[ad_pod ]
The pressure on Southampton manager Mark Hughes is increasing after a disappointing start to the 2018/19 Premier League season, and the club should consider replacing the Welshman with Brentford boss Dean Smith.
What’s the word, then?
Well, having steered the club to safety last term, Hughes would have hoped to hit the ground running during the current campaign in order to ensure that the south coast outfit didn’t find themselves in another relegation battle.
Despite having a slightly favourable fixture list including home matches against Burnley, Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion – as well as trips to Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers – Saints have picked up just one win to date to leave them in 16th position in the standings.
Goalscoring has been a big problem for Southampton since the departure of Ronald Koeman in 2016, and despite the additions of Danny Ings, Mo Elyounoussi and Stuart Armstrong during the summer transfer window the issue doesn’t appear to have been eradicated – they have only scored six times in the top flight thus far.
Why should Saints target Smith?
While the 47-year-old has never managed in the Premier League he would undoubtedly help Southampton, who must make their January priority to sell 25-year-old midfielder, fans fall back in love with their club with the exciting brand of football that his teams play.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”302265″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts The Icelandic Coutinho & The Scottish Ronaldo”]
The Bees are exciting to watch – as shown by their 19 goals in 11 Championship fixtures so far this term – while they have been in and around the play-off picture during the previous three campaigns under Smith despite massive competition they face from some huge clubs like Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, to name but a few.
Saints fans have been missing that entertainment and excitement at St Mary’s for a while now, and Smith could get the team playing the brand of football that those supporters want to see their side playing in the Premier League.