Watford 1-3 Southampton: Three Match Takeaway Thoughts

Are We All Going on a European Tour?

Let’s take a moment for some wild optimism, shall we?

Ralph’s charges currently sit just five points off seventh place. As a strong contingent of Europe bound top teams remain in the FA Cup, that would likely be enough for a birth in the Europa League next season.

Manchester City’s ban from the Champions League next term means that eighth place may also be enough. Though it should be noted that the Citizens’ two-year ban from the competition is subject to appeal.

The team has looked strong in two out of the three matches post restart, controlling the pace of the games as well as displaying a clinical edge.

Regretfully the squad also continued a worrying trend of losing at home. The match against Arsenal hardly represented a terrible display, but SFC never really look like taking a share of the points let alone winning it.

The Red and White Army have been consistently inconsistent, which they will have to immediately overcome if they stand any chance of claiming an unlikely place.

Fixtures against Bournemouth, Brighton, and Sheffield United should bring points.  However ties against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton could well put pay to the idea.

The threat that city pose needs no explanation, United are still very much in the fight for Champions League football while Everton at Goodison Park are a bogey team for the Saints.

The club hasn’t won a league game on the blue side of Merseyside since the 90s.

Nevertheless, if the Hampshire side can pick up their expected points as well as winning  in unexpected places, they could just about make the cut.

With other teams slightly better positioned and Southampton’s inconsistency still likely to plague them this is most definitely a long shot.

Nevertheless, the final run of games has the potential to yield reward for those that try and should not be taken as an excuse to coast towards the brief summer break.