In a season that has left us all deflated, it is miserable to be writing an overview of it.
Expectations were low but the reality was even lower. Performances were plagued with complacency when they were do or die moments and a truly sensational inadequacy when it came to maintaining any form of forwards momentum has left the club shipwrecked.
For the last few years some have felt as if this club is chasing a rainbow, hoping to find a pot of gold containing all their solutions at the end, and this season they truly missed the mark. They always say to trust the process but there are many questions up in the air about what the actual process has been as of late.
Southampton used to work because it was a well oiled machine. Clear recruitment was made, players were developed, and they moved onwards and upwards for profit – and their then replacement would fit the system just as well. There was a constant movement of incomings and outgoings but they were almost always well thought through investments. While of course this wasn’t always the case, with there being a good list of players who you could argue never really met the level at the club, this list was much smaller in proportion to the list of players who did make positive progress and impact while on the south coast.
This is where in recent years the narrative for the saints has been far from parallel. Quality players have left and then failed to be replaced appropriately. Money has been spent on the wrong players at the wrong time, and there is an impression that signings have been made on statistics rather that suitability. If someone were to give you the list of our squad at the start of the season you would have been able to recognise talent and pick out so many individuals who should in theory be great prospects for the season ahead – however this has been one of the largest problems, you can only pick out individuals. This squad has failed to gel and there are so many contrasting play styles that there is poor link up and poor delivery on the pitch. For such a large squad, there feels like a lack of squad depth… It is a truly bizarre situation that shouldn’t happen at a club of this level.
Management hasn’t helped this lack of cohesion in any way whatsoever. With the club going through 3 managers this season, you would be within in your rights to say the situation is volatile. With such a young squad, the distinct lack of decided leadership has haunted everyone from players to fans and all staff inbetween. The descision to part ways with Ralph Hassenhuttl in November was one we mostly welcomed at the time, but after witnessing the travesty that was his replacement, Nathan Jones, I think many would say this was our biggest downfall this season. While noone claims we would have been safe under Ralph, I think we all can acknowledge that we would have seen more positive football being played and we would have potentially won more of those “do or die” games because of it and I think as a club it is an interesting point to reflect on and have a discussion over. Nathan Jones in contrast barely warrants talking about, only managing the club for 14 games before being sacked. His time in term says it all, his appointment shooting Southampton in the foot. He left the club in such an abysmal position that when Selles came in, it was a suicide mission. Even so, Selles didn’t help himself, preferring to play defensive football when all we needed was to score.
That inability to score is such a gaping wound that truly needs addressing. It has been an issue for multiple seasons now and one that hasn’t been resolved. January saw Paul Onuachu join, a seasoned striker, however he is a prime example of recruitment on numbers rather than nature. He didn’t fit our play style at all and has failed to be utilised. In contrast January signing Charly Alcaraz has been one of the players of the season in the time he’s been here, providing more positive opportunities alone than most of the squad combined, however he needs that clinical striker to line up with. Southampton have to sign someone who is able to get that ball and put it in the back of the net, otherwise they could face a true nightmare situation in the championship.
The signings made this summer will be some of the most important in the club’s history. To fail to prepare now, is preparing to fail. With significant wage cuts and many players being on the hit lists for other Premier league sides, many will be making their departures so recruitment is key; it will be what makes or breaks the 2023/24 season. Midfield has to be strengthened, quality centre backs need to he invested in and more than anything else we need some impactful trigger players. If we keep hold of players like Alcaraz I personally feel the outlook on next season is far brighter however if he chooses to move away from the club, these summer transfers become even more influential.
Overall this relegation could be the making of the club. It is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and completely rebuild. I refuse to make any predictions on whether I think we can contend for promotion until we see how this summer pans out, especially as we wait in suspense of whether Russell Martin will be announced as manager. Last season was one to forget, but now it’s time to reconstruct for a better future.
Signing off for this saints season,
Poppy Deabill (@pdeabill_football)