Southampton

We asked you to select your Southampton player of the season from the four candidates chosen by our fan contributor.

And with the poll now closed, we can reveal the winner is... Mateus Fernandes!

Here's what Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external said about him:

There are many misses in the market in recent years, but Fernandes isn't one of them.

The 20 year-old has become an instant fan favourite with the locals for his eye-catching performances in the middle of the park.

Unfortunately, following relegation consequences, he will be one of the casualties - apparently attracting interest from Juventus.

See the final poll breakdown

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Bournemouth and Tottenham were the most physical teams in the Premier League this season when considering the distance they covered and the number of sprints performed.

The results might explain why they had a lot of injuries.

Newcastle and Brighton were not too far behind though, with Brighton actually covering the most ground in the league, with fewer sprints.

Chelsea and Liverpool's style of play saw them sprint a lot but not cover a lot of ground, while Manchester City and Arsenal were the opposite (ran a lot but didn't sprint a lot).

Nottingham Forest very much had their own style of play this season as they both ran and sprinted the least.

Manchester United are the leading contenders to sign 16-year-old Southampton defender Harley Emsden-James but face competition from Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season Rating: 1/10 - and that feels generous. It is really difficult to score anything higher. Considering we were on course to become the worst team in Premier League history, the standards were very low. We eventually surpassed that low record on 10th May with three games left. We knew it would be difficult, but even the most pessimistic of fans had never envisioned just how bad it could get.

Happy with your manager? Another difficult one to judge, because we have gone through three. All had their share of issues with team selection and/or style of play. We look forward to the tutelage of Will Still next season.

Unsung hero: Hero is a strong word for anyone at this club right now. The only two players that come near that title are Aaron Ramsdale and Mateus Fernandes. Those two are gaining all the plaudits from the fanbase. The unsung hero needs to go to the fans. The support has been incredible throughout the season still, and we continued to sell out the away allocation. It is not easy going to St Mary's with the conclusion pretty much set in stone. Still, we stay loyal.

Players you would most like to sign: The consequence of relegation means the inevitable loss of star players. The whole defence is about to be raided. Kyle Walker-Peters has confirmed his exit upon the end of his contract. Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Yuki Sugawara are most likely following him. You can add superstar keeper Aaron Ramsdale to that mix also. It is very obvious we need to rebuild and bulk the entire backline and goalkeeping core. With a youthful defence left over, it is imperative we replace with experience. Michael Keane and Ben Mee are free agents this summer. Someone of that ilk will suit me.

Right now, my overriding emotion from the season is: For a long time now we have been wanting the suffering to end. Sadly, the overriding emotion right now is relief. There is also a huge sense of belief heading into the new season. This new era is long overdue.

Do you agree with Ray's answers? Pick one or two categories and send your views

Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external

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Here's my quick assessment of Southampton's Premier League season - and a return to my August predictions.

Ended the season: 20th

Pre-season prediction: 18th

A desperate, miserable season for Saints. They were doomed early on as Russell Martin's passing strategy proved unsuitable against higher-calibre pressing opponents, while Ivan Juric's appointment as his replacement was inexplicable.

Southampton's only achievement was getting enough points to ensure they were not the Premier League's worst-ever team. A loyal support deserves better. Perhaps the Championship can provide the chance of a reset under new manager Will Still.

What I said in August: "It may be a high-risk strategy in the Premier League, as Burnley discovered last season, but Russell Martin does not appear for turning."

Read my assessments of the other 19 teams here

Marc Webber
Final Score reporter at St Mary's Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

The first day in a new job is pretty similar wherever you go.

Compulsory e-learning on data protection, find the toilets... reinvigorate a football team ravaged by the intensity of Premier League football.

OK, new Southampton manager Will Still's inbox is perhaps a little more intense than others. But the fans I spoke to after his appointment seem confident.

"I like that we've appointed someone innovative. He seems to be quite tactically astute," said one fan in the Itchen Stand pre-game.

"One of the best things this club has done lately is to get him in before the start of the season."

