'We have to fight like we did today'published at 17:52 8 March
17:52 8 March
Ivan Juric managing SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images
Ivan Juric spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Southampton's defeat against Liverpool: "They reacted really well. We had really good moments of the first half. I think the [first] penalty was not a penalty and that changed the match. I am satisfied with how we played today.
"This cannot be a penalty ever. I'm sorry it happened because it was 1-1 and it changed the match a little bit. We have lots of young players who want to grow up and improve.
"We can lose but we have to fight like we fight today."
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:13 8 March
11:13 8 March
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Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Sutton's predictions: Liverpool v Southamptonpublished at 11:11 8 March
11:11 8 March
Sutton's predictions graphic
I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and I would not be surprised if Liverpool make quite a few changes.
They have got a big lead at the top of the Premier League but they still have work to do in the Champions League against Paris St-Germain next week. They got a great win in the first leg in Paris, but that tie certainly isn't over.
If Reds boss Arne Slot had a third team, he might think about using it here - but he can probably get away with playing his second team and still being too strong for Saints.
It is around 230 miles from Southampton to Liverpool, and fair play to any Saints fans who make the trip - they are absolute die-hards because they are not getting anything at Anfield.
I would be saving my petrol money, because they know they are getting beaten, same as they know they are getting relegated this season.
Joelinton scores for Newcastle against SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images
Earlier, we asked how well you remembered Southampton's opening Premier League game of the season. The match against Newcastle ended in a 1-0 defeat, with Joelinton scoring the only goal of the game.
Today's trivia challengepublished at 08:59 7 March
08:59 7 March
Southampton quiz graphic
Southampton played Newcastle in their opening Premier League game of this season - what was the final score and who found the net?
Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT
Liverpool v Southampton: Did you know?published at 08:12 7 March
08:12 7 March
Darwin Nunez scores for Liverpool against SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images
Southampton are winless in their past nine Premier League away games against Liverpool, losing their past six visits to Anfield by an aggregate score of 19-1.
There are 58 points between Liverpool (67) and Southampton (nine) coming into this match - the biggest points difference between two sides coming into a Premier League meeting since July 2020.
Gossip: Harwood-Bellis wanted by Premier League rivalspublished at 07:01 7 March
Juric on Dibling, Liverpool and his Saints futurepublished at 14:56 6 March
14:56 6 March
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Liverpool (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Juric began by saying his players are "all OK". This means midfielder Adam Lallana is fit to face his former club, while Jan Bednarek, Kyle Walker-Peters and Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu could also feature.
On rumours he will not be Southampton boss beyond the end of the season: "It's normal for every manager. When you don't get results, there are doubts. It's a normal situation and I am used to this. Like I say, I live in the moment, I think about Liverpool and not about what will happen for one year or in the future.
Juric was asked what he expects for the final 11 games of the season and said: "That we are much better than in the past two games. [It was a] really bad game against Chelsea even though we did such good things. I don't want to repeat the Brighton game - I think that is the worst game I have coached."
On how he has performed so far at St Mary's Stadium: "Not good. There are lots of situations and if I think of my job, I am not satisfied. I expected much more. We have nine points - it is the fault of everybody. It is not important to think about that. We do our best until the end of the season and we will see what happens."
Asked for his message to any Southampton fans who believe their side are already relegated: "They are great fans. I have never seen this - that we are in the bottom of the table and they support us. They are optimistic and positive and I can just say thank you to all of them."
On Tyler Dibling being linked with other clubs in the Premier League: "Dibling is a great talent, 18 years old, and we will see what is best for him when everything finishes. He will decide, of course."
On facing leaders Liverpool: "They play great football and we know that it will be a very tough game for us. We will try to do our best and we will see. Before the match, I am always optimistic and then afterwards, maybe I think differently. I always see the possibility to do something good.
A graphic showing the stats per game of Southampton managers Nathan Jones, Russell Martin and Ivan Juric. Nathan Jones - Games: 8, Goals: 0.75, Shots on target: 3.8, Goals conceded: 2, Shots on target conceded: 3.63, Possession 43% Russell Martin - Games: 16, Goals: 0.69, Shots on target: 3, Goals concded: 2.25, Shots on target conceded: 6.75 Possession 53% Ivan Juric - Games: 10, Goals: 0.8, Shots on target: 3.4, Goals conceded: 2.9, Shots on target conceded: 8.1, Possession: 48%Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
All stats are Premier League, and an average per-game.
SOT=Shots on target
What do Nathan Jones, Russell Martin and Ivan Juric all have in common?
The answer is that they all have exactly one win to their name as Premier League managers. Since they all have similarly poor records - who fares the best in some other key stats?
Nathan Jones comes out on top in three of the five performance-based stats we have looked at, and his defensive record in particular is superior to his successors. It is important to remember that Jones inherited a Southampton side who were in their 10th consecutive season in the Premier League, unlike Martin and Juric who have largely managed a Championship-level squad.
