Southampton

Image source, Getty Images

Interim manager Simon Rusk says he is "incredibly honoured" to lead Southampton after an "arduous" journey into management.

Rusk, 43, has previously managed Stockport County and has also taken charge of England's Under-19s, as well has having taken interim charge of Saints for a spell in 2024.

Asked how he feels to be at the helm again for a spell, he told media: "Incredibly honoured.

"You've sweat blood to have these moments in your career and you remember your story. We all remember our story, the times of adversity - everyone has that, not just football people, everyone has that.

"For sure, I've had my moments of reflection - not many, I've got to say, I've been quite busy. But the moments I have been able to sit and reflect and think about the journey to get here - however it's arrived - to manage in the Premier League for this football club and have the privilege.

"It is a privilege. Even as a manager, it's a privilege if you lose a game to be the one to get to speak to your players; it's a privilege to be able to have this voice in the media here; it's a privilege to be able to share my thoughts and feelings on whether it be the good times or the bad times that I'm experiencing in the short team; it's a privilege to lead the players.

"For sure, I've had my reflections around that and every single moment that I'm able to stand there on the sideline, I do remind myself as I'm sure everyone does - the journey to get there was arduous at times and long.

"I think it's right for everyone to have those moments where they reflect upon that and I'm certainly doing that at the minute.

"But there's a job to be done and as much as I'm not here just enjoying the ride. I believe in my abilities as a coach and a manager, I believe in my track record, I believe in my experiences, and I'm finding that balance of enjoying it, but also pushing myself."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton interim boss Simon Rusk has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There were a few "knocks and niggles" after the 1-1 draw with West Ham United, but there is a "clean bill of health" going into this weekend's home game. There will be "a few decisions" to make around his starting XI and his bench, but it is a "good problem" to have.

• He will take achieving the best points-per-game ratio of any Southampton manager this season "with a pinch of salt". He explained: "The fundamental for us has been being together. We have been one group in terms of our goal and have been trying to turn that into performances on the pitch."

• His aim when taking on the interim managerial role was to "leave the team's self-esteem" better than when he found it. Therefore, he has been trying to "assess the positives" and not be "too cynical" about the club's position in the Premier League.

• Fulham will bring "a real challenge and a tough game" to St Mary's Stadium as they continue to fight for European football. He added: "We need to be spot on with out performance, and maybe need a little bit of luck, to get something out of the game. We know they have good qualities but we have to find the balance between preparing for that and focusing on our own preparation."

• When asked about the importance of finishing above Derby County's lowest-points record, he replied: "I'm not going to obsess over it. I can understand it - my head isn't in the sand - and hopefully we do take care of it, but that cannot be my main focus. It's negative energy and positive energy is what I'm going after at the minute."

• He feels "incredibly honoured" to have been given the opportunity to lead a Premier League team for the first time in his coaching career, adding: "I've had my moments of reflection - not many because I've been quite busy - but this is a privilege. Every single moment I have to stand on the sidelines, I do remind myself that the journey to get there was arduous and long."

• The club have been "up front and honest" with him about his current role and they have given him "top drawer support" day-to-day. He remains "really open-minded" and "ambitious" about his career path.

• However, he didn't know too much about the manager shortlist that has been drawn up by the club because his "focus and attention" has been on the players and staff he is currently working with.

• Rusk feels Chelsea loanee Lesley Ugochukwu has "great potential" and he is pleased to have given him more minutes in recent games. He added: "He is a young player and he has a very athletic profile. He is perhaps still finding his way in the game, in terms of regular Premier League football, but it does take time to feel it out and understand the new environment."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

We did it! One whole point.

After weeks of mounting pressure, we finally have something to smile about. A very hard-earned point on the road at West Ham and coming from behind to level the record-low tally set by Derby County.

It is a point that feels like a win. Unlike the Crystal Palace heartbreak. After recent collapses to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, we were all starting to wonder whether we would hit that 11-point target.

The new challenge is to surpass that. We have to fancy our chances in the final five games remaining.

Interim boss Simon Rusk has Saints playing with more confidence and we would certainly have been worth a lead at half-time. But once again, we could not capitalise on our chances and conceded in the opening stages of the second half.

