Southampton: HUGE number of points dropped by Saints since 2017/18

Southampton have fallen down the Premier League table since 2016 and have been embroiled in battles at the bottom league during the last three seasons.

A big part of that has been the appointment of managers that have not paid off, whilst poor football played under them has produced a consistent level of anxiety around the club – whether that be in matches or otherwise.

If any fans of any other clubs are looking at the situation at St Mary’s and wondering why there is so much negativity, then they need to look no further than this stat coming up.

The anxiety that has set in to the playing squad at the club has seen an unbelievable amount of points dropped since the 2017/18 season – and left fans fearing the worst whenever they watch their team play.

Since the beginning of 2017/18, Saints have dropped 66 Premier League points from positions where they were winning or where they had worked their way back to drawing.

This record has come from these games:

2017/18 season

2-1 loss at Stoke City after being at 1-1 (one point dropped) – 85th minute concession

1-1 draw at Brighton after being 1-0 up (two points dropped)

2-1 loss at Man City after being at 1-1 (one point dropped) – 90th minute concession

1-1 draw with Arsenal after being 1-0 up (two points dropped) – 88th minute concession

1-1 draw with Huddersfield after being 1-0 up (two points dropped)

2-1 loss to Crystal Palace after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 80th minute concession

2-2 draw at Watford after being 2-0 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

1-1 draw with Spurs after being 1-0 up (two points dropped)

3-2 loss at Arsenal after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 81st minute concession

3-2 loss against Chelsea after being 2-0 up (three points dropped)

1-1 draw at Everton after being 1-0 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

2018/19 season

2-1 loss against Leicester after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 90th minute concession

2-2 draw with Brighton after being 2-0 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

1-1 draw against Watford after being 1-0 up (two points dropped) – 82nd minute concession

3-2 loss at Fulham after being 1-0 up (three points dropped)

2-2 draw against Man United after being 2-0 up (two points dropped)

2-1 loss against West Ham after being 1-0 up (three points dropped)

3-1 loss against Man City after being at 1-1 (one point dropped)

1-1 draw at Burnley after being 1-0 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

2-1 loss against Cardiff after being at 1-1 (one point dropped) – 90th minute concession

3-2 loss at Man United after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 88th minute concession

3-1 loss against Liverpool after being 1-0 up (three points dropped)

1-1 draw at Watford after being 1-0 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

3-3 draw with Bournemouth after being 1-0 and 3-2 up (two points dropped) – 86th minute concession

1-1 draw with Huddersfield after being 1-0 up (two points dropped)

2019/20 season

2-1 loss at Spurs after being at 1-1 (one point dropped)

1-1 draw at Wolves after being 1-0 up (two points dropped)

2-1 loss at Man City after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 86th minute concession

2-1 loss to Everton after being at 1-1 (one point dropped)

2-2 draw at Arsenal after being 1-0 and 2-1 up (two points dropped) – 90th minute concession

2-1 loss at Newcastle after being 1-0 up (three points dropped) – 87th minute concession

Whilst we are still two games away from being halfway through the 2019/20 season, it appears that Saints will have to get rid of the jitters when trying to hold onto leads/draws to save themselves.

Notably, the 12 points that they have dropped from winning or drawing positions during the opening 17 games would be see them at least fifth in the Premier League at the moment.

In the games featured in this article too, Saints conceded no less than 18 deciding goals after the 80th minute – hinting at the inability defend leads and take chances that is seen in many games that they play.

Clearly it is not impossible for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his players to resolve this, but it will take a lot of long-term and short-term work.