Southampton’s chances of automatic promotion disappeared as they fell to a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Leicester City on Tuesday night.
The win left Leicester just one win away from guaranteed promotion, whilst Southampton‘s fate will almost certainly be decided via the play-offs.
In truth, Russell Martin saw his side put in a performance that was at best tepid and at worst pathetic as they failed to put right their defeat at Cardiff last time out.
The Saints were only 1-0 down at half-time but were by far second best even at that stage of proceedings.
However, a horror show of a second-half performance saw Southampton slump to a 5-0 defeat that could be far more damaging mentally than it is to their immediate promotion chances.
The play-offs are incredibly tough psychologically and a this result will not stand the Saints in good stead ahead of those crunch fixtures.
As well as a weak defensive performance, Southampton failed to register a single shot on target against the league leaders.
Here is how we rated the individual performances in what was a really poor collective display.
Southampton player ratings v Leicester
Alex McCarthy – 4
Has been the man tasked with replacing Gavin Bazunu after the Irishman’s long-term injury.
The drop-off in quality in terms of distribution has been huge as a result but could do little about any of Leicester’s goals.
James Bree – 5
Loose in possession at times in the first-half and gave Stephy Mavididi too much time when defending, but Southampton looked worse after he was replaced by Ryan Manning on 60 minutes.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 5
Reasonably comfortable in possession in the first-half and didn’t do too much wrong despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.
Did not cover himself in glory with a nasty challenge on Dennis Praet late on with his frustration boiling over.
Jan Bednarek – 5
Similarly to Harwood-Bellis, was not one of the main reasons for such a heavy defeat but will take little comfort from that.
Martin really needs to address defensive problems ahead of the play-offs.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 3
Started at left-back with Manning not risked from the start and caught sleeping to allow Abdul Fatawu to ghost on for Leicester’s first, albeit with a suspicion of offside.
Swapped to the right when Manning replaced James Bree and gave Mavididi far too much time to dig out the cross that found Wilfred Ndidi for the Foxes’ second. Offered next to nothing in an attacking sense in what is surely his worst performance of the campaign.
Shea Charles – 6
A few loose passes early on as the responsibility of replacing Flynn Downes weighed heavy.
Grew into the game despite Leicester’s dominance and one of few who did not give up. Whilst it will be little consolation to anyone associated with Southampton, Charles will be better for this experience.
Joe Rothwell – 3
Still yet to make an impact when starting a game since joining on loan in January and limped off after 39 minutes. Difficult to envisage Southampton pursuing a permanent deal in the summer.
Joe Aribo – 5
Led the press in the first-half and took a lot of responsibility taking the ball under pressure with Stuart Armstrong out but influence wained in the second-half as Southampton fell apart.
David Brooks – 4
Struggled to get into the game up against the quicker James Justin and replaced by Samuel Edozie on 60 minutes. Gave away possession eight times according to Sofascore in a display he will want to forget in a hurry.
Che Adams – 5
Held the ball up well under intense pressure from Wout Faes and Jannik Verstergaard. Fed off scraps but sprayed some lovely passes to teammates with his back to goal, particularly in the first-half.
Did his bit but Southampton failed to create a single chance for the Scotland international.
Adam Armstrong – 4
Like Brooks, Adam Armstrong did not get on the ball anywhere near as much as he should have but as captain on the night and the club’s top goalscorer he needs to be offering so much more.
Looked lost for ideas when on the rare occasion he did receive the ball in the final third with Leicester’s wingers giving Southampton’s something of a lesson.
Substitutes:
Will Smallbone – 5
Samuel Edozie – 5
Ryan Manning – 4
Jack Stephens – N/A
Ryan Fraser – N/A