Juric's side has similar attacking stats to Jones', but the 8.1 shots on target conceded per game is alarmingly high compared to his counterparts. In fairness to Juric, he has moved the Saints to a different defensive structure and it was always going to take time for the players to adjust to his ways.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Russell Martin's side averaged the highest possession - but he still has inferior stats both offensively and defensively to his peers.
Martin also had a full year to mould the squad to his style of football before starting in the Premier League, but has failed to capitalise on this advantage. Based off these stats, it seems like dismissing Martin could have been the right decision.
Has Juric been the right man to replace Martin? His side have scored in a respectable six of his 10 Premier League matches in charge, but the defence needs some serious work.
With a full season - even if it does end up being in the Championship - for his squad to learn the ins and outs of the back three, and make some signings that are more suited to his system, perhaps it is worth a punt to keep Juric around to try and re-establish Southampton's Premier League status.
Should Saints move on from Juric?published at 12:32 5 March
12:32 5 March
Adam Blackmore BBC Radio Solent sports editor
Southampton expert view banner
A split image of Ivan Juric and Danny Rohl
In December, Southampton's top target to replace Russell Martin was Danny Rohl. It did not happen, with Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chanseri "not picking up the phone", as it was put to me at the time.
The Owls owner confirmed at a January fans' forum that he had received contact from Saints regarding Rohl's availability.
Less than three months after moving on to Ivan Juric, Saints are again being linked with Rohl. After nine defeats in 10 Premier League games, saying that Juric might not be staying and Saints remaining interested in their former first-team coach is hardly a leap of faith.
Juric deserves more credit than he will get. He has shaken up a dressing room, made players accountable, acted without ego and with humility, and taken on a job many managers would not have touched, knowing the likely outcome. And he has done all that when he could have stayed in Italy and just taken his payoff from Roma and relaxed.
But he has not improved results.
Over the past three years or so, Sport Republic's recruitment has allowed too many experienced professionals to leave and asked a lot of academy players. Jason Wilcox was not replaced as director of football. And lurching from Ralph Hasenhuttl to Nathan Jones to Ruben Selles to Martin to Juric has not helped the team or the club establish a positive identity.
However, there is now hope. Majority owner Dragan Solac has had enough and decided he needs to take control.
Chief executive Phil Parsons has aggressively driven forward off-field revenue streams and the long-term development plan for the waterside area by St Mary's is a feather in his cap. The club recognises the only way to compete and sustain in the long run is by making PSR rules work for them.
And now Johannes Spors is in situ as group technical director. If he is allowed to do his job alongside a manager - using all his experience in analysis and recruitment to improve Saints' player trading, making that manager's job easier - great.
Now all Southampton need is the next Hasenhuttl; the next manager who can squeeze every last bit out of the squad, help Saints punch above their weight sometimes, play a brand of football his players can execute, and stick around long enough to set the club on a path.
Is there anyone better than a man who worked under Hasenhuttl at Southampton and RB Leipzig, knows the club and Spors, is highly regarded - and now has plenty of Championship knowledge and experience?
If Rohl is that man, what is gained by waiting until the end of the season, rather than giving him a headstart with the squad and the chance to reacquaint himself with Spors before the summer's business?
And what is the benefit of Juric working with the sword of Damocles over his head for the next three months?
The optics of three managers in a season are not good, but it is not like Sport Republic has not been here before.
Southampton are at Liverpool this weekend, a fixture unlikely to do Juric any favours. Then, before the international break, is a home game against 17th-placed Wolves that could effectively relegate Saints.
Wednesday have got two away matches and the Sheffield derby. They could be realistically out of play-off contention by the international break.
Meanwhile, Tottenham believe they are in the driving seat to sign English midfielder Tyler Dibling, 19, who is unhappy with the new contract offered by Southampton. (Talksport), external
Has there been a worse time to be a Saints fan?published at 13:13 3 March
13:13 3 March
Ray Hunt Fan writer
Southampton fan's voice banner
Ivan Juric reacts after defeatImage source, Getty Images
With World Cup qualifiers and FA Cup fifth round and quarter-finals dominating this month, there is only room for two Premier League fixtures. This means there is only two chances for Southampton to ruin our weekends in the whole month of March.
We are sitting bottom of the table with just nine points and are destined for relegation as one of the worst teams in Premier League history. Three points are still needed from our remaining 11 fixtures to avoid that feat.
Even if we manage to make that number, we will still be in the conversation.
In my time following this club, I cannot remember feeling as dejected as I do right now. Which leads me to question, is this the worst it has been?
I remember, with no fondness, our relegation from the Championship in 2008-09 and entering the 2009-10 campaign with a 10-point deduction in League One.
At the time, it was a mess but - with new owner Markus Liebherr, new manager Alan Pardew and incoming goal-machine Rickie Lambert all entering the mix - things would surely turn around.
Without that points deduction, a fifth-place finish would have been secured. We did finish the season with a trip to Wembley and silverware in the Football League Trophy after a 4-1 win over Carlisle United.