He has been given the gift of time. But will he keep it?

"I hope our fans give him time. There's lots to do," said one supporter who felt the 'Russell Martin Out' campaign started too early.

"I would be happy to consolidate in the Championship for a season, then make a bigger push next season," said another.

That is probably at the more extreme end of a supportive fanbase. But, Still does seem to have time on his side to prove himself on the south coast.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on their Premier League season campaign.

Here are some of your comments:

Daz: They are a joke - a laughing stock! They have brought shame to the name Southampton! Absolutely the worst team in the history of the Saints! Glad the season is finally over. A complete new team is needed.

Mike: A troubled club overseen by an apparently disengaged and disinterested owner. Nothing short of a root-and-branch overhaul of the squad will turn around our fortunes and rid us of the losing mentality. I wish Will Still luck, but I have to say I will not be renewing my season ticket because I can't stand the prospect of watching this lot again at a huge expense.

Alan: So glad the season is over. Most depressing. And to lose so many goals very late in both the first and second halves suggests a psychologist should be added to the backroom staff.

Rob: Giving successive managers the same players and expecting Premier League quality from a squad that cannot deliver that is a damning indictment of the current owners. We do not have the players to stop people scoring against us or to create & score goals at Premiership levels. It doesn't matter who you put in charge if the squad just isn't good enough.

Michael: Well, first team to lose 30 games? Appalling season and I've seen 60 of them, hopefully things will improve? I'm excited about the appointment of Will Still. Here's hoping my 61st season will be better.

Grandoite: Thank goodness it is over. Down to business: a) Identify the true Premier League quality players in the existing squad and put them in their positions; b) Decide the best back-ups ups for the starting XI and put them on the bench; c) Sell those that don't cut the mustard; d) Work out how much money they have and what they need. Buy if possible; e) Utilise the loan system to fill any gaps either within the starters or backups; f) Aim for 22 players. Add a few more from the academy when required.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's 10 final day Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea

• Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Dan George
BBC Sport at St Mary's

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton interim head coach Simon Rusk hopes incoming boss Will Still was "encouraged" by their performance against Arsenal.

The Saints lost 2-1 but were able to get back on level terms after going behind. It took a late Martin Odegaard strike from outside the box to win the game for the second-placed Gunners.

Still was announced as the new boss an hour before kick-off and was spotted watching on from the stands.

"I would have like to have thought that he saw a team that, in spite of difficult circumstances, were committed," Rusk said after the game.

"They were running for each other and wanted to have an element of dignity in terms of how the season ended. I hope that encouraged him."

Rusk took over after Southampton parted ways with Ivan Juric, his departure announced once relegation to the Championship was confirmed.

Still will step in as the new men's first-team manager and faces the task of trying to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"First of all, congratulation to Will on the appointment," Rusk added.

"I'm sure he's had to work very hard to get a job at a prestigious club such as Southampton. I haven't had chance to speak to him yet but I think it's good for everyone that we can now have some clarity.

"My focus has been on supporting the players and club in fairly unique circumstances. All along that came first and now that is done I will get some direction on what is next for me."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There was, on paper, very little to play for at St Mary's.

Relegated Southampton, meanwhile, had their fate confirmed on 6 April – the earliest relegation in Premier League history. Overtaking Derby County's record low mark of 11 points with a goalless draw against Manchester City a fortnight ago provided a rare moment of cheer in a dismal season.

But while Sunday's result made no difference to the table, for Southampton's players the match was an opportunity to impress with incoming manager Will Still watching on from the stands.

He was confirmed as Ivan Juric's successor on a three-year contract before kick-off, becoming the club's fifth permanent manager since the start of the 2022-23 season.

Still inherits a side in dire straits. Southampton picked up just 12 points this season and are on a 14-match winless run stretching back to 1 February. They also have the unwanted twin honours of the league's worst attack (26 goals) and worst defence (86 goals).

There were positive signs in this latest defeat. Southampton frequently troubled Arsenal on the break, with Kamaldeen Sulemana's pace causing the visitors plenty of problems. Youngster Jay Robinson impressed on his first start and they delivered a spirited defensive performance in the face of constant attacking pressure.

