Southampton must put right a worrying trend if they are to keep their promotion dreams alive this season.
After an indifferent start to the season and a run that saw Southampton lose four consecutive Championship games in September, Russell Martin‘s playing style understandably came under question from sections of the fanbase.
These doubts were answered in emphatic fashion, as Southampton followed this damaging run of results with a record-breaking unbeaten run of 25 games in all competitions.
That run saw Southampton briefly reside in the Championship automatic promotion spots, but a run of four losses in the last six games in all competitions since the streak was ended with a 3-1 loss to Bristol City in mid-February has left the Saints in fourth with ground to make up.
To have any chance of doing that, Martin’s side must address an issue that has hampered them throughout the season.
Southampton must start beating fellow promotion hopefuls
After Wednesday night’s game against Preston North End was postponed due to a fire in close proximity to St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton have 11 Championship games remaining this season.
Before the end of the season, they play five of the current top ten in the league, travelling away to all of the top three as well as facing Sunderland and Middlesborough; both of whom are outside the current top ten but maintain narrow play-off hopes.
With that in mind, Southampton simply have to start beating the teams around them to secure promotion. Of the current top ten, Martin’s side have done the double over both West Brom and Cardiff City but, other that that, the Saints’ record against the top sides in the division makes for bleak reading.
Southampton have played 12 games against the current top ten and have only taken 18 points from a possible 36. When you consider that the St Mary’s club have also lost against both Sunderland and Middlesborough – the club’s in 11th and 12th and visiting St Mary’s in the run-in – it becomes clear Southampton will not get promoted unless they rectify this issue.
Had the postponed game against Preston on Wednesday night gone ahead as planned, it had the makings of a make or break week for Southampton. Given the form North End are currently in and the fact Sunderland demolished Southampton 5-0 earlier in the season, it represented an unenviable double header.
As it is, that Preston game will have to be rearranged, whilst a slot also needs to be found for the trip to Leicester given the Foxes’ FA Cup exploits meaning the original date must be changed. When these games fall could have a big impact on Southampton’s fortunes.
Should Southampton still be in the automatic play-off race come the last weekend of the season, the final day trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United could effectively be a play-off decider.