Southampton’s Premier League Struggles: Can Martin Turn It Around? | OneFootball

Southampton’s Struggles: Can They Escape the Trap of Their Own Making?

Southampton’s return to the Premier League has been far from the success story many hoped for. The team remains winless in their last 19 Premier League games, a streak dating back to March 2023.

Possession Without Purpose

The philosophy behind Russell Martin’s style is clear it revolves around keeping the ball and building from the back, much like Manchester City’s celebrated model. But in Southampton’s case, possession has not translated into results.

Despite boasting one of the highest possession averages in the league, at 60.2%, and an impressive pass completion rate of 86.9%, Southampton’s control of the ball has rarely led to anything threatening. In fact, before their defeat to Bournemouth, the team averaged 49 passes before even taking a shot – a staggering statistic that suggests a lack of attacking bite. Their possession numbers might look good on paper, but the passes are often short, safe, and unambitious, leaving them vulnerable to quick counterattacks.

The Bournemouth Defeat: A Case in Point

The recent 3-1 loss to Bournemouth encapsulated many of Southampton’s ongoing issues. For the first 15 minutes, there were flashes of promise, with Martin urging his full-backs to take quick throws and his goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, operating almost like a defender, helping to build play from deep. But this early optimism quickly dissipated as Bournemouth capitalised on Southampton’s naivety.

Bournemouth, with their high-pressing and forward-thinking play, thrived in the chaos that Southampton’s possession-heavy game allowed. When Marcus Tavernier took a quick free kick that caught Southampton’s midfield off-guard, it was a moment that highlighted their lack of street smarts. The ensuing goals left Southampton chasing the game, and while improvements were made in the second half, it was too late.

Photo: IMAGO

Time to Adapt?

Russell Martin’s commitment to his philosophy is admirable. The problem, however, lies in the lack of flexibility. When things go wrong, Southampton’s players often look lost, with Martin’s tactical demands seemingly weighing them down. His post-match comments reflected his frustration, pointing to the players’ tendency to go into “self-preservation mode” when setbacks occur.

This rigidity in style raises a broader question: how long can Southampton continue with this approach? In an era where results are everything, sticking to a possession-based system without the ability to adapt is beginning to look like a gamble that isn’t paying off.

The Road Ahead for Southampton

Southampton’s ownership, Sport Republic, modelled their approach on the City Football Group’s methods, focusing heavily on possession and youth development. Yet, as this season has shown, simply mirroring Manchester City’s blueprint isn’t enough. Southampton need to find a way to combine Martin’s ideals with the harsh realities of the Premier League.

If Southampton want to avoid an extended stay in the relegation zone, they must develop more pragmatism in their play. Possession is only valuable if it leads to goals, and right now, Southampton’s dominance of the ball is leading them down a path of frustration and missed opportunities. Whether Martin is willing to adapt remains to be seen, but time is running out for Southampton to turn things around.