Southampton's Hull City embarrassment brings boss Still's tally to a 5-game winless streak in the Championship, stooping further than their 4-game spells in the 2023/24 promotion campaign.
Recently, the 2024/25 season completed its first month in action, and the table standings have begun shaping up in the European top 5 leagues. But while this remains a characteristic of an approaching October International break, the relative positioning has left many fans amazed.
Hardly anyone would be unfazed by Tottenham's resurgence in the Premier League, who, after ending last season at an all-time low, are back among the best again. And if anything, this trend has just been even more prominent in the second division.
Agreed, some upsurges were expected, but a torrid spell from most of the promotion contenders feels hard to ingress. But who is more unfortunate than Saints fans again, as they find themselves being central to all of it?
After feeling guilty for former manager Ruben Selles over Sheffield United's situation, Saints now realise their helplessness with Will Still themselves.
That's because, initially charged with the hopes of a maiden Championship title, Southampton currently feel far from even a playoff spot. And all for their 5-game winless streak after the opening win, which has endangered their promotion dream altogether.
What's worth noting further? This forgettable spell has boss Still and staff register a new low already for stooping past previous Championship gaffer, Russell Martin's 4-game winless streak.
Still must steer Southampton to positive results as early as possible
Now, there's no denying that, having won promotion despite a far from perfect start under Martin in 2023/24, Southampton can still turn things around. Yet, honestly, such insights force the fans to look back on whether dethroning Russell Martin last year was the right decision, once again.
After all, while the manager's Top Flight numbers have been a food for critics, Russell Martin's Championship tally stands out in itself. Probably, bringing back the discussion of whether Martin would've been the perfect boss to seek a Premier League return at the first time of asking.
At this point, it's fair to admit that Will Still has been subpar until now, being unable to end the need for such revisits again and again.
Currently, Still stands at the interface of following in either of the ex-bosses, Russell Martin and Ivan Juric's Saint careers. Let's hope he directs it towards Martin's pathway, not ending up with the worst managerial records as the previous Croatian gaffer.