Southampton

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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.

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Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone spoke to BBC Radio Solent after returning to action against Swansea City: "It's been a tough road. I've had great support around me and It was so nice to get the reception from the fans. It's been a long road, but a very sweet ending.

"I want to help however I can. It's been a tough time to not be able to help the team. Now I'm back, I want to have a positive 2025 and give ourselves every chance [of staying in the league]

On new manager Ivan Juric: "Being out injured and the manager changing wasn't ideal, but I've had a good few weeks of training and a good conversation with the manager. I'm looking forward to helping him, the team and the club in the next few months.

"It shows the character that he is - he's willing to take on any challenge and it's been showing when we've been working with him."

The latest episode of the Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast has landed.

Adam Blackmore and former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem discuss Sunday's FA Cup victory against Swansea, the first win of the Ivan Juric era.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Ivan Juric spoke to BBC Radio Solent after Southampton's victory against Swansea: "I am satisfied. Everybody did some good things and a lot of things are getting better. Today was important to play well and get a bit of confidence.

"There was a few really good moments - pressing and playing forward. Sometimes we had good actions, but there are moments we have to get better.

"[Tyler] Dilbing scored two goals and he can do much better. [Kamaldeen] Sulemana had a complete game with the goal and helping the team. It's a good start for Sulemana."

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Tyler Dibling (18y 330d) has been involved in more goals across all competitions this season than any other Premier League player currently aged 18 or younger, with the Southampton man scoring four goals and providing two assists this season.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Southampton's performance

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

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played over the weekend of 8 February.

• Manchester United v Leicester

• Brighton v Chelsea

• Exeter v Nottingham Forest

• Coventry v Ipswich

• Blackburn v Wolves

• Mansfield/Wigan v Fulham

• Birmingham v Newcastle

• Plymouth v Liverpool

• Everton v Bournemouth

• Aston Villa v Tottenham

• Southampton v Burnley

• Leyton Orient/Derby v Manchester City

• Doncaster v Crystal Palace

See the full draw

The FA Cup third round continues on Sunday, with several Premier League teams in action:

• Tamworth v Tottenham (12:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Manchester United - watch live on BBC One, iPlayer, the BBC Sport website & app

• Crystal Palace v Stockport - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Ipswich v Bristol Rovers

• Newcastle v Bromley - watch live on Red Button, iPlayer, the BBC Sport website & app and listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Southampton v Swansea (16:30)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 FA Cup third round games and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.

For this week's matches he is up against actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, who is a Liverpool fan.

Sutton's prediction: 3-2 after extra time

The fan at St Mary's last weekend who said Southampton would lose 5-0 to Brentford should really replace me and do these predictions.

This tie is a lot harder to call, though. You could call it the Russell Martin derby, because he managed both teams, but I am not sure either side play like they did when he was in charge.

Saints boss Ivan Juric has got to pick a strong side after what happened against the Bees, and his aim must be to find a team that starts to find some rhythm again.

I do think Southampton will edge this, because they have to, but what a miserable existence it has been for their fans this season. Maybe the FA Cup will give them something to cheer about?

Billy's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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The FA Cup third round is well under way, with Premier League sides Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa the clubs already booking their places in the fourth-round draw with wins on Thursday and Friday.

But for other sides hoping for a healthy cup run this season, when will the draw take place?

The draw will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer following the conclusion of the Arsenal v Manchester United tie, which kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday.

It will include 32 teams - with all third-round matches this weekend settled on the day - and the resulting ties will be played over the weekend commencing Saturday, 8 February.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton boss Ivan Juric has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Swansea City (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He will not use the opportunity to rest players as the cup is "really important" and they "need the joy of playing good games".

• Defender Armel Bella-Kotchap has returned to training but Juric said "we will see" when asked how soon he is available.

• On the 5-0 home defeat by Brentford: "I was really disappointed as it was a really bad game. It was not how we planned it. I was angry and the players were too as they know it is not acceptable. We have worked a lot [this week] and I have seen improvement."

• He said his squad have "worked a lot on aggression, but much more on the build-up and construction of play" in training this week. Juric added: "We are working hard and learning, but we have to find a way to be much more competitive. We've been working hard to build our identity."

• On Championship opponents Swansea: "We have watched them so we know how they play. We have prepared well to play against them because they are not easy to play against."

• He said "there are some players who might leave" in this transfer window and after speaking to the club about incomings, "they will make their moves to see what they can do".

• Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will play for the under-21s on Friday night as he continues his rehabilitation and is likely to be joined by new signing Welington.

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Swansea have lost each of their past four meetings with Southampton in all competitions, going down 5-0 on their most recent visit to St Mary's in December 2023.

Southampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 26, is being tracked by Newcastle. (Sun, external)

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

Southampton are expecting to receive cut-price bids this month for 27-year-old English full-back Kyle Walker-Peters, whose contract expires this summer. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

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It was supposed to be a fresh start under the tutelage of Ivan Juric.

A clean slate and a chance to clear out some fringe players to hopefully kickstart our survival bid.

All that has been achieved is a continuation of the Russell Martin era. The latest debacle was another 5-0 drubbing at St. Mary's to London opposition once again as Brentford matched the feat of Chelsea and Tottenham earlier this season.

The Bees came into this fixture with only two points on their travels this season. The worst away record in the league besides… you guessed it. Enter Southampton at St Mary's to turn their fortune. They sensed an opportunity and bagged five, which could - and should - have been many more. And with their injuries piling up.

The fingers continue to be pointed at Sport Republic, who purchased their 80% share back in January 2022, and in the three years since, have a huge list of bad decisions, poor appointments, and millions invested in the transfer market on a string of players that have not stepped up at this level.

Unfortunately, the damage has been done this season for whoever is selecting the line-up and trying to stamp their own style on proceedings.

