There comes a point where form can no longer be explained away as a dip, a knock, or a system that is not quite right. For Ryan Manning, Southampton may be reaching that point. Recent performances have moved beyond inconsistency and into territory that is actively hurting the team.
The Middlesbrough defeat was merely the clearest example. Manning was repeatedly caught out of position, struggled badly in defensive transitions, and made costly errors under minimal pressure.
He was not alone, but the left side continues to look like Southampton’s soft underbelly, and opponents know it. Long balls, quick switches, runners in behind, it all feels painfully predictable now.
Part of the problem is tactical. Playing as a wing-back in a back three demands defensive awareness and recovery pace, neither of which are currently Manning’s strengths. But tactics only explain so much.
Struggling with the basics - here's why
Even within that structure, Manning is struggling with the basics. Clearances are rushed, duels are lost, and decision-making is erratic. Confidence looks shot, and once that goes for a defender, mistakes tend to multiply.
This matters because full-back is no longer a luxury position. In modern Championship football, your left-back has to be reliable first and progressive second. Southampton’s attacking talent needs balance behind it, not lopsided gaps. Right now, Manning is offering neither solidity nor consistent output going forward.
Saints should already be looking at alternatives. Not just cover, but genuine competition and, ideally, an upgrade. A proven Championship left-back who understands the division would make immediate sense.
The profile of the player required is crystal clear
Someone in the mould of a Leif Davis-type profile: athletic, aggressive, comfortable both defending wide spaces and contributing in the final third. Short of that, a Premier League loanee with pace and defensive instincts would still raise the bar.
There is also value in looking younger. Although it's a riskier strategy, Southampton’s recruitment history shows they are capable of identifying defenders before they peak. A developing left-back with physical tools and composure could benefit enormously from regular minutes in a side that dominates possession.
None of this is about scapegoating Manning. He has had good moments in a Saints shirt and remains a committed professional. But football is ruthless, and sentiment does not keep clean sheets. If Tonda Eckert is serious about tightening up defensively, the left-back position cannot be ignored any longer.
Systems can change. Shapes can be tweaked. But personnel matters too. Right now, Southampton look like a side with a weakness that everyone else is happy to exploit. Addressing the left-back position in the market would not be an admission of failure; it would be an acknowledgement of reality.