Southampton

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton's fighting finish was admirable.

It followed a promising performance in defeat by Manchester United on Thursday, meaning those looking for positives will see a side still battling despite a bleak situation.

They continue to make errors leading to goals, however - a trait they must stop if they are to have any chances of staying up.

Jan Bednarek's loss of possession, which gifted Callum Hudson-Odoi the chance to score Forest's second, was the 17th time a Southampton mistake has led to a goal this season.

Aston Villa are the next most generous team with 10 such errors.

Manager Ivan Juric correctly said the Saints are struggling to play well for a full 90 minutes.

Identifying that issue is the easy part, finding the solution less so.

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Southampton manager Ivan Juric has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today's loss: "In the first half, we were not competitive and that is what happened. We played with heart and intensity and we scored. That is how we have to score.

"I didn't speak with them (at half-time). We are a competitive team but if we are down 10% then we are not competitive. I hope a first half like today never happens again. They score the first two goals, that is ridiculous.

"Second half we fight and score twice. Aina saved another one. At Manchester United for 80 minutes, in the second half today, we were good. We are not ready for 90 minutes and that is a real pity."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Southampton's display?

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

There are four Premier League fixtures on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action.

• Everton v Tottenham

• Man Utd v Brighton - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Southampton

• Ipswich v Manchester City (16:30) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Southampton put up a decent fight against Manchester United but Tyler Dibling went off with an ankle injury in the second half and if he is missing here then that is a massive blow.

Let's face it, it is going to be hard for Saints even if Dibling does play. Forest are playing so well and Chris Wood keeps on scoring, so this should be a routine home win for them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Southampton boss Ivan Juric is not backing down from Saints' latest daunting away trip as he contemplates a visit to high-flying Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

His side were unfortunate to lose at Manchester United on Thursday where they conceded three goals in the final 12 minutes.

Despite the result, Juric said he liked what he saw in terms of "personality, press, movement of the ball and build-up play" but "the bad things were in the last 15 minutes and how we managed the game."

It means Southampton remain bottom of the Premier League with just six points from 21 games.

Their season is a stark contrast to Sunday's opponents Forest, who are exceeding expectations and sitting firm in third.

"They are doing really well," added Juric. "They play really simple but really well.

"Yes, I am surprised [by their league position]. We will be ready."

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Former Southampton player Jo Tessem believes Tyler Dibling "looks absolute class" and "should have had a goal" at Old Trafford on Thursday as the Saints slipped to a damaging defeat against Manchester United.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home with Adam and Jo podcast, Tessem said the teenager was impressive once again on the big stage.

"When he turns and gets into the right area, oh boy is he good," Tessem said. "There are times when he loses the ball a bit too easily and there are other times when he looks absolute class.

"He maybe should have had a goal as well, but we are positive, we are shooting and we are creating chances."

Tessem was also impressed by winger Kamaldeen Sulemana who was a constant threat to the United backline.

"Kamaldeen Sulemana obviously has a manager now who believes in him and is making him better," Tessem said. "He's been given the licence to be who he is, which has changed him. With playing, he also gets fitter.

"He should knock it and run every time he gets the ball because of his pace. He was absolutely fantastic.

"He should have had a goal though."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

United fans

Sean: Amad Diallo just saved us from embarrassment. We didn't deserve the win but individual brilliance has got us over the line.

Steve: Let's credit Southampton first but for United, it's a win. Yes, it was terrible for 80 minutes of the game, but we are trying to compete with players that are tactically inept. Let's just get through this season and the real work starts in the summer, when I would imagine not many will survive the cull. Credit to Joshua Zirkzee for his impact by the way.

Nigel: Poor performance again, no creativity or threat for most of the game until Amad came alive. I feel sorry for Ruben Amorim - Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs to support him big time in the summer if we are to try and compete again. It's going to take time and I hope that Ruben sticks with it.

