A 20th defeat in 25 league matches. A 10th defeat in 12 at St Mary’s. We remain 10 points from safety and the latest loss – a 3-1 humbling at home to Bournemouth – meant it was the first time they have completed the double over us. More unwanted records are falling.
With relegation almost a certainty, the question is: what do we want to see for the remainder of the season? Is it merely to chase down Derby County’s 11-point total, to salvage some pride, or maybe to find some minutes for frozen-out Armel Bella-Kotchap?
It is all of the above. But a more pressing concern is team selection. It is way past the time for Ivan Juric to ditch the back three, which has not been working. The midfield is full of holes that need to plugged. He appears just as inflexible as predecessor Russell Martin and seems unable to learn from previous mistakes.
Martin stuck to the same approach, no matter the opponent, and Juric continues to select players out of position to fit his style. Square pegs, round holes – though it is worth noting that the last time we played a flat back four, we were dismantled 5-0 at home by Tottenham.
The Bella-Kotchap situation continues to confuse. He was named among the substitutes for the fifth consecutive game.
He has played 27 minutes all season – at Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup – but still continues to be unused in a set-up missing key centre-backs Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Instead, Juric opts for Joe Aribo to fill that void.
We have Flynn Downes still sulking, Adam Armstrong seeking approval elsewhere, loaned-out players thriving, players being used out of position and players who deserve time sitting on the bench.
This situation is a mess – and with Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool up next, where is the next point coming from?
Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external
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