Only four teams in Premier League history have picked up just one point from their opening nine matches. That figure could soon rise to six.
By Sam McGuire
Wolves and Southampton are winless in the English top-flight this term, and both teams have picked up just a single point.
Gary O’Neil takes his side to Brighton this weekend, and that will be a struggle but the Seagulls have been a little erratic at times this term, so maybe Wolves can spring a surprise. Southampton, by comparison, make the trip up north to take on champions Manchester City. A much tougher proposition for Russell Martin and his players.
The pressure is mounting on the Southampton boss after a disappointing start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. A heavy loss against Pep Guardiola’s side might be difficult to ignore. The former Swansea City tactician is being scrutinised for his decision to stick to his playing style principles despite the fact the Saints are struggling. For now, the 38-year-old isn’t fearing the sack.
Martin was asked about his short-term future after the recent loss to Leicester City, a game in which Southampton held a 2-0 lead before losing 3-2, and replied: “No. I had a brilliant chat with Dragan [Solak, Saints owner] and the guys yesterday. We had a board meeting.
“It was planned, so you can relax. I wouldn’t give you any details if we were sitting top of the Premier League.”
Football is a results business but Martin, if queried, will point to performances. Southampton are unlucky not to have recorded a win this term. In fact, when looking at Expected Points, the Saints, per the FotMob Expected Goals table, should be on seven. They’re playing like a team that should be in a relegation fight but who, at the time of writing, would’ve done enough to be outside of the drop zone.
When looking at the underlying numbers, Southampton have been unlucky in attack. They have scored just six goals from an xG haul of 10. This underperformance is quite significant, especially over an eight-game sample size.
For added context, Martin’s team have lost by the odd goal in three of their eight matches this season. Had the opportunities they have carved out been scored, losses could have been draws and draws could have been victories. It wouldn’t be as though it wouldn’t have been deserved either.
Instead, the Saints find themselves with just six goals across their eight outings. They’ve also conceded 18.
To make matters even worse, Martin’s side have given up leads to fellow strugglers Ipswich Town and Leicester City. Southampton conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against the Tractor Boys.
It was a game that the hosts had dominated, carving out chances worth 2.49 Expected Goals while limiting the hosts to chances with an xG value of just 1.69. The Saints had four big chances to the two created by Ipswich.
Against Leicester, it was a fairly even game when looking at the Non-Penalty Expected Goals totals. The Foxes edged it 2.42 to 2.15 but Southampton were the better finishers on the day with an Expected Goals on Target haul of 2.62 to Leicester’s 2.53. Again, it was a case of bad luck rather than a bad performance.
The same thing happened in their season-opener against Newcastle United. The hosts had Fabian Schär sent off early on which no doubt impacted their game plan and tactics, but Southampton racked up 19 shots to three and finished with an Expected Goals total of 1.77. The hosts carved out chances worth just 0.25 Expected Goals. The performance should’ve resulted in a comfortable win for the Saints. Instead, they lost 1-0. If that game was replayed, Southampton, with an identical performance, would win it more often than not.
For Martin and his players this term, it feels like a case of once they manage to get over the line for a win in one game, more positive results will follow. The issue is they’re struggling to turn good performances into wins right now.
The fixture list isn’t getting any easier either. After the trip to the Etihad, Southampton face a resurgent Everton team looking to create a greater gap between themselves and the dropzone. They then travel to Molineux for a six-pointer against Wolves before hosting current league leaders Liverpool.
Martin might be under no pressure internally right now but the longer this winless streak goes on, the more likely it is his time as manager of Southampton will be cut short.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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