News summary
Alex Neil did not dress up Saturday's performance. His Millwall side came to St Mary's top of the Championship and left with their tails between their legs.
Neil called the Saints squad "really strong", then refused to talk up his own side's promotion chances. Rightly so, considering his team just took a hell of a beating at the hands of a free-flowing Southampton side. The Northam had it right when they started singing about taking the proverbial.
Keven Schlotterbeck only had two days between his medical and his debut. He did more than just cope with that. He showed his class in ground duels and on the ball. He looked to play instantly forward, as opposed to sideways and backwards. That will be a sight for sore Saints fans' eyes.
Against a high-pressing (almost reckless) Millwall front line built to bully a newcomer like Schlotterbeck, he made six clearances and won three aerial duels, enough to lead the talking points from the win.
Flynn Downes went off at half-time with a cut above his eye. Downs and Cam Bragg had clashed heads, though the cut was not concussion-related. Tonda Eckert expects the Saints' hard man to be available for Birmingham on Tuesday night.
Downes' contribution in the first half alone still reads as one of the quiet successes of a brilliant afternoon for Saints fans.
A fortnight ago, the four-point deduction had Southampton bottom. Two wins from three have since lifted them into positive numbers and well clear of the relegation places. A win at Birmingham on Tuesday night could see the Saints in mid-table.
Both Shea Charles and Sofiane Boufal have reached the semi-final stage of the club's St Mary's 25-goal poll on Sunday. Charles' long-range effort against Oxford was a worldie from range, but Boufal's skill against West Brom sets it apart.
Transfer news
Aston Villa have all but got Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The deal is worth £25m plus £5m in add-ons. His medical will be later today.
Elche's David Affengruber could be the next player to arrive at St Mary's. Sacha Tavolieri has reported that the two clubs are discussing a €12m valuation, but Southampton hopes to get him for closer to €10m.
A second bid went in for a defender on Sunday. Southampton offered Viking more than £8m for Henrik Falchener, a target they chased earlier in the window.
🚨 Southampton have submitted a new bid worth more than £8m for Viking centre-back Henrik Falchener #saintsfc @EirikNH pic.twitter.com/7V43ViNVds
— SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) August 30, 2026
Cameron Archer looks likely to leave as well. Preston are furthest along among several Championship clubs still hoping to sign him.
Saints Marching opinion
The Taylor Harwood-Bellis saga is quickly reaching a resolution. He will be named a Villa player later today. Harwood-Bellis has given more than enough in his Southampton career to be sent on his way with the best wishes of Saints fans.
His departure will fund an entire central defence refurbishment. Keven Schlotterbeck has already proven to be an upgrade on Jack Stephens and it looks like Eckert and Johannes are about to bring in a couple more from Europe.
If Affengruber or Henrik Falchener follows in the next 48 hours, Eckert has three senior centre-halves and a squad no thinner than it was a week ago. If he brings in both, the Southampton defence will be stronger than most in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Southampton's attack can cover for a hurried rebuild at the back, and five lessons from the win on Saturday suggested just as much. With Azaz, Scienza, and Larin in that kind of form, a solid centre-back partnership is merely a luxury.
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