Exclusive: Former Saints Defender Analyses Southampton's Struggles and Offers Relegation Survival Tips

Football legend Radhi Jaidi has offered insights into why his former club, Southampton, are facing challenges in the Premier League this season.

After a single season in the English second tier, the South Coast club earned promotion back to the Premier League for the 2024-25 campaign, joining Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

However, they have struggled significantly, managing just one win in 17 fixtures so far, leaving them at the bottom of the Premier League table with only six points. Their sole victory came against Everton on November 2.

Their dismal run, with 13 defeats in 16 games, prompted the club’s board to sack Russell Martin—who had guided the Saints to promotion in his debut season as manager. The team now holds a league-low of just 11 goals.
 

UNPACKING SOUTHAMPTON’S STRUGGLES

Southampton kicked off their new era under manager Ivan Juric with a 0-0 draw at Fulham's Craven Cottage, halting a four-game losing streak as they aim to rejuvenate their faltering campaign.

When asked about the reasons behind Southampton's gradual decline, Jaidi—who played for the Saints from 2009 to 2012 after leaving Birmingham City and later coached the club's U23 team—suggested that multiple factors are at play.

"I think there are too many aspects to define why the club is struggling, or at least the relegation zone, the last period," the first Tunisian to play in the English top flight, in an interview with SportsBoom.com.

"I know Southampton well, but there has to be many changes in many aspects, at least from the ownership perspective, then obviously strategy, and then sporting strategy perspective. 

"There has to be a lot of change. And then, from what I see from outside, I think the way we're playing."
 

SAINTS REQUIRE A STRATEGIC SHIFT

Critiquing the club’s style of play, the 2004 African Cup of Nations winner emphasized the need for a reassessment, as it has failed to yield the desired results.

Since their return to the Premier League, the St Mary's Stadium giants have been known for their commitment to possession-based football and playing out from the back.

"It's a really exciting style of play, possession and playing out from the back, but it's causing Southampton a lot of issues,” continued Tunisia's most-capped international player of all time.

"When they lose the ball, because the players and the distance is too big from a distance perspective, and I think that costs the team goals against, and then obviously results. 

"You know, the Premier League is very ruthless and highly competitive. You're up against very big teams, and I think even the smallest mistakes can lead to costly goals."

The style of play implemented by former manager Martin was regarded as the most extreme possession-based system ever witnessed by a newly-promoted Premier League team.

As of November, Opta revealed that only Manchester City and Liverpool surpassed Southampton's averages of 552.9 passes and 486.9 successful passes per game. 

The team ranked fifth in average possession (57.4%), and only Tottenham had a higher percentage of goal-kicks ending in their own penalty area, underscoring their commitment to playing out from the back.
 

JAIDI’S INSIGHTS ON RELEGATION SURVIVAL

Despite the troubled state of his former club, the veteran has shared valuable advice on how Southampton can avoid relegation to the Championship.

He stated: "Southampton just need to gain points. I never gave up in the Premier League. So, from my experience point of view, playing in the Premier League, you never give up.

"They have to play until the last minute, need to win points —it's all about putting points on the board.

"That will help them to gain confidence, and then obviously use the quality of the players and the potential of the team they have."

Southampton’s next challenge is a Boxing Day clash against West Ham United, where they will aim for their first win in eight matches, followed by a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace three days later.