Southampton

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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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

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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."

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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

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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.

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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."

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Aston Villa, which Villa won 3-0.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans

Noel: Could have played all day and not scored. We have completely lost the ability to tackle, high press or attack at pace this season. Apart from Aaron Ramsdale and Mateus Fernandes, this whole squad need to go. Worst players I've ever seen in 60 years of support.

Steven: It was a decent performance until the double substitution involving Will Smallbone and Tyler Dibling. After that, game over. Still think if they had not been brought on we might have got something.

Colin: Tried hard but fell really short in the end. It's time to try some other players in defence to play alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Kyle Walker-Peters, in a 4-4-2 formation.

Aston Villa fans

Ian: Very solid and professional performance from the Villa once again highlighting the strength of our bench. Perhaps we should have scored more but overall job done. Some massive games coming up, but the team must be full of confidence. We should have a right go on Tuesday against PSG now, we have nothing to lose.

Cassie: A win against a team already relegated was predictable. Let's see if we can repeat it against PSG on Tuesday. Morgan Rogers was outstanding and is really starting to be noticed by bigger clubs, I can see him moving on in the summer unless Villa get Champions League football again. Ollie Watkins took his goal well and should be the penalty taker. Let's stay focused.

Dave: Brilliantly controlled game with any threat nullified by a well set-up defence and midfield. It took a while to break down a stubborn defence but once we broke through there was only one winner. Just imagine what our league position would be if we didn't spend the first half of the season with so many injuries!

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Former Saints boss Dave Merrington believes Tyler Dibbling could one day be worth £100m if his attitude is right.

Speaking on the BBC Radio Solent podcast 'Goin' Home with Adam and Dave', he said: "I like Dibbling. He's a good player. I'm not putting him in the £100m class, but he might be one day. He's got the potential. The thing that worries me about him at the moment is how he is handled, that's got to be right. His attitude has got to be right. I think he has a good attitude but I don't want him to lose it.

"He's got good feet, he's got great movement, he can wriggle, dip his shoulder, go past people. But there was a situation against Aston Villa where he had two players on the wing after he'd done brilliantly to get past two people. He had to play the ball to the right, but he kept the ball too long.

"One thing that I think needs adding to his game is the vision and being aware of when to let the ball go at the right time, but he'll learn that."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds