Owner 'ineptitude' and 'problem bigger than managers and players'published at 12:26 20 March
12:26 20 March
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Ross Stewart of Southampton receives medical treatmentImage source, Getty Images
We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Southampton.
Here are some of your replies:
Corey: People always say Russell Martin was the problem - he wasn't. Juric has managed fewer games and Martin managed more games, but we did get more points under Martin. We should have kept him on until the end of the season, and then fixed the team and staff. Sport Republic needs to sort out its manager recruitment.
William: Sport Republic's ineptitude eclipses everything else and it is still managing to fly under the radar.
Jack: Sport Republic is very quickly losing the fans' support. I will start by saying it has done a great job of increasing the atmosphere pre-game, but it doesn't treat Saints like a football club. There is no communication with the fans and do I even need to explain recruitment? Some of the decisions have been indefensible and I'm concerned about the direction the club is heading. We used to have a 10-year plan under previous ownership, but right now I see a rotting club. The problem is bigger than the managers and players.
Dave: When is Ross Stewart going to be fit? We bought him as an injured player and he has only come on the pitch twice!
Geoff: With so many players arriving and leaving in short order, they have no time to develop any loyalty or affection for the club. The Lallana, Shaw and Chambers generation has never been recreated, and every smaller club is now doing what Saints did so successfully 15 years ago or more. When diehards, such as James Ward-Prowse, choose more ambitious and better-run clubs, something major has gone wrong.
Noah: Nobody seems to be talking about the positives. There have been a few good matches this season and we have quite a bit of talent behind our players.
What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 13:22 19 March
13:22 19 March
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Southampton are doomed to relegation, with the immediate target simply being to surpass Derby County's record lowest points total in a Premier League season.
The Saints have won only one match since Ivan Juric succeeded Russell Martin in December.
But is there something else that is slipping under the radar? What is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about in relation to Southampton?
'Any hope of going down with dignity?'published at 12:34 18 March
12:34 18 March
Ray Hunt Fan writer
Southampton fan's voice banner
Ivan Juric reactsImage source, Getty Images
Saints once again failed to stop the rot and slumped to their fifth straight Premier League defeat and ninth consecutive at St. Mary's.
In doing so, they become only the fourth team in top-flight history with that embarrassing record.
After a bold performance at Anfield playing four at the back, Ivan Juric, again tinkered with squad selection and reverted to a back five which included three full-backs, no recognised striker and Albert Gronbaek, once again, keeping warm on the bench.
All the positives from the previous fixture were seemingly ignored, at home to Wolves, who themselves aren't yet secure, and without top marksman Matheus Cunha. It feels like a huge chance has gone by.
Bizarre team selections are the norm these days. For a team who only have 21 goals to their credit, to leave focal points like Paul Onuachu and Cameron Archer on the bench to deploy five at the back is ludicrous. The team are beat before a ball has been kicked.
In-game tactics also proved peculiar. Onuachu came on at the break for Mateus Fernandes to a chorus of boos around St. Mary's. We also saw centre-half Jack Stephens try his hand upfront in the final stages. It's hard to know what Juric will do next.
The team, as a whole, didn't play too badly in parts. We've seen far worse recently. Chances were being created and Onuachu gave us hope, fifteen minutes from time when he halved the deficit. However, the fault lies with Juric for his team selection and bad tactics.
Is there any hope of going down with dignity?
We remain 18 points from safety with only nine games to play. The only solace right now is we have a fortnight off from this mess.
Martin: A broken manager inherited a broken club with broken-spirited players, then starts a winnable game with three full-backs and no strikers, then takes off the most creative player on the pitch at half time. How was it going to end any differently?
Ryan: Far too easy to play through. Wolves didn't really have to turn up to walk away with the three points and that's what hurts the most. Really hard to see where the next points will come from.
Mike: Started well but conceded two soft goals. No presence in the box and sloppy defending again. 'Not fit to wear the shirt' was the home fans' chant and how many of this lot will still be at St Mary's in the Championship?
Glenn: Absolutely horrible. This was our last chance to get over 11 points. We need to clear the squad and spend two seasons in the Championship rebuilding confidence, team spirit and relationship between the club and supporters.
Wolves fans
George: Wolves played a good game up to their second goal. They then became wasteful in attack and somewhat jittery in defence. From the moment the Saints scored their goal, victory was precarious.
Nathan: Southampton played better but couldn't win. Wolves played poorly and did win! An ugly win but it's all about points and staying up so a good day. One step closer to Premier League survival!
Nick: Great result from the lads but we made it hard for ourselves in the end. That nine point gap is massive. Cunha back in soon so surely we will stay up now.
