The Top Flight
Fansided

Fulham relegated; what’s left to play for bottom half Premier League teams?

By Howard Green

Josh Brownhill of Burnley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Fulham (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Josh Brownhill of Burnley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Fulham (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Ibrahima Diallo of Southampton runs with the ball during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 12, 2021 in West Bromwich, 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 Michael Steele/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Ibrahima Diallo of Southampton runs with the ball during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 12, 2021 in West Bromwich, 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 Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Southampton has had as many lows as it has had highs

In many ways, Southampton has had a season to both remember and forget.

The team’s seven-game unbeaten run at the end of last season charged them into being at the top of the league at the beginning of November this season.

Although optimism never ran very high for them to maintain a title or even European qualification challenge, it will be no doubt disappointing for them to sink down to 17th.

The Saints also famously recorded a 9-0 loss to Man United in February, just after recuperating from the same scoreline loss to Leicester the season before. Unlike after the Leicester loss, Southampton never picked up form again this season.

However, Southampton can find joy in the individual brilliance of many of its players. James Ward-Prowse’ stunning set pieces and Che Adam’s blistering pace will have brought Saints fans hope even during the darkest of times.

Similarly, Danny Ings has once again contributed to Southampton maintaining some of their light. Ings has 10 goals in 25 appearances, a greater goal per 90 than that of both Patrick Bamford and Jamie Vardy this season.

Southampton will want to come back stronger to aim for a much higher finish next season. The pressure will be on for Ralph Hasenhüttl to shift his team into shape, as he will understand the value of these next three games.

If he can’t achieve this, then an early sacking for Hasenhüttl could be on the cards for early next season.

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