Southampton's close but not enough recent loss will hurt them many ways than one | OneFootball

Flynn Downes will miss the next two games after picking up his 10th yellow card of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace.

Ask any Southampton fan, and even the most hard-core ones might get this wrong. Where do you think the Saints have been more miserable this season, home or away?

If you have your answer prepared, be ready to get startled. Going by numbers, following the recent Crystal Palace draw, Southampton has had exactly similar fortunes being away or at home.

But, hey, if you thought home, you aren't alone for sure. In fact, given Southampton's recent St. Mary's results, this response feels obvious.

Sadly, the Saints' latest Premier League home fixture was another such night. A typical night where amidst multiple lows, a few Saints positives got overshadowed.

Here, Southampton didn't just lose 2 crucial points, being reduced to a draw, but lost an opportunity to cross Derby County's lowest point mark. Still, surprisingly, this concern seems significant only until you realize what's next.

Know what? One of the best Southampton players from the matchday, Flynn Downes, is to miss the next couple of games. Thankfully, it's not an injury or a scuffle again, but a yellow card ban this time.

Flynn Downes to miss Tottenham and Aston Villa games

As per the Daily Echo, Downes' recent booking against Palace has seen him collect 10 yellows this Premier League season. Now, having hit the 10-yellow threshold earlier than permitted, the midfielder faces a two-game suspension under FA rules.

Sounds disappointing, right? It should be for Flynn Downes' loss, who has been an unnoticed gem in Southampton's midfield this season.

But, it's not the first time Downes faces such a ban. Still, let’s not even mention what happened last time he was suspended because Chelsea handed Southampton one of their worst humiliations of the season.

Notably, that's what the Saints fear as they face Tottenham and Aston Villa next.

Hopefully, still, building up on the positives of a Palace draw, we pull off a respectable scoreline this time.