How much of a difference one season can make. Over the last few seasons, Southampton were not only playing good football but were also finishing high up in the table. They produced good managers, fantastic players and a style of football that was pleasing to the eye. Most importantly, they were looking like a regular member of England’s top flight football.
Despite finishing high up the table, by their standards, last season, their manager Claude Puel was sacked. The Saints finished 8th in the table but apparently, it was not enough for the board who sack the manager. They replaced him Mauricio Pellegrino, a man they thought was better suited and more powerful to lead the Saints into the new season.
Southampton’s season got off to the worse possible start with star players demanding to leave and the replacements not good enough to settle in fast. Their biggest concern was Liverpool’s growing interest in Virgil Van Dijk. The Dutch star handed in a transfer request but was kept at bay from making a move to Liverpool.
Southampton’s civil war with Van Dijk clearly affected the team and they were spiralling down pretty fast. The Saints were nowhere near the top and kept losing matches. After seeing many unimpressive performances and a low-morale team, the board finally choked and accepted their mistake in appointing Pellegrino and had to sack their man.
He has been replaced by Mark Hughes who has not been able to lift the sinking ship. Sunderland stand firmly in the relegation zone. They have collected 29 points from their 34 games and are 4 points off safety. They need to get wins and get them fast and steady in their last four games. Otherwise, they might be well headed for the drop to the Sky Bet Championship for next season.
Here is the team they might put out against Bournemouth in a match the Saints simply have to win to keep alive their slim chances of survival.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Defence
Alex McCarthy can be seen in goal for the Saints. Jan Bednarek can be one of the three centre-backs alongside Maya Yoshida and Wesley Hoedt.
The impressive Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares can be expected to play as the wing-backs.
Midfield
A two-man midfield axis of Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg can be expected.
Attack
James Ward-Prowse alongside Dusan Tadic can be seen as the attackers behind Shane Long.