We are all hoping this is a sign of things to come. Can we become harder to beat? Just maybe we can play with more freedom now that pressure has released. Hopefully the home form can turn around to give fans a reason to keep bums on seats.

Of our 11 points this season, six points have come away from home and a meagre five at St. Mary's Stadium. We need to energy from those travelling supporters.

There's no doubt that the point at London Stadium is something to build on and with Fulham at home this weekend, can we see us play like we're not already relegated?

Here's hoping we can see St. Mary's stay full until till the final whistle for a change. It should now be a case of how many points we can get to make sure we head into the off-season with as much momentum as possible.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling says his £100m price tag has become a bit of joke and his team-mates have been teasing him about it.

The club has reportedly put that hefty price tag on the 19-year-old because he is young and homegrown English talent.

Dibling has been linked with Newcastle and Manchester United while a host of Bundesliga clubs have also shown an interest.

"There's a few nicknames going around," said Dibling. "It is all jokes. Nobody takes it seriously. It's just a number. It's all fun.

"'Rambo' [Aaron Ramsdale] loves it to be fair. I'll miss a shot in training and he'll just go '90 million' or '80 million' as it goes down.

"It's all good fun but I'm just trying to practise every day and to get better. I just go in to train the best I can every day and work hard.

"At the end of the day, I love Southampton. I have been here since I was eight. It is such a great team and I am working to do big things with them."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Ian: Another disappointing performance after a promising display at Anfield last week. There is a complete lack of cohesion especially the midfield three. James Ward-Prowse and Carlos Soler are not good enough and this is where we need to improve next season with younger and hungrier players. I don't blame Graham Potter as these are not his players but these performances have been going on for some time under different managers and a major construction of the team is urgently required in the summer.

Chris: Too many inconsistent and underperforming players. Slack defenders, a lack of mobility in midfield, and unfit and misfiring forwards for about two years now. Can't just blame the managers. The recruitment and squad have been equally to blame.

Ken: In a poor season for West Ham, this result has got to be the most embarrassing yet. I believe Potter can do a good job next season but has got to get seven or eight players out in the summer break and try to find better replacements. There are too many players who don't have the Hammers pride.

Southampton fans

Colin: A better performance, we never gave up and were unlucky not to win. A crying need for a regular goalscorer. Let's hope we can get a few more points.

Stuart: So happy to get a point. Just wish our luck would be that little bit better. So many times we have been in the game, only for luck, and then confidence to desert us. But we left it all out there and that's all I can ask. Let's now see if we can get one more win before this season ends.

Steve: The best football Southampton have played all season is when Simon Rusk has been in charge. They could do a lot worse than giving him a permanent crack at it in the Championship next year.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's 'Goin' Home with Adam and Jo' has landed.

The boys discuss Southampton finally equalling Derby County's lowest ever Premier League points total of 11 from 2008, and earning a late point on the road at West Ham United.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In a season such as Southampton are enduring, you have to savour the moments of joy - rare and brief as they may be.

The scenes in the away end after Lesley Oguchukwu's 93rd-minute equaliser at West Ham showed that the Saints fans were doing just that.

Since relegation was confirmed, talk of them breaking Derby County's unwanted record for the fewest points in a Premier League season - 11 in 2007-08 - has grown.

Thanks to Oguchukwu, that is no longer a possibility for Southampton as they move to 11 points - with five games more to avoid even a share of the record.

Based on their performance at London Stadium, they should probably already have moved clear of it.

They defended well, went forward with purpose and created more than enough chances to win the game.

Kamaldeen Sulemana was a primary threat in the first half and hit the bar with a side-footed effort, while Tyler Dibling missed a glorious opportunity in the last 10 minutes.

It seemed as though it would be another day of disappointment but the efforts of Simon Rusk's side were eventually rewarded and Southampton can breathe a sigh of a relief at a record avoided.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton interim boss Simon Rusk, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Really pleased for the fans. Really pleased for the players as well, I think they deserved their moment at the end today.

"A nice moment of togetherness, which I think will do everyone good. In the end, it was the least we deserved out of the game.