Rahim: Very poor performance overall masked by a wonderful player. Thought Zirkzee made a significant contribution when he came on. Southampton can consider themselves unfortunate not to have been out of sight by half-time.

Saints fans

Alan: Saints played their best football this season, but just couldn't score a second. They should take heart from this display. Some great performances.

David: I'm gutted. Saints were so much better than we have been all season and should have had a couple in the first half. Kamaldeen Sulemana had a cracking game but the lack of a good bench cost us. Will Smallbone was poor when he was on, Kyle Walker-Peters was tiring at the end and Diallo sensed it. Just when our luck nearly changed. We'll go down but this performance gives hope.

Simon: We lost, as expected ,but that was such an improved display. I know we had chances - we've had them all season - but across the whole team, we were much sharper.

David: A fantastic performance from Saints until Mateus Fernandes was taken off. We have no threat coming off the bench. Hopefully during the transfer window, we will get another attacking player in. Sulemana was outstanding.

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

Adam Blackmore and Jo Tessem discuss Thursday's loss to Manchester United and what Ivan Juric has changed in his short time at the club.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton boss Ivan Juric, speaking to BBC Sport: "We did really good for 75-80 minutes. But we missed the mentality to win the game. There is a moment where you have to be clever and be more malicious to do certain things. We were like innocent kids in some moments and we lost the game that we controlled for 75 minutes.

On whether his players buckled under pressure: "We don't have a lot of pressure. We have six points and are last on the table. It's part of the group. We have to be more competitive in crucial moments of the game.

"We had some really good chances in the first half and we had to score more. We began the second half very well and Kamaldeen Sulemana had a chance and others as well. We only scored once and that was not enough.

"The guys are working well. But we need to work a little more hard to maintain the intensity. I want to see the same spirit in the next game.

"Tonight, I am angry. But from tomorrow, we have to start thinking about Nottingham Forest. The players have to be conscious that they can compete and play well. Our idea is to improve every game."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Man Utd's performance

What did you make of Southampton's display?

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

There are two Premier League fixtures on Thursday and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Brighton (19:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Southampton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Follow all the action and reaction here

I have a lot of admiration for Manchester United's performance in their FA Cup win against Arsenal, especially to grind it out with 10 men for an hour after Diogo Dalot was sent off.

But these next three games, at home against Southampton, Brighton and then Rangers, are a very different test for them compared to their trips to Emirates Stadium and Anfield in the past week.

I do not want to devalue what United did against Arsenal or Liverpool but they were games where the expectation was not on them to get results.

We know United are good on the counter-attack away from home, but against Saints at Old Trafford the onus is on them to take the game to the opposition.

That is exactly where they have been struggling recently and, like I said on 606 on Sunday night, it would be just like Manchester United to be flat, find things difficult, and drop more points.

Southampton under Ivan Juric are very different to the way they played under previous boss Russell Martin because most of the time they just lump it forward now, and they are far more direct.

Saints may come into this game with a bit of confidence after beating Championship side Swansea in the FA Cup, ending a run of 12 games without a victory that went back to the start of November.

I still think United will find a way to win, but I am not so sure it will be a completely routine one.

I loved the way they defended against Arsenal and I thought it was quite pointed from Ruben Amorim when he came out afterwards and talked about that desire aspect.

He was speaking about traits which you would hope were pretty basic traits for any team to have - that ability to fight and scrap for a result.

United have shown they can do that part. Now they have to show their quality too.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Manchester United are unbeaten in their past 15 Premier League games against Southampton since a 1-0 home loss in January 2016.

Saints lost 13 of their first 14 Premier League away games against United but have since lost on just three of their past 10 league visits to Old Trafford.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game at Manchester United (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Flynn Downes returned to training on Tuesday but a decision on whether he can be involved is yet to be made.

• Juric confirmed there are no new injury concerns and "everyone is fit and OK".

• On the change of chairman this week: "They informed me about this change and that is it. For me, it doesn't change anything - I just keep working."

