The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Saints and Sinners is available now on BBC Sounds.
Tom Deacon chats with BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore about the latest news from St Mary's.
The team are also joined by former Saints goalkeeper and 1976 FA Cup winner Ian Turner, as well as Brighton fan Stephen Grant to look ahead to the game against the Seagulls this weekend.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on the things going on at Southampton that are being overlooked.
Here are some of your comments:
Dave: Watching Bournemouth and Brighton, who have both turned their clubs into very credible Premier League teams, why can't the Saints learn from them and get our club back on track?
Ray: What I'm surprised at is why no one is talking about the fact that Ivan Juric has a worse record than Nathan Jones. Jones was hounded out of the club and Juric seems to be getting a free pass. Juric's football is terrible to watch. If he's the manager next season, I won't be renewing my season ticket.
Matthew: Removing Russell Martin was a mistake. Many of the players loved him, his man-management, and they worked hard for him. His style needed tweaking, it was a pity he was too stubborn to change just a little bit, but we won't find another manager who creates as positive an atmosphere around the club as he did or plays as attractive football as he did. The results were poor, but we're quickly becoming a poisoned chalice for managers. Perhaps we should have kept him at the helm despite the inevitability of relegation and maintained the long-term vision, because the short-term attempt at fixing it has failed.
Mike: It's likely that most of our better players will leave. I'm including Dibling, Fernandes, Walker-Peters, Ramsdale and Sulemana on that list. But if Saints are going to bounce back and become an established Premier League team again, we need to keep these players and add quality elsewhere. Which means getting rid of Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Bree, Downes, Aribo, Armstrong. These are the players that have failed us. But I suspect they will linger. I'm not sure they can be relied on to get us out of the Championship again. But if they do manage it, we are just destined to repeat this horrible season again.
Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist
Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Jack [Stephens] is OK, [Adam] Lallana still not. [Taylor] Harwood-Bellis is still not and [Flynn] Downes is in training with us."
The Saints boss elaborated on Downes being available for first-team selection after being left out of the past three squads: "We had a really good chat and I think he understands the mistakes and everything. Even now, after everything, I think what I thought when I first came here, that he is a very good player and a good guy who made a mistake. But he's OK, he's fit and training very well."
On comparisons between Brighton and his Southampton side: "It's a perfect way of operating. When you are in the Premier League and you have more years, you have a greater opportunity to create great players - this is the big difference to us and [fellow promoted sides] Ipswich and Leicester."
He added: "They [Brighton] are eight years there [in the Premier League]. Every year they can buy new players, sell well and then buy more new players to create something important in the team. Even if they change their managers - from [Graham] Potter to [Roberto] De Zerbi and then now, they are still good."
On competing with Brighton: "Bournemouth isn't like Brighton but it is similar in some moments of the game. The team were fighting and when we have intensity we can compete with Brighton, Bournemouth, anybody."
When asked if having the backing of the crowd would be important against Brighton, Juric said: "At this moment, they [the fans] are perfect, more than perfect if you consider that at this moment we are bottom of the table. All that has happened and they are [still] really great."
On the reaction of supporters during their 3-1 home defeat by Bournemouth in their most recent match: "When we started to play good in the second half, the stadium was incredible. They [the fans] are pushing us. When we scored the goal it was really nice to be the coach of the team with the crowd like this."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Saints fans, you know your club best, so we want you to tell us the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at Southampton but really should be.
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton "don't need Tyler Dibling in the Championship", says BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore.
Speaking on the BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, looking ahead to the Saints' match against Brighton on Saturday, Blackmore said: "[Dibling] turned 19 this week and he is a really good talent. I spoke to him properly for the first time last week and he has a lovely, simple,19-year-old's way of looking at the game.
"I asked him: 'How have you bulked up and got more powerful?' And he said: 'Well, I haven't really. I have just played my football and I just do what I always do. I have always been able to hold defenders off.' He just sees is in a really lovely, simple and clear way.
"I don't think the club can hold on to him when they are relegated. Probably the best thing for the club is he is their most saleable asset. If you are going to save money from relegation, then honestly, you don't need Tyler Dibling in the Championship to go back up, but would you need him in the Premier League.
"I don't think it would be easy for him [in the Premier League] because he is so young, but if you can get £60m for him then you can probably keep most of the other players without worrying about the money.