"We were unlucky not to get in at half-time in front, we had some big moments, big chances and we're disappointed with the goal we conceded.

"But, especially with where we are at the bottom, already relegated, the second half performance is something we can be delighted about."

On coming from a goal down: "That took some mental stamina from the players, they kept that belief and discipline. It was nice for the players to get that moment at the end."

On matching Derby's record low points total: "There's a couple of things around that. I'm focussing on the positives, I think the football club needs to focus on the positives.

"We're not stupid, we know that points are important and the records but it's about not obsessing on that. Concentrate on our performance level and if we do that, I'm sure we'll take care of the points record."

Image source, Getty Images

Lesley Ugochukwu's late equaliser was his first goal in his 34th Premier League appearance (for Southampton and Chelsea). Southampton have now picked up more points away from home (6) in the Premier League this season than they have at St. Mary's (5)

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Southampton's display?

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

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Brentford v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Everton v Manchester City

• West Ham v Southampton

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:30 BST)

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Already-relegated Southampton are still trying to avoid taking one away from Derby for the lowest Premier League points tally.

They need a point from their final six games to make it to 11 points and equal the Rams' total from 2007-08, but they are not going to get it here.

West Ham are not in any danger of going down but they will still certainly not want to finish 17th, which is where they are right now.

They were decent against Liverpool last time out, and still lost, but they won't have to play as well as they did at Anfield to take three points this time.

Hammers boss Graham Potter could really do with a win, because their fans will want to finish a forgettable season with a bit of optimism, and they should have something to smile about on Saturday.

As for the loyal and long-suffering Southampton fans, well I've said before how miserable this season has been for them. I think I'd have switched to supporting Bournemouth, Brighton or even Portsmouth by now.

Being serious, I've got a lot of admiration for the travelling fans that have stuck with them through this, and I guess the consolation here is that they won't have a long journey back from London to the south coast.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton forward Jay Robinson spoke to BBC Radio Solent about his Premier League debut against Aston Villa last weekend: "It was a great feeling and I'm really happy to make my debut. I tried to do my best and show a good account of myself.

"When you get on, you feel the game is quicker but you have to get used to it. After you settle in after a few minutes, it just feels like you're playing football again. My family were really proud and it's a big step to becoming a professional footballer.

"All of the players have welcomed me. It's a really good group of lads and we try to keep a positive mindset."

On his new contract, Robinson added: "It's a really good feeling that the club want to trust and work with me."

Listen to more from Robinson on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton have lost 26 of their 32 Premier League matches this season, the most they've ever lost in a league campaign in their history. Their current loss percentage of 81% is the highest by any side in a top- flight season in history.

West Ham are 17th in the Premier League and this is the lowest position in the table they'll be heading into a game as late as this (33rd game) in a season since the final day of the 2010-11 season, when they were 20th and relegated.

Image source, Getty Images

Jay Robinson has signed a new four-year deal with Southampton, less than a week after making his Premier League debut for the Saints in a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

Robinson, 18, joined the club as a 12-year-old and made his debut for the Under-21s aged 15.

The England Under-18 international has seven goals and two assists in Premier League 2 this season.

Robinson said: "It's a big milestone, making my debut and then signing my new contract a few days later. They've had lots of conversations with me and the club trust in me. It's really good, helping me improve, I'm learning a lot."

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton interim manager Simon Rusk has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Rusk said he "trusts" youngster Jay Robinson, who made his debut against Aston Villa last weekend, and praises his cameo appearance - but he added he will not give debuts to young players for the sake of it.

• Striker Paul Onuachu is "50-50" to be involved on Saturday and will be further assessed on Friday.

• Further explaining: "With the level we're playing at in the Premier League, the speed of thought and physicality required in key moments, I don't think you can get away with carrying people who aren't quite right. So one thing is for certain if he's starting, it's because we think he's right."

• Midfielder Flynn Downes is available for selection after completing his suspension: "Flynn brings a real energy to the group and is a great professional to work with. It was frustrating not being able to have him last week, but to have him this week is a real positive for us."

• On this season: "What we have learnt this year is that on any given day in the Premier League, if you're not right at it and well prepared, is that the results can be punishing and we're not the only side to experience that this year."

