We are very much approaching the business end of the Championship, with just 13 league games remaining for clubs to seal their fate.
Southampton are involved in a very tight battle for automatic promotion. Leicester City have a bit of breathing room at the summit of the Championship, but behind them Leeds United, Ipswich Town and the Saints are all jostling for position.
Southampton face away trips to all three of their promotion rivals before the season is out, with the match between Russell Martin‘s side and Leeds at Elland Road on the final day hotly tipped as a promotion decider.
With just over a quarter of the campaign remaining, here is how we rate every player currently at the club out of ten who has featured in ten league games or more so far this season.
How do Southampton players rank this season so far?
Gavin Bazunu – 7
Martin asks a lot of his goalkeepers, especially in possession, and Gavin Bazunu is one of the better goalkeepers in the division on the ball. Still susceptible to mistakes but has kept ten clean sheets and – having just turned 22 – has so much potential.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 9.5
Ever-present in the league and has impressed in a number of positions. Southampton’s player of the season so far, with his two goals and two assists far from the full story for the player Martin labelled ‘really gifted’ in January.
Won’t be short of interest in the summer but will have a huge say on whether Southampton get promoted or not in the remainder of the season.
James Bree – 7
Waited patiently for his chance and took it with both hands playing as an unorthodox left-back when Ryan Manning was suspended for the 2-2 draw with Preston in late October. That game was the start of a run of five consecutive league starts having barely featured for Southampton after signing in January.
Better defensively than Manning and has been missed while absent through injury since 23rd December. His imminent return will be a welcome boost.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 8
Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been a defensive rock since joining Southampton on loan in the summer, whilst his calm presence on the ball is perfect for the style of play Martin desires. Having helped Burnley to the Championship title last season it is unthinkable that the 22-year-old won’t be a Premier League player next season, the only question is whether it will be for Southampton.
If the Saints are promoted they have an obligation to buy but, should they fall short, the Manchester City man will have plenty of suitors.
Jan Bednarek – 8
Southampton’s ‘Mr. Reliable’ this season and has won over the fanbase having previously alienated many with his comments upon joining Aston Villa on loan last season. Has formed a solid partnership with Harwood-Bellis and has become a real leader in the side this campaign.
Jack Stephens – 6.5
Jack Stephens is the club captain but, having missed a sizeable portion of the first-half of the campaign, has struggled to displace the aforementioned central defensive duo. Has played as a makeshift full-back but does not look hugely comfortable performing the role and often gets exposed for his lack of pace.
Ryan Manning – 6.5
When Manning arrived at the club in the summer it was a deal that just made sense. The left-back had been an important player under Martin at Swansea City and was available on a free transfer following a season in which he had scored five league goals and provided a further ten assists.
With that in mind, the 27-year-old’s current return of no goals and two assists is a little disappointing, but it is his defensive work that has drawn the most criticism. Manning is good in possession and understands what his manager wants from him, but the Saints have looked far more solid when he is not in the side.
Flynn Downes – 8.5
Flynn Downes has been the metronome in front of the back four this season and his absence – particularly in the past three games – has been sorely felt. The on-loan midfielder has a pass completion rate of a remarkable 94.14% in the Championship this season and everything Southampton do goes through him.
Southampton will be desperate to keep the 25-year-old beyond the end of this season but his future is another that is likely to hinge on whether Southampton achieve promotion.
Shea Charles – 7
Shea Charles has done well at times in his first season of senior football but has perhaps been a victim of his own versatility. The Northern Ireland international has played centre-back, right-back, holding midfield and as a box-to-box midfielder this season but has struggled to get an extended run in the side in any one of those roles.
At just 20, Charles will only get better but he must improve on the ball under pressure if he is to be a success in Martin’s side.
Will Smallbone – 7.5
Will Smallbone has scored four and assisted one in his first season as a regular for the club at which he graduated from the academy. He benefits from having lots of the ball and links up well with Walker-Peters and Adam Armstrong from his right central midfield position and has also deputised as the holding midfielder at times.
A decent campaign so far from Smallbone but can look a little lightweight at times and struggles against more aggressive sides.
Stuart Armstrong – 8
Stuart Armstrong is Southampton’s oldest regular starter at 31 and his experience and composure have both been real assets for the Saints this season. Despite his advancing years, the Scotland international is still capable of an impressive burst of pace and when he drives into the final third from midfield it is a sight to behold.
Has grown as the season has gone on and looks the fittest he has in years after a couple of campaigns blighted by niggling injuries. Should add to his three goals and five assists before the season is out.
Joe Aribo – 7
Another player who had to wait for his opportunity but surprisingly got that when Downes missed the early December trip to Watford through injury. Similarly to Bree, Joe Aribo seized his chance and went on to start the next five consecutive Championship games.
The Nigerian was absent through January as he helped his country to the final of the African Cup of Nations but has looked sharp since coming back and scored off the bench in Southampton’s last game.
Adam Armstrong – 8
Adam Armstrong is a player who somewhat divides the fanbase. He has unquestionably improved this season and is Southampton’s primary source of goals with 16 in the league and an additional 11 assists, however there are still question marks over his finishing and ability to play as the lone central striker.
Armstrong’s best work has been from a wide right position this season and he has formed a good understanding with Walker-Peters, who occupies the space vacated by Armstrong as he drifts into central areas. Concerns remain over the 27-year-old’s ability to step up to the Premier League but without his goals so far this season they wouldn’t be in the automatic promotion race.
Sam Edozie – 7.5
This has been a coming of age season for Sam Edozie after understandably lacking end product in his debut campaign last season. The 21-year-old has six goals and three assists in the league and has looked much more decisive in the final third than previously.
Edozie’s close control and willingness to take on his defender make him a real asset to the Southampton attack and he is relishing becoming an increasingly important member of the squad.
Ryan Fraser – 7.5
Ryan Fraser has made no secret of his desire to earn a permanent deal at Southampton following the conclusion of the season and he is going the right way about doing just that. At 30, Fraser is an experienced head but he has really embraced the challenge of reviving his career in the Championship and has scored some crucial goals.
Really stepped up in January with both Edozie and Kamldeen Sulemana injured and matches Edozie’s tally of six goals, whilst his two assists see him one behind the man nine years his junior.
Kamaldeen Sulemana – 6
Started the campaign injured and took a while to get up to fitness but looked bright once he did. Is yet to score this season and has registered three league assists. Given he is Southampton’s record signing, fans rightfully expect so much more from Kamaldeen Sulemana and his disinterested body language certainly does not endear him to the fanbase.
Injury again disrupted his campaign from the end of November to the start of February. Will need a big end to the season to go any way to living up to his £22 million transfer fee.
Che Adams – 7
There has been speculation surrounding Che Adams‘ future for the entirety of the campaign but, with the January transfer window shut, the striker can at least focus on Southampton until the end of the season. The Scotland international has had an indifferent campaign with runs of poor performances often undoing his purple patches of form.
Whether he is looking to earn an improved contract offer from Southampton or tempt a Premier League club into gambling on his future, Adams should be looking to vastly improve on his eight league goals before the end of the season.
Sekou Mara – 6.5
Sekou Mara is a player who constantly flatters to deceive in a Southampton shirt. He is a very talented young player with bags of potential but every time you think he has turned the corner in regard to his consistency he puts in a performance like the one that saw him subbed off at half-time against Hull City last time out.
At 21, he has time on his side but many had hoped a season in the Championship would be the making of the former Bordeaux striker. Currently, though, it looks as though Adams will be the man to lead the line for the promotion race.