• He said the win over Swansea in the FA Cup has given his players "a little bit of confidence" before facing Manchester United.

• On Ruben Amorim's side: "They have changed their manager and style of play to how Amorim played at Sporting. We will try. We will have chances so I'm optimistic. They have trained well this week."

• He said Tyler Dibling is "better when he plays further forward because he doesn't have to do much defensive work", so playing as a striker is "working well for him for now".

• Juric added that Dibling "needs to play to get better and improve" and staying at Southampton is "absolutely" the best thing for him.

• On Kyle Walker-Peters, whose contract expires in the summer: "I don't want him to leave as he's a very good player. I will be happy for him to stay."

• In response to whether the fitness level has improved since his arrival: "Within the games and training, they are starting to do the things I want them to do. They are training with intensity and aggressiveness, which can then be transferred into matches."

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

Listen to live commentary of Man Utd v Southampton on BBC Radio 5 Live at 20:00

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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Finally, we have something to celebrate. A win. A comprehensive win and a clean sheet over Championship side Swansea City in the FA Cup third round, giving Ivan Juric his first victory in charge.

Kamaldeen Sulemana scored his first goal in 37 games, and Tyler Dibling continued his rise with a double to seal progression into round four. Burnley await - and that will be another solid test of our level.

To call this season troublesome would be a massive understatement. Premier League struggles have been evident with the club rooted to the foot of the table with one win from 20. That win, the last win, coming back on 2 November.

One thing you can say about Saints is their cup form always seems more positive.

An FA Cup semi-final in 2021, a run to quarter-finals in 2022 and a fifth-round exit in 2023 show our credentials in the competition, despite our league woes.

Even in Nathan Jones' ill-fated 2022-23 campaign we managed a semi-final appearance in the Carabao Cup, beating Manchester City en route.

It does seem clear there is a huge chasm between the top two tiers, so we should not get carried away with one victory, especially given our dire straits in the league.

We face a challenging week on the road. A trip to Manchester United on Thursday, then on to The City Ground to face a red-hot Nottingham Forest side sitting just six points off the top.

What will this cup win do for our preparations? Well, let's enjoy it. It is a morale boost that will do us the world of good; a much-needed pick-up around Staplewood on Monday.

And with that, belief. How will we react? I, for one, am feeling more positive about the week ahead.

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

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Southampton chairman Henrik Kraft has stepped down, with majority shareholder of owners Sport Republic Dragan Solak taking on the role, the club has announced.

Kraft will remain a shareholder and on the board of Sport Republic.

On the change, Solak said: "I would like to thank Henrik for the dedication and passion he has invested in his role.

"While I am pleased with many aspects of the club's management, I am deeply disappointed with the football results this season. We will be strengthening our football management team in the near future, and we will share details of that as soon as things are confirmed.

"Our aim at the start of the season was to stay in the Premier League, and I know our fans share in my frustration at how this season has gone so far.

"I ask everyone to continue supporting the club with as much passion and dedication as they have shown all season as we navigate the rest of the season together."

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's FA Cup game between Southampton and Swansea City.

Here are some of your comments:

Noah: I was at the game my self and it was the best performance all season. A well deserved win and we were on top all game.

Julia: A good all-round comprehensive performance which was much needed after the disaster of last weekend. Let's hope we can take some of this momentum into the next few league games.

Shawn: It was good to see more shape and fight. Not sure we could take this as valid game for Kamaldeen Sulemana due to the opposition. Builds confidence though - hope we can build on this as we go to Manchester United.

Mark: Cannot see why there should be any positives taken from this result. The only thing it might prove is that we should do reasonably well in the Championship next season. Swansea were so far below any team we will face in the Premier League it was embarrassing. Nothing to celebrate!

Jim: I was at St Mary's and thought Saints showed much more positive, direct play, moving the ball at a higher tempo than in previous games. I know this was a weakened Swansea side, but the result was important, as was the clean sheet. Hopefully we now have a platform to build on.