Southampton have kept one clean sheet in seven matches, but there is an even more worrying trend that’s threatening to derail the Saints’ promotion charge.
Southampton’s 18-match unbeaten run in the Championship has taken Tonda Eckert’s team from the lower reaches of the table to the brink of automatic promotion.
However, the Saints have struggled in recent weeks. After Cameron Archer’s late winner at Swansea City, Southampton have drawn twice at home in the league and lost at Wembley in the FA Cup semi against Manchester City.
A concern for Eckert will be his team’s sudden inability to keep a clean sheet, particularly at home. Since Daniel Peretz has come in for Gavin Bazunu, the Southampton defence has kept eight clean sheets (six at home) in all competitions.
Although that sounds great, only one of those clean sheets has come in the last eight matches.
At St Mary’s, teams have worked out that the best way to score against Southampton is to counterattack quickly. Bristol City did that very well, particularly for Sam Bell’s opener.
Ipswich used the Robins’ blueprint to take Saints apart in transition in an open game, which was a credit to the Championship. What it wasn’t, however, was an advert for defensive aptitude. There was a sense of inevitability that Ipswich would equalise on Tuesday night. They almost went on to get a late winner.
The trend haunting Saints’ fans
Conceding goals in the 87th minute is quickly becoming a trend that is haunting Saints fans. At Wembley on Saturday, Nico González’ smashed the ball into the top corner from range to break 49,000 Saints fans’ hearts.
When Ipswich Town’s substitute, Jack Clarke, repeated the feat on Tuesday night to earn the Tractor Boys a deserved point, it must have felt like Deja Vu for the St Mary’s faithful.
What makes the trend even more unpalatable is that it has been Southampton who have benefited from late goals during their unbeaten run.
Shea Charles has bagged two late goals in dramatic circumstances. The first completed an incredible comeback at Leicester City; the second saw off Arsenal at St Mary’s.
Cyle Larin popped up with an injury-time equaliser at The Hawthorns to earn an unlikely point against West Bromwich Albion.
Archer’s 90th-minute winner at the Swansea.com stadium kept Southampton in the automatic promotion race before the wheels started to come off a little.
Southampton must find a way to stop the opposition from trying their luck from range. Fans saw at Wembley just how difficult it can be to keep out a shot from outside the box, particularly when the penalty area is crowded.
To achieve the holy grail of a clean sheet, Southampton must be quicker in defensive transitions and master the dark art of the half-way professional foul.
Furthermore, they must be quicker to close down on the edge of the box when a player looks like they are about to buy a ticket for the ‘beat the keeper’ raffle.
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