Southampton’s decision to stick by manager Ralph Hasenhüttl when others around him were losing their jobs left, right and centre has proven to be an inspired one.
Only 78 days ago it appeared the former RB Leipzig boss was dead and buried as the Saints lost by a Premier League record-equalling 9-0 to Leicester City. But just 13 days into 2020 things could not be more different on the south coast, as Southampton eye an emergence into the top half of the Premier League table.
After overcoming the Foxes at the weekend, Hasenhüttl told BBC Sport: “We didn’t want to have revenge. We wanted to show ourselves how far we are now in our development.” The development he mentioned has been nothing short of sensational, especially in the last ten matches where the Saints have accumulated a phenomenal 20 points, having previously picked up just eight from their opening 12 fixtures.
Southampton’s average of two points per game, in their last ten, has seen them rise to third in the form table, behind only Premier League leaders Liverpool and Manchester City. Wins heal wounds, and the worst result in Southampton’s 134-year history is nothing but a distant memory from where they currently find themselves. But the method of escaping the relegation battle has been an unusual one.
No other side in the Premier League has had the same disparity in their ability to pick up points home and away this season. At St Mary’s, Hasenhüttl’s squad have been woeful, accumulating a meagre 11 points from as many matches, with only Bournemouth and Norwich City have collected fewer from as many games. However, on the road Southampton are a side transformed: their 17 points from 11 matches is the fifth best away record in the division and is currently ensuring they survive another Premier League campaign.
West Ham and Chelsea are the only other top-flight clubs to have fared better on their travels than at home, but neither by a more considerable margin than Southampton’s six points. An upturn in their away results, along with Danny Ings hunting down Jamie Vardy for the Premier League Golden Boot should ensure the rest of the Saints’ season is comfortable. Hasenhuttl has guided his side eight points clear of the drop, leaving Southampton closer to Europe than relegation, via an unlikely source of points.