Even though we are currently a Premier League team (just), it feels like we are in a far worse situation. A situation that could have and should have been avoided.
The wrong decisions have been made, the recruitment has been a shambles and we find ourselves nowhere near being competitive with our peers - something that could never have been said in the doldrums of the Football League.
Financially, our hands were tied but the results were still coming - and we all still had hope.
The current situation we find ourselves in is that we are heading down, with no future direction, looking set to lose our star players and making no plans to change. But financially we are in a better place.
Are Saints on course for worst Premier League season?published at 17:11 26 February
17:11 26 February
Graphic showing Southampton with the same points as Derby County after 27 games in the Rams record-breaking worst Premier League season
It is the record no team wants, but Southampton are currently contemplating the worst Premier League season.
Derby County's lowly 11 points from 38 games is the current benchmark, but with just nine from 27 so far, the Saints have the exact record as the Rams did at this stage during the 2007-08 season.
After a 4-0 defeat away at Chelsea on Tuesday night, Ivan Juric's side now have 11 games remaining to try and avoid equalling or beating Derby's record.
At least the two wins they have accrued avoids matching the East Midlands side's record for fewest victories (one) - but what other records are on the line?
With 19 goals scored and a record of 0.7 goals per game, they should avoid scoring the fewest goals as that stands at 20 by Derby in that same season and by Sheffield United in 2020-21.
If Saints maintain their average of 2.41 goals conceded per game, they should also avoid conceding the most goals in a season (104 by Sheffield United again at an average of 2.73 in 2023-24).
However, Southampton could still end the campaign with the most losses suffered. This record is shared by four teams at 29 and the Saints have tasted defeat on 22 occasions as it stands.
As the above graphic shows, Southampton do have a poorer goal difference than Derby had in 2007-08 at this stage so they are in contention to finish with the worst goal difference in a Premier League campaign - a record currently shared by the Rams and Sheffield United with -69.
With relegation looking more and more likely, avoiding witnessing a record-breaking season for the wrong reasons remains a hope for Southampton.
π§ Another defeat - but what now for Saints' defence?published at 12:02 26 February
12:02 26 February
Southampton BBC graphic
It was another defeat on the road for Southampton as Chelsea put four past Ivan Juric's side at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
On BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast, they dissect the disappointing team performance and who would line-up in the Saints defence if all options were fit.
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:04 26 February
08:04 26 February
Your views banner
Cole Palmer free kickImage source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Southampton.
Here are some of your comments:
Chelsea fans
Andy: Good performance from the whole team. Cole Palmer wasn't at his best but it was great to see the other players step up with goals and assists. Cole Palmer FC no more, but I still fully expect he will turn it on again soon - watch out Leicester! Good to see Moises Caicedo get a few minutes' rest and the young players gaining some minutes. Filip Jorgensen was also very good and it looked like a deliberate ploy to keep passing it to him to build his confidence and seems to have worked. Hopefully it is a springboard for the rest of the season.
Tim: Chelsea played with more passion and seem to have found their form again, but they still had a lot of chances that they wasted. Southampton were a good team to play after some poor results. If we can get a few key players back then we can make fourth spot. Then we need to find a new keeper and a more prolific centre-forward in the summer.
Kevin: This doesn't fool me. We did not play well, Southampton are just poor and if we do not improve quickly I cannot see us winning many more games. We simply do not create many scoring chances and we fail to put away the few we have. Frayed nerves until the end of season for us fans, I think!
Tony: Nice to get a win, but it was against a team completely out of their depth in the Premier League. It still feels as though Chelsea are happier going backwards and sideways, and are not moving the ball quickly enough. Hopefully the boys will take confidence from the win and we can start to threaten again.
Southampton fans
Paul: I can't see where our next points are coming from because of the way we are playing at this stage of the season. We sold the experienced players and brought in a group of youngsters that haven't gelled, however potentially talented they are. If we carry on selling the talent when we generate it, we're likely to drop through the leagues yet again. Depressing doesn't cover it.
Martin: Beaten before we started. That team would struggle in the Championship. With the exception of Aaron Ramsdale and Matheus Fernandes, no-one would get in any other Premier League team. Our manager also looks out of his depth.
Daniel: Sadly Ivan Juric cannot get it right either and the line-up seems wrong. Players like Will Smallbone are nowhere near this level. It looks like the players have given up any fight for him and we look completely clueless. Two of the best performances of the season came under Simon Rusk. We could give him a shot to scrape us at least three more points. It is just a dire situation for us to be in.
Matthew: We have no discernible style of play or gameplan. At least with Russell Martin there was a plan and structure, despite it not working perfectly. Then at least we had a chance that it might work, but a team with no plan has no chance. Coupled with the poor calibre of attacking players, we're doomed to keep conceding more goals and creating and fewer opportunities. Our strikers have more left feet than they do Premier League goals. Derby fans are preparing to happily brush off their embarrassing title, and soon.