"It would make sense to me to sell him. It would be gutting for the fans, but it is business. If they have to sell him but they keep Matheus Fernandes, then I would go with that all day long."
Image source, Getty ImagesHaving been unbeaten in their first seven Premier League games against Brighton (W3 D4), Southampton are now winless in their last six against the Seagulls (D3 L3).
Brighton are unbeaten in all six of their Premier League away games against Southampton (W2 D4) – they've only visited West Ham (8) more without ever losing in the competition, while Saints have only hosted Nottingham Forest (7) more often without success.
Ray Hunt
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesA 20th defeat in 25 league matches. A 10th defeat in 12 at St Mary's. We remain 10 points from safety and the latest loss - a 3-1 humbling at home to Bournemouth - meant it was the first time they have completed the double over us. More unwanted records are falling.
With relegation almost a certainty, the question is: what do we want to see for the remainder of the season? Is it merely to chase down Derby County's 11-point total, to salvage some pride, or maybe to find some minutes for frozen-out Armel Bella-Kotchap?
It is all of the above. But a more pressing concern is team selection. It is way past the time for Ivan Juric to ditch the back three, which has not been working. The midfield is full of holes that need to plugged. He appears just as inflexible as predecessor Russell Martin and seems unable to learn from previous mistakes.
Martin stuck to the same approach, no matter the opponent, and Juric continues to select players out of position to fit his style. Square pegs, round holes - though it is worth noting that the last time we played a flat back four, we were dismantled 5-0 at home by Tottenham.
The Bella-Kotchap situation continues to confuse. He was named among the substitutes for the fifth consecutive game.
He has played 27 minutes all season - at Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup - but still continues to be unused in a set-up missing key centre-backs Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Instead, Juric opts for Joe Aribo to fill that void.
We have Flynn Downes still sulking, Adam Armstrong seeking approval elsewhere, loaned-out players thriving, players being used out of position and players who deserve time sitting on the bench.
This situation is a mess - and with Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool up next, where is the next point coming from?
Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external
Chris Wise
Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThere must be more than a few envious eyes at Southampton right now glancing along the coast at Bournemouth. After all, it was less than a decade ago when Saints were competing in European football. They're now hurtling back towards the Championship, and Bournemouth are quietly preparing themselves for the continent.
The Cherries' victory at St Mary's at the weekend was the first time they'd completed a league double over Southampton, and also provided us with the final piece of evidence that there's been a changing of the guard.
Bournemouth were just a level above Saints for large portions of the game. If they'd shown some ruthlessness, the margin of victory could have been far greater.
No-one at Bournemouth is going to openly say they're genuine European contenders, but they are. They've won 10 of their last 15 games in all competitions, are freely scoring on their travels, and are just a brilliantly coached side.
Bournemouth's consistency is everything Southampton crave right now.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Southampton fans:
Freddie: It felt as if we've resolutely condemned ourselves to the Championship already. A distinct lack of quality, aside from Mateus Fernandes, makes me concerned we'll be in a League One relegation fight next season. Onwards and upwards!
Glenn: Ivan Juric used the Nathan Jones, Ruben Selles, Russell Martin tombola number picker rather than player picker. Did not play our best players in best positions! Defending abysmal and the match went pretty much as us Saints supporters predicted! The players must be pretty much devastated and depressed as I know I and many Saints fans are! Sports Republic is responsible with dire recruitment of managers and players!
James: In short, not clinical enough. I will say that the chances of Southampton staying up are slim at best. If Juric had been the manager from the start of the season, then he would've been able to form his own identity in regards to the team, then in terms of the season it might've been a different story and they could've had more of a chance of beating the drop.
Ryan: Another toothless performance. Professional display from Bournemouth but we didn't really give them too many problems to think about. Allowing the opposition to go 2-0 up early on never gives us the best platform to compete and our poor starts are just one of the things that need to be eradicated if we're to seriously bounce back next year at the first time of asking.
Bournemouth fans:
Mark: Wow, the Cherries dream of Europe continues. The spirit, the never say die attitude continues. The atmosphere was brilliant from the away fans - we all have the belief we will do this. It's no longer a dream, it's becoming a reality. Bring on European nights at the Vitality! Well done, Andoni, Bill and everyone connected to AFCB! What a time to be a Cherry.