• On looking forward and playing positively: "Our ambitions are that we want to put our opponents under more pressure, we want to control more of the game, play in the opponent's half and create chances."

• Rusk on playing with "super bloke" Graham Potter at Boston: "He's been a good icon for a lot of English and British coaches. He had to go overseas and do it the hard way and ended up managing at the very top."

• On West Ham: "I imagine that they will be disappointed with their league position and I also know that they have real quality to draw upon, so we're going to have to be at our best to get something out of it. We will have to deal with their collective and individual threat."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what no one is talking about at Southampton, but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Alex: Mateus Fernandes. He has been absolutely unbelievable this season, with some top European clubs set to certainly look at his services this summer. He has been the only shining light in the Saints' season.

Emil: We have only scored 23 goals! It's no wonder we are rock bottom. Che Adams was not prolific, but he had more of presence than any of our current crop of attack-minded players. Rebuild from scratch, in my opinion, promotion back to the Premier League next season is a pipe dream. The squad has been ruined by awful recruitment and a succession of flawed managers. Hearing Jack Stephens saying he will do everything he can to get promotion, forget it Jack, you are one of many who need to leave.

Ryan: People feel like our squad is going to get pulled apart now, and we will lose some of our better performing Premier League-standard players, but we also have a number of loanees returning who have the potential to boost our promotion chances next year. Edozie and Bazunu will return following time in Belgium, Shea Charles has been a shining light in a play-off pushing Sheffield Wednesday team and Ronnie Edwards is coming back from QPR with more Championship experience at centre-back. With some signings, we give ourselves a top chance at promotion with a young squad that will already boast significant playing times and match experience.

Matthew: Our Under-18s are top of their league and the Under-21s are faring well in PL2. Amidst the turmoil of the first team, hopefully there's at least a return to the academy of old that churned out future stars and prodigies. Graduates like Lallana, Walcott, Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain can be joined by O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Ballard and Bragg. Robinson making his debut at the weekend was another small positive amongst the overwhelming negatives this season has dealt Saints fans. Hopefully the return of the prestigious Southampton academy can pave the way for a return to the successes enjoyed a decade ago. This time, we just need to figure a way to repel the inevitable advances of top-six clubs to keep these players. With FFP rules in place, I don't hold out much hope for that either.

Southampton's Premier League fate has been sealed and Simon Rusk will oversee the side until the end of the season, assisted by Adam Lallana.

But is there something else that is slipping under the radar as the team prepares for next season in the Championship? What is the one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about in relation to Southampton?

Let us know your thoughts here

Manchester United are monitoring the availability of Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale amid concerns over Andre Onana's form. (Sun), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another standard week from Southampton Football Club. Another loss and another collapse to condemn us to our 26th league defeat - a 3-0 humbling at home to Aston Villa.

The search for those two more points rolls on to next week. Will we get them under new interim boss Simon Rusk? If the Villa game plan was anything to go by, then it is not looking likely.

It was clear from the off on Saturday that Rusk had set his team up to defend at all costs and scrape a 0-0, drawing conclusions that he must get these points by any means necessary. Does that ever work?

During Rusk's first stint as interim back in December, he took charge against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The set-up was a carbon copy of last weekend's. Three at the back, a four-man midfield and two strikers, but with relative success. We played out a 0-0, which in the grand scheme of things, turned out to be one of our biggest positives from this whole campaign.

Up against Villa, it failed. However, it took the Champions League quarter-finalists 73 minutes to break the deadlock. We did soak up Villa pressure for large portions of the game and faced 25 shots and heavy possession.

There is no reason to assume Rusk will switch things up for the remainder of the season and should expect more of the same at West Ham next. For a team that has conceded the most in the division and our lack of goal threat, this may get even worse.

If/when we reach that magic 12-point mark, we may see Rusk play a more exciting brand of football. Maybe the likes of newly-debuted Jay Robinson will get more minutes. But it is a very difficult situation for the interim boss. The pressure is building each game, and with Manchester City, Arsenal and a Goodison Park swansong on the agenda, games against West Ham and Leicester may be our last hopes.

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