Southampton are still on-course to equal Derby County’s record of worst Premier League team ever
Southampton will face Manchester City while trying to salvage dignity from a grim campaign that has seen them relegated, but desperate to avoid the title of worst team in Premier League history.
A single point would save the Saints from matching Derby County’s infamous 11-point tally in 2007/08, which is the current worst in the history of the league. Meanwhile, City head into the tie knowing that a win could all but guarantee them a top-five finish, and with it, Champions League qualification next season.
Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who came through the Manchester City academy, is expected to face his old club on Saturday. But the 23-year-old has said that sentimentality will have to take a back seat to pride, urging his teammates not to go quietly.
“You’re playing in the Premier League, and you’ve got three games left. It’s not something that I’m wishing away or wanting to get over and done with,” Harwood-Bellis told The Daily Echo.
“We’re going to play against Man City and Arsenal. They’re games that you want to play as a kid.”
After facing City, Southampton will face Arsenal, and then go to Goodison Park for Everton’s final game at the ground. However, the focus on Saturday will be getting a result against a rampant City side that have regained some of their old powers in recent weeks.
Even if the Saints take a surprise lead, the script has been written too many times before: no team has dropped more points from winning positions this season (28). They could in fact secure another awful record against City, as one more collapse would mark the first time in the Premier League era that a club has lost 30 points in a single season after going ahead.
“It’s not a situation that’s enjoyable. It’s hard,” said Harwood-Bellis. “I don’t think anyone can say that it’s not hurting us or anything like that.
“Out there and in the dressing room it’s probably the worst I’ve felt. I can see it on the boys’ faces. It’s not a nice feeling to have.”
