God, it hurts to watch your team self-destruct. Just ask Matt Le Tissier, who's absolutely fuming about Southampton's pathetic Premier League campaign.
I caught up with the Saints legend last week, and he didn't hold back. The man who spent his entire career with Southampton—netting an incredible 161 goals in 443 appearances—looks physically pained when discussing the current squad.
When Watching Your Own Team Becomes Torture
"This has been a tough season to watch," Le Tissier told me, slumped in his chair at the local cafe where we met. "We've had relegations before but never quite on this scale."
The South Coast side became the fastest Premier League team ever relegated when they lost to Spurs with SEVEN games still to play. Seven. Let that sink in.
They've scraped together a measly ten points from 32 games and need just TWO more to avoid the humiliation of breaking Derby's record-low of 11 points set back in 2008-09.
Le Tissier, who watches games from his Suite at the stadium, looks genuinely depressed when he describes the experience.
"It's been a real chore."
Where's the Fight Gone?
What seems to bother the 56-year-old most isn't just the losses—it's teh apparent lack of passion from players earning more in a week than most fans make in months.
"It's not been enjoyable seeing our team get outclassed on a regular basis," he sighs, stirring his coffee absently. "Even when we were close to getting relegated during my playing days, we were reasonably competitive and had a go."
Le Tissier leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "There just doesn't seem to be that amount of fight in this team and that's symptomatic of a lot of footballers this day and age. The connection between players and fans on the terrace... it's gone."
Back in the 90s, Le Tiss (nicknamed "Le God" by adoring Saints supporters) personally battled through at least five relegation scraps. "We never got relegated—and definitely four went to the last day of the season," he recalls with a hint of pride.
The Fans Saw This Disaster Coming
In a bizarre twist that speaks volumes about the club's decline, Le Tissier reveals many supporters didn't even want promotion last season.
"When we went to the play-offs last season, I'd say there was a 50-50 split with Saints fans who didn't want to go up because of exactly what has happened," he explains. "I was speaking to loads of them a year ago and they were saying they didn't mind if they lose the final."
Imagine that. Your team in a promotion final and half the fanbase hoping for defeat. Brutal.
"That's not a great position to be in as a football club where you know if you go up you are going to get battered every week."
The £4K Season Ticket That Buys You Pain
I've been attending matches since 2018, and I've never seen atmosphere this toxic. Last month, I watched a father and son leave at halftime, the dad telling the boy, "We'll come back when they start trying." Poor kid looked devastated.
Le Tissier understands the frustration all too well. "I'm quite happy to interact with people and talk about football all day long but their frustration is palpable," he says. "Most of that frustration is at the presence given out by the players that they don't care enough about the football club."
He shakes his head slowly. "And it shows just how low we've got to by the fact we are still fighting not to become the worst Premier League team ever with the number of points we've got."
So... What Next?
The managerial merry-go-round hasn't helped. Ivan Juric was recently sacked, following Russell Martin who got the boot back in December.
Le Tissier believes Martin might still be in charge had he shown more tactical flexibility. "Had Russell Martin been more pragmatic in his approach he would still be in the job. They liked him down here and it wouldn't have taken much for him to have stayed had he swallowed his pride a bit."
The stubborn insistence on playing out from the back was suicide in the Premier League. One supporter I spoke to described it as "watching someone repeatedly stick their hand in a blender and acting surprised when they lose fingers."
As for who should take over? Le Tissier has clear ideas.
"To be honest I would like to see a young, progressive manager, somebody who is not afraid to change his tactics when the need arises," he says. "If the new manager had a connection with the club that would go a long way with the fans and that is something I would like to see."
Whether the owners listen is another matter entirely. Like a ghost at a family reunion, Southampton's Premier League status has vanished while everyone awkwardly pretends they don't notice the obvious problems.
The Championship awaits. Again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any financial regulations in place in the Premier League?
The Premier League does have financial regulations known as Financial Fair Play rules (FFP). These are meant to stop clubs from going beyond their means, and promote financial stability. These rules require clubs to limit their losses over a three-year period and to ensure that expenditures do not massively exceed their earnings from football-related activities. The regulations are in place to encourage responsible spending and to maintain competitive balance within the league.
What is Premier League football?
The Premier League in England is one of the most competitive and popular domestic football leagues around the world. It is contested between 20 teams. The English Football League (EFL) operates a system for promotion and relegation. The teams play 38 matches each year (home and abroad), with the season running typically from August until May. The Premier League is known for its high-quality football, international array of star players, and significant global following.
What is the impact of the Premier League on the English national football team?
The Premier League has a big role to play in the development and growth of English football talent. The Premier League produces many players who are chosen for the English National Team, bringing their experience and skills to international competitions. The competitive nature of leagues and their quality players is thought to benefit the English national team. However, there has been debate over the league's high number of foreign players and how it affects the opportunities for English players to get regular first-team football.
What happens to teams who finish bottom of the Premier League table?
At the end of each Premier League season, the teams that finish in the bottom three positions of the league table are relegated to the Championship, which is the second tier of English football. In their place, the top two teams from the Championship, along with the winner of the Championship playoffs, are promoted to the Premier League for the following season.
What role does the Video Assistant Referee play in the Premier League?
In the Premier League the Video Assistant Referee System (VAR) is used to help on-field referees make the right decisions in cases such as goals, penalty decisions and direct red cards. The VAR analyzes footage and gives advice to the referee. He can then view the replay on the pitchside monitor prior to making a final decision. The system's goal is to minimize any human errors that may affect the result of a game.
Statistics
- The record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season by a player is 32, achieved by Mohamed Salah during the 2017-2018 campaign.
- Arsenal boasts an unbeaten streak of 49 Premier League matches from May 2003 to October 2004, the longest in the history of the league.
- Chelsea established the Premier League’s greatest goal difference of +71 in the 2009–2010 season, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive strength.
- In the 1995–96 season, Manchester United achieved the largest title-winning margin, finishing 18 points clear of the second-placed team.
- The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.
External Links
How To
Fantasy Premier League - How To Play
Playing Fantasy Premier League begins by creating an account on the official Fantasy Premier League website. After you register, you'll have a budget that you can use to 'buy a squad' of players who will score points based upon their actual performances on the pitch. Strategize your selection based on player form, fixtures, and price. Throughout the Premier League, manage your squad by changing players and selecting your captain. You can also use special chips for maximum points at crucial moments.
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