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Southampton’s home and away form: Is St Mary’s a fortress?

By Christian Bird

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: General view of the St Marys Stadium during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: General view of the St Marys Stadium during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are comfortably positioned in tenth with games in hand, and have a good chance of finishing eighth for the season. However, looking down the table is a pretty scary site, as the gap between them and 15th is merely two points. So how have they phased home and away this season?

The truth is, they haven’t been that impressive at home or away this season, and fans will be disappointed about this.

Away

Southampton has struggled particularly away from home losing nine of their 18 matches. Nevertheless, Southampton has been better that the majority of teams away from home this season, which is why they have squeezed into the top half.

Southampton FC has a rich heritage of playing football in the top flight, and over the years has built a huge fan base, which consists of on average 36,000 away supporters per game, in comparison with the 30,000 at St Mary’s Stadium.

There have been some tricky fixtures in the schedule this season away from home, where any team can beat anybody. That said, Southampton has given a good show of themselves and played football the way they like to play it. They drew 0-0 with Liverpool in their last away fixture.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Home

St. Mary’s stadium is always rocking at home games, especially since arriving in the Premier League for a second spell. However, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea (the top four perhaps) have all won here this season, showing that St. Mary’s is not the fortress that it should be in front of such great fans. All they have really managed is a goalless draw against Liverpool and a 1-0 win over fellow Merseysider’s Everton.

St. Mary’s is a great stadium that deserves to be a top flight ground, but there are now clubs around them and even that are being promoted such as Brighton and Newcastle who will give them a run for their money.

Arsenal and then Manchester United are Southampton’s next visitors, with a resurgent manager in Jose Mourinho and desperate Gunner’s gaffer Arsene Wenger.

Stoke at home is their final opposition, which is definitely a game which Saints would hope to win. Stoke sits one point behind although have played two more games.

Conclusion: Saints Need to Win At Home

Southampton is just above the forty point mark at this late stage, but wherever Saint’s finish, it will be considered a building season, with a new manager coming in, a new squad of players, and new expectations.

It will be a stern test next season, particularly at home to put wins together and challenge for Europe. Southampton will need a full squad to compete for these high-pressure targets.

Southampton will most likely look to cash in on some star performers, but elsewhere Nice midfielder Jean Seri has been linked with a move to St Mary’s in the summer, and a big move for Portuguese defender Ruben Sernado worth in the region of £30 million has been rumoured.

Southampton is also reportedly chasing Bruma from Galatasaray according to ESPN, and 25-years-old Ahmad Benali from Pescara in Italy.