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The rise and fall of Southampton – What is the reason for their decline?

By Santiago Alcedo

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: (L-R) Jan Bednarek , Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton walk off dejected after the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on March 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: (L-R) Jan Bednarek , Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse of Southampton walk off dejected after the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on March 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Southampton was playing an amazing level of football when the season started but now, they are mid-table with chances of relegation.

The first two games for the Saints were losses against Crystal Palace and Tottenham. But since these two early defeats, they went on an amazing run and were undefeated in 13 of their next 15 games. They only failed against Manchester City 1-0 and against the Red Devils 3-2.

They won on January 4th against Liverpool 1-0. With this result the Saints achieved a club record of 29 points in 17 games, the most points the Saints have recorded in the history of the EPL era in 17 games.

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Also, on November 6th they were placed at the top of the table for their first time in Premier League history. Everything looked great for Ralph Hasenhüttl and his Saints but after the Liverpool victory, they have not been able to win a game to date.

Nine games have passed, they tied one against Chelsea and lost the other eight games, including a horrendous 9-0 loss against Manchester United.

So, what is the reason for Southampton’s decline?

The defense can be the most responsible part of the decline. They have conceded a total of 25 goals in this nine-game losing streak.

Also, their offense has not been the same as it was at the start of the season. They have only scored five goals in these nine games.

Danny Ings’ level has downgraded a lot following his amazing run since the opening day of Premier League football. He has only scored one goal during this difficult run of games and when your main forward is not scoring goals, something is extremely wrong.

Southampton went from being top of the EPL table to seven points away from relegation.

They are now 16 points off any European spots, so their dreams of making at least the Europa League are gone since they only have eleven games to make it.

The teams on the top are playing at an unstoppable level, making it even harder for them to catch up or recapture the form that saw them sit at the summit for about 24 hours.

Everything looks like Southampton will end mid-table as they did last season. They were close to achieving a similar season like the 2015-2016 campaign where they were placed 6th.

Read. Latest injury blow doesn’t help the Reds during crisis. light

At the time they boasted an amazing team consisting of players such as Virgil Van Dijk, Sadio Mané, Dušan Tadić and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Can Southampton avoid relegation? Are they capable to finish the season above 10th place? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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