We are fast approaching the end of the season, which also means that awards season is also upon us.
Southampton have eight Championship games left of the campaign, however their season is likely to be extended by at least two matches given a play-off spot now seems the most likely outcome for Russell Martin and his players.
Southampton have made no secret of the fact that their aim this season was to secure an instant return to the Premier League and, despite a record breaking 25-game unbeaten run from the end of September until February, the club will now have to rely on the lottery of the play-offs if they are to achieve their objective.
Given the quality of the squad at Martin’s disposal, it would be bitterly disappointing to remain a Championship side next season. Failure to return to the top flight will also likely lead to the departure of key individuals, as well as making the market the St Mary’s club can shop in very different.
Now, an EFL announcement has rubbed further salt in Southampton wounds.
Southampton have no nominees for EFL awards
The EFL announced the nominees for their end of season awards on Wednesday, with Southampton overlooked for each category.
It is no surprise to see Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna nominated for the Manager of the Season award, given that his side sit top of the league despite only being promoted from League One last summer and having a far lower budget than the likes of Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton.
McKenna’s Ipswich side effectively put an end to the Saints’ automatic promotion hopes on Easter Monday, with their 97th-minute winner a dagger to Southampton hearts.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke and Liam Rosenior of Hull City are the other two Championship managers shortlisted, with McKenna surely the favourite.
For the Player of the Season award, Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is joined by Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville and Blackburn Rovers attacker Sammie Szmodics; whilst Archie Gray, Jon Rowe and Jordan James are nominated for the young player of the season award.
Southampton can have no complaints over EFL award snub
In the midst of the aforementioned unbeaten run, it was almost unthinkable that Southampton would be out of the race for automatic promotion with eight games remaining.
However, a run of three wins in eight league fixtures has meant that it would take a miracle for Martin to steer his side to a top two finish.
Following a bottom-placed finish in the Premier League last season, a summer of overhaul ensued which included a shift in approach to a possession-based side and, subsequently, the appointment of Martin as manager.
Whilst the ex-Swansea City boss has certainly imprinted his philosophy on his current team, he has often come under criticism for his side’s failure to make their dominance count in games. Therefore, it is no surprise that the 38-year-old manager was not considered for the Manager of the Year award.
In terms of players, the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jan Bednarek and Flynn Downes have all had brilliant campaigns but have perhaps not stood out quite enough to be placed on the same pedestal as Dewsbury-Hall, Summerville and Szmodics. Similarly, none of the young talent at St Mary’s have performed at a consistent enough level to come into the debate for Young Player of the Year.
Kyle Walker-Peters has been Southampton’s best player this season, making it all the more shocking he was dropped for the huge clash away at Ipswich last time out. The full-back’s form saw him linked with a move to Chelsea in January, but as Southampton have dipped so too has the form of the 26-year-old.
The only other player who may have been in the conversation is Adam Armstrong. The striker has predominantly played wide this season and has registered a league-high 31 goal contributions in the Championship, with 20 goals and 11 assists.
Whilst this is an impressive haul, the more critical observers of his performances may still point to the fact the ex-Blackburn forward still spurns far too many clear-cut opportunities and at times lacks the cutting edge to be considered one of the three best players in the division.
Given the recent slump and the timing of this coming at the business end of the season, it would be difficult to argue that Southampton have been hard done by with their lack of nominees for the individual EFL awards.