By Nick Mabey.
Saints’ inevitable and long-awaited relegation was confirmed on 6th April after another lacklustre performance at Spurs, where our fans yet again outperformed the team. At least we went down in style, beating the record for the earliest confirmed drop (seven games remaining). Fastest relegation can be added to Saints speediest Premier League records of fastest goal (Shane Long – 7.69 seconds) and swiftest hattrick (Sadio Mane 2minutes 56 seconds). We really are a nippy club.
There’s another record for the taking too, and one that has been occupying much attention. Lowest ever Premier League points tally is not something we want to be putting in our virtual trophy cabinet. Current holders Derby managed a magnificent total of eleven points in 2008, which for most seasons since seemed unbeatable. And yet with six games left Southampton have amassed just ten. I suppose it has given everyone a focus for the last few matches and no doubt if we manage two draws or a win there will be wild celebrations at St. Mary’s. It would be very ‘Saintsy’ to lose every game and then beat Arsenal in the last match of the season.
One man not having to worry about that is Ivan Juric, who paid the price for steering our ship into the iceberg that, to be fair, was on the horizon before he arrived. I hadn’t heard of Juric before he joined us and, now he’s gone, I’m left scratching my head as to what was the purpose of his recruitment. Given we are now in search of a new manager with experience of promotion from the Championship and a clear style of play the squad (or what’s left of it) can work with, it would have been better to stick with Russell Martin, surely?
I was a fan of Martin and think we should have kept him. I listened to an hour-long interview he had with Gary Lineker recently, which confirmed my view that it was a mistake to sack him. We’re not going to bring him back, at least according to the bookies, who at the time of writing have Danny Rohl and Gary O’Neill vying for favourite status. Gary O’Neill would be a spicy choice given his Pompey roots. Whoever we get, I hope it is before the transfer window opens, so that we can build a squad for next year in the Championship.
Between now and then we have six more games, including both Man City and Arsenal at home. It’s gone a bit under the radar but I think the Northam Stand changes have been a big success and contributed to a much better atmosphere than we had any right to expect. Gallows humour has been in full flow, and the fans deserve so much more than they have received. But onward and downward we march on – “Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Coventry, Que Sera Sera.”
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