Southampton’s dismal attempt to avoid relegation back to The Championship has resulted in failure on Sunday after they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur – and Leeds United fans have responded.
Rewind little less than a year and Russell Martin had just beaten Daniel Farke’s side for a third time, this time at Wembley in the Championship play-off final. Adam Armstrong scoring the only goal to win 1-0.
The Saints were promoted at Leeds’ expense, and they went on to spend £105m with the hope of survival. But it has all been in vain, with Southampton considered one of the Premier League’s worst-ever sides.
Derby County are considered the worst, with just 11 in 2007-08. After two wins in 31 games, Ivan Juric’s side currently have just 10 points and are still in the running to amass the smallest-ever points total.
Tottenham win 3-1 to condemn Southampton to relegation
A first-half brace from Brennan Johnson put Spurs in the driving seat and while Ange Postecoglou’s men did concede. Matheus Fernandes got one back before substitute Mathys Tel netted from the penalty spot.
The three promoted teams from last season’s Championship are now well adrift of the rest of England’s top tier with 18th-placed Ipswich a massive 12 points off Wolves, who sit in 17th in the Premier League.
Some might have little sympathy for Southampton’s relegation after the Saints pipped Leeds to the post last season, others are concerned that a side that beat Leeds last year have been so easily relegated.
One Leeds fan had seen Southampton were relegated and said “that’s us next year” under the guidance of Daniel Farke. Another said “at least they got the job done in the first place”, as Leeds struggle.
Another said “we lost to them”, concerned that this Southampton side managed to beat Leeds all three times last season and yet could be seen as the worst-ever Premier League team in about six weeks.
Leeds fans were also told to “have some perspective” as one supporter reminded fans that although the Saints could be the worst-ever Premier League side, they did beat Leeds on three occasions last term.
Southampton are key example Leeds must spend big, but well
Adam Pope has predicted Leeds will make six major signings in positions that require improvement and likely spend north of £100m. But it is not all about how much you can spend on potential new players.
Southampton will now be left with a massive black hole and forced to recover when relegated into the second tier. It is a reminder to Leeds to spend big, but also spend well in order to get value for money.
The recent accounts of 2023-24 show that Leeds do not have the financial space to spend big, anyway. Leeds need a couple of Ao Tanaka’s this summer if promoted, as well as some big marquee additions.
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