For any club that undergoes relegation, recruitment and replacement are often the two most important elements to get right. In order to have a successful first campaign in the league below, you need to address the issues and bring in new talent both to fix these and prevent more arising. As you see departures (both anticipated and not), and an often untested formulae going into the new season, this transition period is often the hardest thing to execute, yet I feel few have managed it as well as Southampton have this year.
With limited time and limited budgets, the Championship often favours those who can supply themselves a strong selection of loan players. Southampton have excelled with this. Equipping themselves a hand of cards that contains Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, Ryan Fraser and (albeit less notably) Mason Holgate, they have helped add depth to the squad, allow for competition for starting positions and found solutions to both their defensive consistency and attacking weakness in the second half of games.
Taylor Harwood Bellis has been the anchor man of Russell Martin’s reconstructed defence, strong on and off the ball, providing stability when before the back line has been reputedly frantic. He is the commanding figure and quick to correct himself as well as those around him. One of the best performing centre backs in the league, it has left us all wondering why Burnley didn’t try harder to sign him in the summer after he helped guide them to promotion.
Proving to be a forward thinking but defensively intelligent young player, the scope for his development seems tremendous. If asked, I don’t think you would find a single Southampton fan who wouldn’t like to keep him on a permanent deal, however this seems unlikely without promotion, which is still very up in the air. With Leeds dropping points, and the saints on an increasingly expansive unbeaten streak (their best record of form in the club’s history) there is an opportunity, however with Leicester and Ipswich still performing (albeit Ipswich slowing down, having no wins in their last 5 league games) it is unlikely that automatics will fall in Southampton’s favour after a few wobbly performances at the start of the season.
One player who is also largely responsible for this incredible run of form is the affectionately known “wee Man”, Ryan Fraser. The flying Scott had many in doubt of the club’s vision when announced, after rumours of being a disruptive figure in the dressing room and lacking both minutes and goals in recent times. It’s not the first time the Newcastle striker has graced the South coast, after a stint at Bournemouth where he scored 24 goals for the club and made 208 appearances, but this is truly the brightest he’s shone along the shoreline.
A now renowned super sub, Fraser is a player who offers instant impact, and has been key to resolving Southampton’s pressing issue of dropping off in the second half of games. After always coming out strong with an attacking press for the first 45 in games, there became a noticeable drop off at around the 65/70 minute mark. Being brought off the bench, Ryan has been Martin’s temporary fix for this, but a fix that once again I am sure many would like to see become permanent.
While Fraser often offers a solution in response to an issue, Flynn Downes has been in the initial equation more times than not for the gaffer. On loan from West Ham, he has truly made his presence known. With the loss of Ward Prowse and Romeo Lavia, the gap Southampton could have faced in midfield is a terrifying thought, however with Downes and the return of Smallbone from Stoke City (as well as the introduction of Manchester City youngster, Shea Charles), this combination has been quiet, but consistent.
Playing a brand of football reliant on a squad who love nothing more than holding possession, Flynn Downes fits this system like a glove. He is positive on the ball but defends his space well, with a strong hold on his position, thriving next to Smallbone who has proved to be another truly solid defensive midfielder.
Mason Holgate was the final loan addition to the Saints this season. After a infamously memorable debut, I don’t think I would be unfair to say many fans were prepared to offer him a lift back to Everton themselves, however from this point on he has seemed to settle when given game time. While he hasn’t broken into the starting eleven on a regular basis, he has coped well when questions have been asked of him, proving to be adjustable and capable.
Not necessarily the most impactful on the pitch, he has been a loud personality in the dressing room, and has won over the hearts of many of his teammates. He’s settled well into life on the south coast, and while it was rumoured he would be recalled this January window, he has since become cup tied to the club, perhaps suggesting differently. Offering competition for starting positions, and adding necessary squad depth, he is a clever loan deal, however one I would say is unlikely to become permanent.
Overall, this season has proved to anyone who was ever in doubt just how important loan deals are, and how vital they are for any team pushing for short term solutions to long term degradation. As we enter the January transfer window, we need to look to expand yet more in the final remaining positions; the most noteable for me being wingers. With Sulemana and Edozie injured, Amo-Ameyaw seemingly not quite ready for first team action and Aribo heading away to AFCON, this is an area that needs focused attention. While Ryan Fraser is available, and youngster Tyler Dibling possibly being ready to have his name thrown into the hat, there still feels a certain sense of vulnerability there.
Both Stuart and Adam Armstrong could also arguably be pushed into this position, often seen being played wide in a front 3, however this once again feels vulnerable going into the most important part of the season.
This secondary transitional period can be what makes or breaks teams on a promotion run, so as fans we must applaud the success of the summer and anticipate the development of this winter window. 2023 was a year where we saw the club go full cycle, from one of of the club’s lowest points to their highest, we can only look with optimism into this new year as we await to see what narratives unfold. Here’s to 2024 being the year we bounce back.
Poppy Deabill
(cover image in collaboration with @saints_.designs)