re doing

It’s no wonder Southampton fans chanted “You don’t know what you’re doing” at the head coach after the loss to Nottingham. Jones knew full well that Nottingham needed to be beaten, yet again he relied on three defenders.

The Saints had one chance all game and the stoppers certainly didn’t execute what you expect them to in this formation. There were whistles with their constant backward passes, and in the end Mohamed Salisu and Dujan Caleta Car incomprehensibly didn’t go for the spike when everything was on one card.

There is also a lack of appetite

While the players always struggled under Hasenhüttl, against Nottingham they didn’t seem to mind the situation at all. They didn’t want James Ward-Prowse, without whom the game simply doesn’t work. Perhaps he felt it just wasn’t worth it.

The Saints need to strengthen in the winter, even though they have a decent foundation. The squad is too young and it will take an experienced stopper and striker. The return of Danny Ings from Aston Villa would be ideal, with Calum Chambers on offer in defence. They both rotate at Aston Villa.

Source: Premier League