Leicester City 1-2 Southampton: Three Match Takeaway Thoughts

Where now for Southampton?

Only weeks ago, it seemed nailed on that Southampton would be making that agonizing drop back down to the Championship for the first time in nearly a decade. With a flurry of wins and draws, the situation has changed drastically. A word of caution; they are not safe yet and it would be naïve to suggest that anyone from Crystal Palace downwards is secure.

However, Southampton have already played Chelsea, Leicester and Tottenham twice, with some very winnable games left in the remaining fixtures. Granted there are still unfavourable trips to Anfield and Old Trafford to undertake, whilst they are yet to host Manchester City and the unpredictable Arsenal at St Mary’s this season. Nevertheless, there are at least seven or eight games, which on current form, the club should be looking to ear mark as potential wins.

Ironically Saints are nearer to the European places than they are to the relegation spots and whilst this can change quickly, there is no reason why Hasenhuttl should not be seeking to ride the wave of optimism and confidence present at the club and target a further ascent up the league table. The performance at Leicester, as with the recent triumphs against Chelsea and Spurs, showed that this is a Southampton side which can be devastatingly effective.

Whether it the clinical finishing of Ings (joint second highest in the league), the relentless running of Ward-Prowse, the tackling of Hojbjerg or the never-ending clearances by Bednarek (highest in league for clearances and third highest for headed interceptions respectively – Source: PremierLeague.com), Southampton are a compelling proposition currently. Is an European spot likely? Probably not but based on the display at Leicester, a top half finish has to be feasible.

Southampton have sung their redemption song, stuck two fingers up to their critics and in beating Leicester in the own back yard, have removed the King Kong of monkeys from their back. For the first time in years, optimism has returned for those connected to the club.