The blame is not with Juric, who has inherited this bloated squad. So far this season, we have seen 35 different players (all competitions) with seven different captains. He simply does not have the time or players to put things right.

With Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United next on the agenda, it is difficult to see where any points are coming from - or even goals. If we are going to continue to lose in this manner, then we may as well have stuck with Russell Martin.

This is a new low. A soul-destroying campaign that we will all be feeling the ripples from for years to come.

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

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With their 5-0 humbling at home to Brentford on Saturday, Southampton are the worst-ever side at this stage of a Premier League season

Saints have the same points as Sunderland did 19 years ago, but a much worse goal difference of -32 compared to -23.

Ivan Juric's side currently have one point fewer than that famous Derby side that finished on just 11 points in 2007-08.

There is still a way to go, but it is looking a remarkably similar story for the three promoted sides this season as it was last season.

Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have taken just 35 points from 59 games between them – the exact same amount of points Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United had on this day last year who ended up being the worst promoted trio in PL history.

Southampton being the worst-side ever at this stage does not help, but it is uncanny how similar not just points total is, but also how similar their goal differences are to last year's trio.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: Totally disgusted. The players put no effort in at all. They should be ashamed to take any wages. The supporters pay good money to see a team give 100%. We brought in a manager who is definitely not up for the job. We should drop the whole team and bring in the boys from the academy - at least they would play with pride. I have been a supporter for over 50 years and this is by far the worst team I have seen. Shameful.

Lee: Our performances when we got relegated two seasons ago were embarrassing, but this season we have reached humiliating!

Anthony: How do you get a divorce from a football team? I no longer recognise this club. It has lost its soul and the players have deserted us. It has been going downhill since players started leaving for free at the end of their contracts. It hurts to watch.

• Not a Southampton fan? Find and follow your club here

Clive: Ghastly, but no surprise. Saints have recruited poorly for a long time. The only decent signings before this season were Aaron Ramsdale and Adam Lallana. When did we last have a decent goalscorer at this level? Joking aside, if Saints want to return to the Premier League they should start planning now for a return in 2026, with long-term planning of players and coaching staff who are up to scratch at this level.

Francesca: Dire. Sport Republic seem incapable of making a good decision. Two years ago they appointed a manager with no Premier League experience and they have not learned from that mistake. What identity is Ivan Juric trying to build? What is his remit: survival, long-term or a stop-gap? A lack of a shared strategy at the top permeates through the club and team.

Andy: What is there to say? This is probably the lowest point of my 50 years supporting the Saints. It is easy to point fingers at Sport Republic but the players need to take responsibility as well. A lot of them looked disinterested and resigned to relegation, along with the fans. It is so disappointing after last season. Let's at least not be bottom at the end of the season!

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards have branded Southampton's performance in their 5-0 thrashing by Brentford "shambolic" on Match of the Day.

The Saints, who are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table on six points, recorded just one shot on target all game.

"You can't say anything other than what you see," Murphy said. "It is horrendous attitude, discipline and application from the players - pulling out of tackles and taking poor touches - and it just continued.

"You could argue that the manager's appointment isn't ideal, for many reasons, but it was some of the mistakes that the players made.

"There were centre-backs trying to bring the ball down in their own half when there were players around them. There were just so many things to pick out, all to do with the basics of football.

"You have to have some self worth and some pride."

Richards added: "It was mistake after mistake. There was three against one at one point, in the middle of the midfield, and yet no tackle was made. Everything was just too easy for Brentford.

"You called it right, Danny - it was shambolic."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

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Former Southampton player Jo Tessem believes the players "need to take a lot of responsibility" for their recent performances, after the Saints suffered another heavy defeat and handed Brentford their first away win of the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast, Tessem spoke about where he believes the fault should lie.

"It should go on to the players, in my eyes. I think the players need to take a lot of responsibility," he said.

"In terms of the tactics and what the manager is trying to make them do, we haven't seen it working.

"Brentford were stronger, quicker and better in their tactical display. You already have everything against you and then they fell apart from the beginning.

"After the first half, it could have been 4-0. That shows that these players need to be held responsible for their own actions on the pitch.

"We have got to admit that the squad we have is not good enough. It hurts watching them. It is painful watching it.

"It shows how tough Premier League football is because Brentford absolutely murdered us. They were better in every department. You cannot get away from it."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been speaking to BBC Radio Solent following the 5-0 defeat against Brentford: "It was out of the blue really. We trained really well this week and the manager has brought a lot of positivity in. We can see the things that we are working on in training.

"If we come out and we are not as aggressive as we are in training or not as intense, then that's what happens in the Premier League.

"All the new manager is about is being aggressive and intense, so when we don't execute that in whatever way that is then we can get punished against teams like that, who want to run in behind. If you don't stick with your people, they are going to score.

"The manager said at half-time that the last 15 minutes of the first half was better. If we are aggressive and win those second balls, you give yourselves the best chance of winning the game, but we started on the back foot straight away. I'm sure the manager will address that.

"He won't be too easy on us because of these things, and he is going to be right."

On Ivan Juric's impact since coming in: "I think he is having an impact. We feel it. It's that sort of Italian mentality of being horrible to play against and defending hard, so conceding five goals is not on his agenda. That cannot happen in the way we play.

"It is on us - the characters in there - if we don't come out next week or the week after and show more of ourselves as players.

"It hurts my pride losing like that."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of the Goin' Home with Adam and Jo podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore is joined by former Southampton player Jo Tessem to mull over another heavy defeat, after falling to a 5-0 loss against Brentford at St Mary's Stadium.

They also discuss Sport Republic's first three years in charge of the club, with the Saints losing 51 of their 77 Premier League fixtures during this period.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

• Brighton 1-1 Arsenal