Ken: Salvaged the season with this win, and did it without Cunha. Safe now but how about some more ambition for the future with some money to spend without selling our best players for a change.
'Such a sorry state of affairs at Southampton'published at 09:56 17 March
09:56 17 March
Chris Wise Final Score reporter at St Mary's Stadium
Lesley Ugochukwu and Armel Bella-Kotchap of Southampton look dejectedImage source, Getty Images
It is such a sorry state of affairs at Southampton.
In many ways, this impending relegation is going to be far worse than when they exited the Premier League two seasons ago.
And it is not just because there is that growing prospect of Saints ending with a record low points tally.
The squad had the likes of James Ward-Prowse in it two years ago. Someone who had a long-lasting affiliation with the team and was a natural leader. This current team appears to be lacking the same sort of characters.
There are some that should be exempt from criticism. Matheus Fernandes has been one of the standout performers. Ivan Juric took him off at half-time against Wolves, and the negative response from the Southampton fans was audible. It summed up the situation.
There is a growing disconnect between the supporters and the club, and that's something Saints need to address this summer. But clearly, it is one of many problems.
π§ Is it a good time to change manager?published at 09:00 17 March
09:00 17 March
Southampton BBC graphic
The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast is available.
Adam Blackmore and former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem discuss the future of Ivan Juric after a ninth consecutive home defeat against Wolves.
'Another game that suggests we are not ready to take points'published at 18:27 15 March
18:27 15 March
Ivan JuricImage source, Getty Images
Southampton manager Ivan Juric, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we did really well in the first 20 minutes. The first time Wolves got too close to our area, we conceded.
"Today was another game that suggests we are not ready to take points. [The second goal] was an easy situation to read. There's always something missing.
"The will to play well and to attack is there. The lads want to win the game and do their best. There are moments when we're not good enough, and that's it.
"We will go down, but [we want to go down] with more fight, more dignity and more everything."
Southampton 1-2 Wolves: Saints rally comes too latepublished at 18:10 15 March
18:10 15 March
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Ivan Juric gestures to his players during Southampton's Premier League match against Wolverhampton WanderersImage source, Getty Images
Southampton started well and finished well against Wolves - but there was precious little for Saints fans to shout about during the rest of the game as the hosts became only the fourth side in English top-flight history to lose nine consecutive home games in the same season.
Aaron Ramsdale was beaten far too easily for Wolves opener, letting Jorgen Strand Larsen's header bounce into the net despite appearing to have enough time to get at least one hand to the ball.
The second goal was worse from a Saints perspective as Strand Larsen took advantage of the hosts' retreating defence to steer a low shot into the bottom corner - via a deflection off Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Strand Larsen's second goal prompted many Southampton fans to make for the exits, but the home side rallied and Paul Onuachu's goal offered Ivan Juric's team a glimmer of hope with a quarter of an hour remaining.
But they failed to complete the comeback and the full-time whistle was met by loud boos from the home supporters, who will surely be watching their team in the Championship next season.
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Southampton 1-2 Wolves - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:57 15 March
Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 13:36 15 March
13:36 15 March
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Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Sutton's predictions: Southampton v Wolvespublished at 13:02 15 March
13:02 15 March
Sutton's predictions graphic
Southampton surprised me last week against Liverpool - they lost but they played well and they showed they have got a goal in them, and a bit of fight.
So, this is not a gimme for Wolves - but even with Matheus Cunha suspended, they will see this game as an opportunity to put more space between them and the bottom three.
Vitor Pereira's side are already six points clear of Ipswich and Leicester and, if they can win at St Mary's and those two teams both lose this weekend, you would start to think that the bottom three is done and dusted.
Juric on Bednarek, surviving 'tough moment' and Wolvespublished at 14:32 14 March
14:32 14 March
Tyrese King BBC Sport journalist
Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at St Mary's (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Jan Bednarek after the defender was forced off in the defeat at Liverpool following a clash of heads: "He hasn't recovered as quickly as I hoped because you have to follow protocol. He still felt pain on Tuesday. In England, it's a lot more strict."
Juric revealed Saints will also be without midfielder Will Smallbone, who has a groin injury.
On goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale: "He's a great goalkeeper and he's really positive in the bad moments. I like him as a goalkeeper and as a person."
Juric said he and Southampton are in a "really tough moment", the like of which he has not experienced during his career before, but he added: "What is important is to work with the guys to improve and get better."
On the importance of fan support: "Like I always say, they are the best fans in the world. They are incredible. They are the best part of the club because they are always there supporting us, even in Liverpool before and after the game. For me, they are really special."
On Wolves: "They have a lot of good players who play at a high level. They have done well these past couple of months, and I know that it will be tough because they are good in attack, fast in defence and technical in the middle. We are preparing well and we want a good game."
