Southampton

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  1. Ask our pundit - send in your questionspublished at 12:29 18 November

    BBC Sport columnist Nedum Onuoha

    BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

    But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

    So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

    Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

    Send in your questions, external

  2. 'What dreams are made of'published at 07:42 18 November

    Taylor Harwood-Bellis celebrates scoring Image source, Getty Images

    Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has described a "magical" night after scoring on his senior England debut against Republic of Ireland.

    "It is every young kid's dream to make their debut for England, but to get a goal was magical," the 22-year-old said.

    "I was given a few hints on Saturday that I would be needed at some point so I was just getting myself ready for that, but you also don’t believe it until it happens. When I got the nod to come on, I was over the moon.

    "I fancied myself in the box as I like scoring headers.

    "They have always spoken about how there is a pathway [from under-21s to first team], even when Gareth Southgate was in charge. We know the door is open if we take our chances

    "Playing for my country at every level is something I take great pride in. To play for the seniors is what dreams are made of. It is the pinnacle of football."

    For more England reaction listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

  3. 'Difficult' decisions with 'pressure' on injured playerspublished at 10:00 16 November

    Fara Williams, BBC Sport columnist banner
    Harry Kane speaks to the media at an England news conferenceImage source, Getty Images

    There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

    But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

    It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

    But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

    From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

    I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

    It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

    Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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  4. 🎧 Richard Osman as next Match of the Day host?published at 08:20 14 November

    Southampton BBC graphic

    The latest episode of Saints and Sinners podcast has landed.

    Tom Deacon is joined by Taskmaster host and Liverpool fan Alex Horne to look forward to Southampton's return to Premier League action against the Reds and discuss his position on the board at Chesham United.

    BBC Radio Solent's sports editor Adam Blackmore also joins the podcast to discuss Russell Martin's future at St Mary's and who should be the next Match of the Day presenter.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

    Listen on BBC Sounds banner
  5. Southampton Q&A: Submit a question for Adam Blackmorepublished at 17:21 13 November

    Have your say banner
    Southampton players celebrate scoring a goalImage source, Getty Images

    Is there something that you want to ask about Southampton?

    BBC Radio Solent sports editor Adam Blackmore is ready to answer your questions for a special Q&A on Monday.

    Submit your question here, external and come back at the start of next week for a selection of replies

  6. 'I didn't believe it at first' - Harwood-Bellis on England call-uppublished at 17:10 12 November

    Taylor Harwood-Bellis speaks at a news conferenceImage source, PA Media

    Taylor Harwood-Bellis has spoken of the surprise he felt when he found out he had been named in the England senior squad for the first time last week.

    The Southampton centre-back, 22, has been called up for the Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

    Harwood-Bellis said: "Lee Carsley rang me in the morning and said, 'you'll be with us, with the seniors'. I didn't quite believe it at first. My partner was next to me and I phoned my dad, who was very proud. He loves when I play for England, even the younger age groups.

    "One of the first people to message me was Aaron Ramsdale. I was happy to see his name as he's one of my mates at the club."

    The two upcoming matches will signal the end of Carsley's spell as interim boss, with Thomas Tuchel set to take control of England in the new year.

    The former Manchester City defender added: "It will be a big motivation for all of the lads, knowing that there's a new manager coming in and wanting to keep your spot - that's something that especially the younger lads will be pushing towards.

    "It's going to be difficult because of the quality and experience in some of the lads that aren't here is massive.

    "It'll be difficult but it'll be something that I'll focus on week in and week out for Southampton and if I get minutes here."

  7. 'Officials didn't get it right - neither did Saints'published at 12:29 12 November

    Ray Hunt
    Fan writer

    Southampton fan's voice banner
    Rusell Martin talks to the referees after defeat against WolvesImage source, Getty Images

    What a difference a week makes.

    Two wins in a row, a clean sheet, off the bottom, and Adam Armstrong back among the goals. Flash forward seven days and the hysteria from the Everton win is well and truly forgotten.

