While Oasis may not want us to look back in anger, it is difficult for Saints fans not to when reflecting on the season so far, with what has simply been a horrendous start to their 25/25 campaign. All talk of the “need for a strong start” and the “carrying forward of momentum” has been silenced, as Southampton now find themselves 4 games in and without a point to their name.
While it hasn’t always been as bleak as the statistic sounds, with some positive spells showing the potential of this squad, the singular goal scored this season speaks volumes. Averaging a possession of 60-80% a game, the lack of final product is haunting the south coast side. All lessons learnt from the season in the championship seem to have gone out of the window, with poor communication, silly errors and tactical mistakes being made weekly.
This weekend as Southampton braced themselves for the arrival of the Red Devils at St Marys, Russell Martin accepted the need for change. He shifted from the back 5 which had been struggling thus far to a back 4 of Sugawara, Bednarek (who this week has signed a new contract until 2027), Stephens and Kyle-Walker Peters. Initially this looked to be game changing, with the ball flowing much more freely out from the back and up the pitch, and the line holding well when United did press back – however, this apparent success was short lived.
The Saints attacked hard and fast off the whistle, with a big chance falling at the feet of exciting young talent Tyler Dibling in the 7th minute. In his first premier league start, it looked like a goal may fall for him but Onana made the save. This press continued and United’s defence struggled to coordinate themselves in the opening phases of the game. In the 30th minute Southampton were awarded a penalty for a challenge made on Dibling by Dalot on the edge of the box – this was the penalty that would ultimately change the game for Southampton.
Summer signing Cameron Archer stepped up to take, and after a poor effort it was easily saved by Onana. Many fans questioned why the youngster was the one stepping forward, with Chilean international striker Ben Brereton Diaz on the pitch. This question felt even more poignant after the statistic came out that in 117 professional appearances Cam Archer had never taken a penalty, whereas Diaz had scored 7/7 he had taken.
From this point on, things rapidly fell apart for the Saints, with De Ligt taking the lead for United, only two minutes later. Southampton failed to recover and despite a great save from new keeper Ramsdale in the 40th minute, they went into half time 2-0 down after Marcus Rashford punished ball watching in the box, ending his goal drought.
Things got no better in the second half, with the game finishing 3-0 and 11v10 after Southampton lost club captain Jack Stephens for a challenge on Garnacho, who now looks likely to face an additional ban for foul language towards the officials after the game.
Unfortunately this performance has become the standard for Southampton, with positive spells and comfortable possession however total lack of creation in the final third, clueless decision making and avoidable mistakes resulting in goals being conceded. The question now starting to build on both club and manager, is how we break the cycle.
A season spent playing like this will result in relegation without even a window of hope for survival. With the way we play we have to accept that goals will be conceded, and therefore it is even more essential that we capitalise when we are on top to make points viable.
The stage looks set for a long season for Southampton, with answers and solutions to countless problems largely unknown. Next weekends fixture against Ipswich has never felt more important.
Things are tough, but this is football.
We March On.
Poppy Deabill