On whether Wolves are safe from relegation: "No, I don't think so. I think there are six points between Wolves, Ipswich and Leicester so they're not still safe. And I think they will be a little bit more unsafe after this match."
Southampton v Wolves: Did you know?published at 10:02 14 March
10:02 14 March
Matheus Cunha scores for Wolves against SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images
Wolves have won each of their past six Premier League games against Southampton. It is their longest winning run against an opponent in the competition and their longest in top-flight games overall since between 1974 and 2018 against Burnley (seven).
Southampton have lost each of their past eight home games in the Premier League by an aggregate score of 29-5. In English top-flight history, only three sides have ever lost nine or more in a row at home within a single season: Birmingham in 1985-86 (10), Wolves in 2011-12 (nine) and Watford in 2021-22 (11).
π§ 'Punctuated moments of happiness' at Anfieldpublished at 08:03 14 March
08:03 14 March
Southampton BBC graphic
The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints and Sinners podcast has landed.
Host Tom Deacon is joined by former Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones, comedian Paul McCaffrey and reporter Adam Blackmore to comb over all the news at Southampton.
Spors 'exudes a quiet confidence'published at 09:44 13 March
09:44 13 March
Adam Blackmore BBC Radio Solent sports editor
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Johannes SporsImage source, Getty Images
When Johannes Spors was finally appointed in February, the indications from the club were that there had been a long notice period to work through before announcing him. So I wonder whether Spors quite envisaged the freefall back to the Championship that he has now taken on.
When I asked him about why he had taken the job with Saints owners Sport Republic, he talked about the Premier League being an attraction. Well, he has got some work to do now to enjoy that attraction beyond May!
The 42-year-old German was engaging and his poise left me with a sense of trust - my first impressions are that he has faith in his own ability, built up from the successes he has enjoyed with Red Bull and 777 Sports. He also exuded a quiet confidence.
If I were owner Dragan Solak, I would give him clear leadership on recruitment because Spors did confirm that he is happy to take full responsibility for recruitment at the club.
There will be a sizeable number of Southampton fans though, who will be concerned that co-owner Rasmus Ankersen could still cut across Spors' brief and make transfer decisions. I do not think Spors needs any help on that front - and I hope Dragan gives him autonomy to make decisions alongside himself and Ivan Juric.
Talking of managers, Spors' business is knowing who is who in football and keeping across players and coaches. He was well aware of Ivan Juric's successes in Italy and he stayed as neutral as you would expect about his future at the club.
And although he could have totally ignored my question about possibly linking back up with Danny Rohl in the summer, Spors was quick to talk about how he has been tracking Rohl's progress since they went their separate ways after RB Leipzig.
I like that he did not deny any interest in Rohl or just point-blank refuse to say anything.
That poise and quiet confidence came out as he made sure we knew that he is in possession of all the information he needs to make the right decision.
'Great vision behind this project' - Sporspublished at 09:36 13 March
09:36 13 March
A general view inside St Mary'sImage source, Getty Images
Southampton technical director Johannes Spors is committed to "taking responsibility and taking decisions" in his new role overseeing football at St Mary's Stadium.
Spors is experienced in European football, having held similar leadership roles at RB Leipzig, Vitesse Arnhem and Genoa and succeeds Jason Wilcox who left for Manchester United in April 2024.
"There is a great vision behind this project and the football club," he told BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore. "I am here to execute and make sure we have a good structure in communication from one department to another and have a clear structure of who is doing what with clear responsibilities.
"That is the priority in the beginning - to make sure we have a setup that has a punch for the future.
"I'm here to help with every decision in the football [side of the club] and ultimately they are my responsibility. Scouting and recruitment of course are very relevant and they are some of my very first priorities."
Spors was keen to stress the importance of synergy across departments within the club but acknowledged key decisions on the football side of the club will fall to him.
"I am here to take responsibility and take decisions," he said. "The way I work and lead is in a very integrated model.
"I have been fortunate to work in many different cultures and every culture has a different way to come to decision-making. My experience is that we need a clear responsibility under my umbrella.
"I make sure that every internal stakeholder is very close to me, is heard, and can have an opinion. That includes the manager, the scouting, the recruitment, our CEO and the ownership.
"I include everyone who has a say in this football club and then ultimately it's my responsibility."
π§ Spors gives first interviewpublished at 18:57 12 March
18:57 12 March
Johannes SporsImage source, Getty Images
New Southampton technical director Johannes Spors has sat down with BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore for his first interview since arriving at St Mary's Stadium.
In it, he discusses his new role, Saints' manager situation, recruitment and the future of the club.
