Southampton’s run without a Premier League win extended to 12 matches and they remained in the relegation zone as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s on Wednesday night.
Under-pressure Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino would likely have identified the clash at home to the Seagulls as one his side had to win in their battle to avoid the drop, but they found themselves behind after just 14 minutes when Wesley Hoedt gave away a penalty that Glenn Murray converted for the visitors.
Despite Jack Stephens’ second-half equaliser, the hosts were unable to find the decisive goal that they needed to lift themselves out of the bottom three, and all 91 of the other teams in the Football League pyramid have tasted success since they last did on November 26 when they thrashed Everton 4-1 on their own turf.
The south coast outfit’s clash against bottom side West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday now looks to be hugely significant, and Saints will be looking to pick up the three points they have craving for so long now.
It certainly won’t be easy though, and their manager needs to make some big decisions for the trip to the west Midlands.
Here are three things Pellegrino must do at West Brom to end Southampton’s long winless run…
Start his best players
Southampton had their previous three record signings – Sofiane Boufal, Mario Lemina and Guido Carrillo – as well as another big-money buy in Manolo Gabbiadini – on the substitutes’ bench for a must-win match at home to Brighton, and it was certainly a confusing selection.
While the starting trio of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Steven Davis and Oriol Romeu are good from a defensive point of view, they don’t have the attacking qualities Saints need to create lots of chances and score goals, and the introduction of Carrillo and Boufal from the bench at half-time against the Seagulls made a huge difference.
Pellegrino can’t afford to make that mistake again and leave his side without any pace or tempo in attack at the Hawthorns, and the likes of Carrillo, Boufal and Lemina must be in the starting line-up because of their quality.
Use Stephens and Ward-Prowse as an example
Now the January transfer window has slammed shut, it is up to the current Southampton squad to get the club out of trouble in the remaining 13 matches, and Pellegrino should look to use Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse’s performances against Brighton as an example of the level of effort and commitment that is needed from now until the end of the season – starting at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
The duo were everywhere for their side against the Seagulls and were willing to put their bodies on the line, and it was no surprise that the hosts’ goal came when Stephens flicked home a Ward-Prowse free-kick.
If all 11 players on the pitch show the same level of motivation that the duo did against West Brom, Saints will certainly have a better chance of picking up the three points they so desperately need.
Keep Daniel Sturridge quiet
Southampton would likely have been one of the clubs interested in bringing Daniel Sturridge to St Mary’s on a loan deal until the end of the season from Liverpool had they not already signed Guido Carrillo, but it was West Brom who won the race for the 28-year-old earlier this week.
The 28-year-old made his debut as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, and it seems likely that he could be given a starting berth against Saints at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
According to Transfermarkt, the England international has a decent record against the south coast outfit with four goals and two assists in 11 matches in all competitions against them, and the defence will need to keep the impressive finisher quiet to boost their chances of picking up a much-needed victory.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.