    We had the luck last weekend with the decisions, but I guess, that's our lot. Once again, we find the main talking point from Saturday's defeat at Wolves is VAR.

    Ryan Manning's leveller was cancelled out by a needless VAR check on an incident that was not clear and obvious. Matheus Fernandes was found to have impeded Nelson Semedo in an off-ball collision. If anything, it looked more of a foul the other way. A goal at that point could have altered the path of the game, but instead gave the hosts an added boost.

    Then, two clear infringements in the build-up to Wolves’ second goal went ignored. The decisions last week were correct. This week, they were farcical and have left us all confused and angry.

    Mike Dean weighed in with his thoughts: "They should have stuck with their on-field decision in my view. I don’t think it was a foul. I don’t think it should have been overturned."

    Is it high time we had officials conducting post-match interviews to explain their actions and the need to challenge the on-field decisions? For all the good that will do.

    In truth, Saints never deserved to get anything from the match. Seventy one per cent possession but failing to register a single shot on target has been symptomatic of our season. If we cannot get it right - and the officials cannot either - then what hope do we have?

    We can rue our luck, but at some point, it falls on us. We are still searching for our first point on the road and now I find myself fixture-watching in early November and am very concerned with the run following the final international break of the calendar year.

    Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Spurs. Strap yourselves in, Saints fans.

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

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  8. Opta supercomputer predicts trouble for promoted sidespublished at 19:30 11 November

    Graphic showing Opta supercomputer chances of Premier League relegation: Southampton 94.9%, Ipswich Town 70.7%, Leicester City 46.9%, Wolves 44.4%, Everton 18.8%, Crystal Palace 18.3%Image source, BBC Sport

    Opta's supercomputer has tipped promoted Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City as the three most likely teams to get relegated from the Premier League this season.

    Southampton are bottom and winless after 10 games since returning to the top flight, with the computer giving them 94.9% chance of being relegated.

    Despite climbing out of the bottom three with an impressive first win of the season against Tottenham at this weekend, Ipswich are the next side being tipped to go down with a 70.7% chance.

    While Leicester are 15th, three points clear of the drop zone, they are the third most likely side to get relegated according to Opta, with a 46.9% chance.

    Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace are the remaining sides that have an 18% or more chance of falling down to the second tier by May.

  9. Wolves 2-0 Southampton - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:33 11 November

    Your views banner
     Mario Lemina and Ryan Manning compete for the ballImage source, Getty Images

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

    Here are some of your comments:

    Wolves fans

    John: A frustrating first-half performance after a stunning opening goal. We then sat deep which was strange as we are much better going forward but clearly afraid of giving away possession. In the second half we came out with much more energy, snapping away at Southampton and Joao Gomes in particular was immense. A great Matheus Cunha strike. Deserved win.

    Geoff: Woeful, sideways, mind-numbing and pedestrian football, Gary O'Neil didn’t win the game... VAR ensured Wolves got a win! He has taken us from a fast counter-attacking style to the slow, patient, run-the-clock-down rubbish we saw under Mick McCarthy all those years ago. Far from a convincing win.

    Graham: At last, three points. Dare I say the pendulum is swinging our way for a change? Two decisions have gone for us in as many weeks but not before time. Why did we not play like we did in the second half in the first? The international break will now give us time to enjoy this result. Well done lads.

    Southampton fans

    Darren: We had 71% possession and not a single shot on target. We are so one-dimensional. Russell Martin doesn't listen and will be sacked saying "we had lots of possession". He is clearly not a Premiership manager. Fix it now before it's too late!

    David: Our manager continues to be a predictable 'one-trick pony', who seems incapable of fully appreciating how easy it is for other teams to set up, be patient and wait to pounce on our inevitable mistakes. Too many of our squad are Championship level, and Jan Bednarek is the ultimate ball watcher.

