Are Southampton Set to Become the Premier League’s Worst Team Ever?
The situation at Southampton is looking dire. As the Premier League season reaches its midway point, the Saints find themselves anchored to the bottom of the table with a mere six points. Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace further deepened their woes.
Even Derby County’s infamously disastrous 2007-08 season, often regarded as the Premier League’s worst-ever campaign, featured a better record at this stage. Could Southampton be on course to surpass that unfortunate milestone and become the worst team in Premier League history? Let’s delve into the numbers to assess their trajectory.
What’s Behind Southampton’s Struggles?
Southampton’s return to the Premier League after a single season in the Championship has been anything but smooth. Former manager Russell Martin’s unwavering commitment to possession-based football proved problematic and led to his dismissal earlier this month. During his tenure, the team managed only one league victory.
Defensive issues have plagued the Saints, with 39 goals conceded—a figure bettered only by Wolves and Leicester. Compounding this, Southampton have committed 11 errors leading to goals, the highest in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Their problems extend to attack as well. Ranked 16th in the league for big chances created (37), they have managed to convert only 12 of those opportunities into goals—the lowest tally in the league. The lack of a prolific goalscorer is evident, with Cameron Archer, Joe Aribo, Tyler Dibling, and Adam Armstrong all tied as top scorers on just two goals each.
Could Southampton Overtake Derby County as the Worst Team?
The benchmark for futility in the Premier League remains Derby County’s 2007-08 campaign. That year, the Rams secured a record-low points tally of 11, paired with a dismal goal difference of -69. They won just a single match all season.
After 19 games, Derby had accumulated seven points—one more than Southampton have at the same stage this season. However, history offers a glimmer of hope. Sheffield United appeared destined to claim Derby’s record during the 2020-21 season when they reached the halfway point with just five points. Despite finishing bottom, the Blades rallied to end the season with 23 points, sparing Derby their record.
Are the Saints’ Relegation Fears Justified?
The statistics are ominous. In the past 122 years of English top-flight football, only five teams have had six points or fewer at this stage of the season. Unsurprisingly, all five were relegated.
Further compounding the bleak outlook, Opta’s supercomputer assigns Southampton a mere 0.7% chance of avoiding relegation. For Saints fans, the numbers do little to inspire confidence.
Can Ivan Juric Reverse Southampton’s Fortunes?
After a disastrous first half of the season, Southampton have entered a new chapter under the guidance of Croatian manager Ivan Juric. The newly appointed head coach remains optimistic about the club’s survival prospects, expressing belief in the team’s ability to achieve “something exceptional.”
Juric’s debut match, a 1-0 defeat to West Ham, showcased some encouraging signs. The Saints adopted a more direct style of play, utilising the towering presence of 6ft 7in striker Paul Onuachu. They also limited West Ham to just two shots on target—a marked improvement in defensive organisation.
However, the optimism was short-lived. In their subsequent outing against Crystal Palace, Southampton struggled to compete. Despite taking the lead, they were unable to sustain their momentum, allowing Palace to dominate and overturn the deficit.
“We have players who can compete. We are competing and we have to be much better in the details,” Juric told BBC’s Match of the Day following the defeat. “They are fighting every game. We have to believe; there is no other option.”
What Lies Ahead
While Southampton’s survival in the Premier League appears increasingly unlikely, football has a habit of producing surprises. The Saints will need to dig deep, with each remaining fixture offering a potential lifeline.
Fans can only hope that Juric’s adjustments—both tactically and mentally—can galvanise the squad to defy the odds. Whether they can claw their way to safety or succumb to relegation remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Southampton must improve significantly to avoid becoming the Premier League’s worst-ever team.