Matt: A convincing victory over local rivals, and a welcome first double. Not too shabby for a side lacking any recognised striker. Players coming back from injury can only reinforce our European football credentials.
Simon: Brilliant to do the double over Saints for first time in our club's history. Christie was magnificent. It's great he scored one and got an assist too! Christie's shooting more recently but has been very unlucky with hitting the post. Cherries were clinical up top and did well to get a third when a short period of sloppy play in second half let an otherwise poor Saints back into the game. Important three points to keep the European football possibility alive!
Ben: The first half was all Bournemouth and we should have made even more of the chances we had. For 20 minutes in the second we seemed to take our foot off a bit and suddenly it was Southampton winning the second balls. When they scored it was a little nervy. But our third was well deserved and killed the game off - impact off the bench yet again. Being a Cherries fan at the moment is a bit of a dream.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Southampton player Jo Tessem believes the academy is not producing talent of the same quality as it used to, falling behind Bournemouth and Brighton.
Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast, Tessem said: "Southampton used to have one of the best academies in terms of producing talent - I'm not seeing that any more.
"Luke Shaw is still the last one who came out of it. [Tyler] Dibling is the next one - but it's 10 years later.
"We used to have it on a yearly basis, a new talent coming through from the academy.
"Sports Republic has also learned a lesson about what the Premier League is about. You have got to invest."
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast has landed.
Listen to Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessem discuss the increasing gap between Southampton and Bournemouth as well as the need for fundamental changes at the Saints after suffering a 3-1 defeat at home to the Cherries.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton manager Ivan Juric has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today's defeat: "They were much better first half, second half we did better. but it wasn't enough to take a point.
"The first goal we were two-v-one in the area and then we play and create and I think in the first half they were much better than us.
"When you are bottom of the table you have a lot of problems and this is one of them. Today they gave everything but it was not enough.
"We have good spirit and we scored the goal and created opportunities and played like I want my team to play, with lots of aggression and winning the duels and flair but it wasn't enough.
"It is not just mentality. It is everything. We are missing a little bit of everything. We have to believe and try to play more like the second half and we will see."
Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Bournemouth beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Saturday, the gulf in quality between the two sides was clear.
Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie struck in the first half and despite Kamaldeen Sulemana getting one back late on, the Saints were hit by a Marcus Tavernier sucker-punch.
The Cherries are dreaming of European football. Southampton are staring at the Premier League trap door.
Put simply, Bournemouth were just more clinical on the day.
Ouattara's glancing header gave Aaron Ramsdale no chance and Christie's shot had the former Cherries keeper well beaten. Tavernier's late effort similarly gave Ramsdale no chance.
Sulemana's goal was a tidy finish but such shows of quality were few and far between for a Southampton side who lack confidence.
Paul Onuachu did well to assist Sulemana but other than that, he struggled to hold the ball up against Bournemouth's defenders.
Second-half substitute Cameron Archer offered more penetration in the latter stages but even then, when he had got beyond the Cherries backline, he was denied at close range by Kepa.
Southampton's lack of cutting edge was juxtaposed by the devastating finishing on display by their south coast counterparts on Saturday afternoon.
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter 25 games of a top-flight season, only Sheffield United in 1975-76 (eight - 3 points/win) have accrued fewer points than Southampton's nine in 2024-25.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their past seven away Premier League games (W5 D2), with their 22 points won on the road in 2024-25 their joint-most in a top-flight season (also 22 in 2015-16).
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Southampton's performance
What did you make of Bournemouth's display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Leicester City v Arsenal (12:30)
Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Fulham v Nottingham Forest
Man City v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary
Southampton v Bournemouth
West Ham v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Everton (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
I'd be shocked if Bournemouth don't win this.
Even in the FA Cup against Burnley, Southampton could not give their home fans anything to cheer about. Dear me, what a depressing season this has been for them.
Saints would be better off finishing the campaign now - just packing up, shutting the ground down and looking forward to next season, or looking ahead to it, anyway - why would you be looking forward to it after such a dismal few months?
Bournemouth are well organised, have a good balance to their team and Justin Kluivert is on fire. They have quite a few injuries but you don't hear them complain do you? They just get on with it.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
Image source, Getty ImagesHow does young Southampton star Tyler Dibling react to the transfer speculation surrounding him?
"I don't really change. I don't see how people change from that. I don't really see any difference. I'm just being me," the 18-year-old told BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore.