    Derek: Just really, really disappointing. When it's a game we cannot lose and we have zero shots on target, it simply isn't good enough. Away from home we have to go for it and pressurise the home team because we can't even rely on our home form at the moment. Sadly, relegation is looking inevitable.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  10. 'It is almost impossible to outplay teams in the Premier League'published at 08:08 11 November

    Tyler Dibling and Rayan Ait-Nouri battle for the ball Image source, PA Media

    Former Southampton player Jo Tessem tells the Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast that Southampton's lack of threat in one-on-one situations is their biggest issue.

    "We haven't got a squad. When you look at the changes we made, they aren't Premier League quality.

    "The most important thing in football is having players with one-on-one skills and I don't think we have any. We have pace in the team but, with the way we play, we are never set up to have one-on-one situations.

    "We are in the possession game where it is almost impossible to outplay another team and score goals in the Premier League. That is where you need the quick-thinking players who can make the right decision in one on ones and get past [defenders]. We don't have that.

    "In the 4-3-3 formation, you have to have wingers high and wide on the ball side and a striker high up. You have to get the ball there quickly. We were [playing very deep in the second half].

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  11. 🎧 Disaster at Molineuxpublished at 20:28 9 November

    Southampton BBC graphic

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

    BBC Radio Solent Sport Editor Adam Blackmore and former Southampton player Jo Tessem are joindiscuss Saturday's defeat against Wolves.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

    Listen on BBC Sounds banner
  12. O’Neil content to don his tin hat, winning ugly not an option for Martinpublished at 20:03 9 November

    Tom Gayle
    BBC Match of the Day commentator at Molineux

    Gary O'Neil and Russell MartinImage source, Getty Images

    This was your textbook six pointer. However, irrespective of the scoreline, the approach from the two men in charge was a strong indication of how each will go about their business when it comes to picking up points.

    For Gary O’Neil the result was clearly more important than the performance. Despite leading 1-0, the majority of the first half was played out amidst an anxious atmosphere amongst the Wolves supporters, frustrated by the apparent lack of pressing from their team, and a reluctance to commit too many bodies forward.

    We had the bizarre situation at one point where Rayan Ait-Nouri stood hand on hip in disbelief at his Head Coach’s instruction to play the ball backwards, rather than race forward with one of his counter attacking marauding runs home fans have come to expect. It was far from pretty at times, but O’Neil would argue the ends justified the means.

    As for Russell Martin, and I won’t be the first or last to make this observation, Southampton appear stubbornly wedded to a possession based playing philosophy, that whatever the game situation or opponent, will not change. Speaking to both Martin, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis pre-match, they both made it clear the plan was to impose their game style on Wolves.

    It was hard to keep track of the number of passes Southampton made with each venture forward. It’s no surprise they are still yet to score from a cross. Set-pieces and corners aside, never once did a Saints player opt to swing a ball into the box from open play and simply see what happens. Calculated and methodical, rather than throwing caution to the wind.

    Time will tell how significant this game was in deciding the fortunes of both teams, and indeed the futures of both managers. Yet from I saw from up of the gantry, O’Neil appears content to don his tin hat when needed, and get the job done by any means necessary, whereas with Martin, winning ugly doesn’t seem to be an option he’s willing to explore.

  13. 'I would expect us to get something and we didn't'published at 17:21 9 November

    Russell Martin managing SouthamptonImage source, Getty Images

    Russell Martin spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Southampton's defeat to Wolves: "It's football and it's about how we respond. We started the game badly with two mistakes leading to their goal. We've dominated the ball, limited them to eight shots at home and lost 2-0. I would expect us to get something and we didn't."

    On Ryan Manning's goal goal being ruled out: "I think it's open to interpretation. Semedo doesn't try to play the ball. he puts his leg across him and then there's contact. We were expecting a penalty. It is what it is. It's disappointing when you're on the end of two tough calls. We should have done better. We have a lack of punch. We have to create.

    "We need to work really hard to try and improve."