However, Still will be under no illusions about the task on his hands to restore Southampton's Premier League status at the first attempt.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton interim manager Simon Rusk, speaking to Match of the Day: "Out of the seven games I've had [as manager], there's been positives in there. We were really close to taking a point off the Premier League runners-up. We can be really proud of our overall display and hopefully that's a good platform going into next season.

"It was about supporting the players as best we can in the circumstances, some debuts in there, some good results, and it was nice for us to be competitive against such a good side today."

On his future at the club following Will Still's appointment: "I've had no information on my future. My concentration was to support the players in delivering a game plan to get something out of these games.

"It's good for everyone to have clarity on who the manager is going to be and I'm sure when the time is right, I'll get some clarity on my own future."

So the curtain has come down on a miserable Southampton season with a late home defeat by Arsenal.

The Saints surpassed Derby's record-lowest Premier League points tally of 11 by one point - but that is where the positives end for a side that went through three managers and finished bottom.

However, are positive times around the corner with the announcement of new manager Will Still who was at St Mary's today?

How are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?

Have your say on Southampton's performance and season

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Marc Webber
Final Score at St. Mary's Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

I've just spoken to some Southampton fans who are already in the ground and have heard the confirmation that Will Still will be their new manager.

Two words came up in conversation a few times, "innovative" and "patience".

Their overall happiness at the appointment comes from the feeling he has been innovative in his previous management role in France, and his tactical thinking and player acquisition skills could be a good asset.

But, some of those I spoke to are urging fellow Saints fans to be patient with him, and give him the time to rebuild and get the club back to the Premier League.

One fan said he'd be happy with a consolidation season in the Championship before going again.

That may be a minority view. But, there is a desire for him to have time and not to panic if they're not chasing for promotion from the start of next season.

Southampton's interim manager Simon Rusk makes five changes for his final match in charge.

Ross Stewart, Yukinari Sugawara, Charlie Taylor, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Jay Robinson are the new faces in the starting XI.

Southampton XI: Ramsdale (c), Downes, Stewart, Wood, Sugawara, Fernandes, Sulemana, Taylor, Ugochukwa, Welington, Robinson.

Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Aribo, Smallbone, Bree, Archer, Onuachu, Sanda, Moore.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta makes five changes to the side that beat Newcastle on Sunday, with Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling, and Ethan Nwaneri coming into the XI.

Captain Martin Odegaard is on the bench while William Saliba misses out with a hamstring injury.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Tierney, White, Partey, Martinelli, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Merino, Sterling, Rice (c), Nwaneri.

Subs: Neto, Saka, Odegaard, Trossard, Jorginho, Havertz, Henry-Francis, Kabia, Lewis-Skelly.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Still has been confirmed as Southampton's manager, penning a three-year deal having recently left his job at Lens.

The Englishman rose to fame in 2022 when he became the youngest manager in Europe's top five leagues, taking over at Reims when he was just 30 years old.

Now 32, he already has more than 100 games on his CV and arrives at St Mary's Stadium from Ligue 1 with a glowing reputation.

Here's when Football Focus met him in 2023:

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Leicester City

• Fulham v Man City

• Ipswich v West Ham

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Aston Villa

• Newcastle v Everton

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Brighton

• Wolves v Brentford - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

All kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

There will be Arsenal fans going to this game who are really jealous of Tottenham and what they have achieved this season, you can be sure of it.

Mikel Arteta's side have been miles better than Spurs, obviously, but they don't have a trophy to show for it, unlike their north London rivals, and trophies are what football is about.

It is absurd to suggest Arteta should be any under pressure though.

As for my prediction, well this one is pretty easy to call. Arsenal are without the injured William Saliba at the back, but they have got Declan Rice as their driving force and this should be a routine win for the Gunners.

Southampton held out for a draw against Manchester City in their previous home game but I expect they are still too worn out from celebrating that point to get anything here.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here