The State of Southampton: An Overview of the Club's Prospects as Football Takes a Break

Having flirted with relegation during a horrendous first half of the season, ​Southampton impressively managed to turned their fortunes around.

In October, they suffered their heaviest loss in the club's history when they were played off the park by Leicester in a humiliating 9-0 defeat at St Mary's, but in all credit to them have recovered well since.

With football currently halted around the world, here's a general overview of how well the Saints have done and what the future may hold for them. 


As It Stands

Ralph Hasenhuttl

In the last two seasons, Southampton have lived dangerously at the bottom of the Premier League, coming 17th and 16th. 

The main goal again this season was survival - right now that's going well for the south coast side as they sit healthily in 14th ​place, seven points away above the relegation zone. 

Regarding cup competitions, the Saints narrowly lost 3-2 to Tottenham in a FA Cup fourth round replay and fell victim to ​Manchester City in the Carabao Cup round of 16, losing 3-1. 


Injury Status & Potential Returns

Nathan Redmond

​Southampton's squad is almost injury-free, with the only concern being Nathan Redmond. The English winger sustained an injury in February and was due to return in April, so he's likely to be fit when football eventually resumes. 

The only player who will definitely miss their next game is summer signing Moussa Djenepo, who is suspended after picking up a straight red card in the Saints' 1-0 loss to ​Newcastle

Apart from that, Southampton should have a fully fit and ready squad by the time they are back on the pitch.


Remaining Fixtures & Season Projection

Danny Ings

If the Premier League does indeed continue once all is well, the Saints have nine games left to complete, so relegation is still a possibility. They have the firepower up front to survive, but their inconsistency has baffled many.

Just how can a team lose 9-0 to Leicester at home and then beat them 2-1 in the reverse fixture? Or pick up wins against both Tottenham and ​Chelsea in the space of a week? This makes predicting their remaining fixtures tough work.

Fixture Prediction
​Norwich (A) Win​
Arsenal (H)​ Lose​
​Watford (A) ​Draw
​Manchester City (H) ​Lose
​Everton (A) ​Lose
​Manchester United (A) Lose​
​Brighton (H) Win​
​Bournemouth (A) ​Win
​Sheffield United (H) ​Lose

Total Points Projection: 44

Projected Finish: 14th


As the Saints only have Premier League football to focus on and will most likely have every player available, it is hard to see them slipping up. There's currently a healthy gap between them and the relegation zone, so top flight football for next season should be secured.

Alex McCarthy,Matt Ritchie

Against the teams below them such as Brighton and Norwich, the Saints should have the necessary quality to take all three points and manager Ralph Hasenhüttl will not let them rest on their laurels.


Either way, it would be a big surprise if Southampton ended up in the Championship next season.


Player Contract Status

FBL-ENG-PR-SOUTHAMPTON-WOLVES

​Three players due to finish loan spells are expected to return to their parent clubs this summer. Signed from ​Tottenham in January, Kyle Walker-Peters will likely return to London and defender Kevin Danso will finish his season-long loan spell from Augsburg unless he's signed on a permanent basis.

The only player not on loan whose contract ends is 33-year-old Shane Long. The Irish striker has developed a strong partnership with Danny Ings up front so he could receive a contract extension, though his age may mean it's a short-term deal.


Summer Transfer Plans

Ralph Hasenhuttl

​It is pretty quiet on the transfer front for Southampton as they've not been heavily linked with anyone in particular, with only a couple names mentioned here and there. 

Bristol Rovers defender Alfie Kilgour has caught the eye and impressed in his maiden season at the club. The possible signing of the 21-year-old would allow Danish centre back Jannik Vestergaard - who's been linked with a move away - to leave St Mary's in the summer.

Relatively unknown right back Joakim Maehle is also being eyed up and could make a move from KRC Genk in a few months' time. The 22-year-old has impressed in the Jupiler Pro League and a transfer to England from Belgium may launch his career. 


Long Term Targets

James Ward-Prowse

Premier League survival is a must for the club and Hasenhüttl​ but they need to do more than that and start finishing in the top half of the table more regularly.


It's easy to forget that the Saints came eighth in the 2016/17 season and sixth the campaign before that. The good ol' days, right Saints fans?


A cup run would also please the fans tremendously but that may be too much to ask for, for the time being at least.


Source : 90min