On Saturday Southampton fell to yet another defeat as we made the trip to Craven Cottage to face off against Fulham.
Despite taking the lead through Stuart Armstrong in the 18th minute of the game, defensive issues once again came to the fore and the hosts had fought back to take a 2-1 advantage. A second effort from summer signing Armstrong was soon cancelled out as Aleksandar Mitrovic found his own form to complete a brace and give new manager Claudio Ranieri his first victory at the club.
Whilst Armstrong’s efforts were a small reason to cheer for struggling Southampton fans, Portuguese international Cedric Soares’ post-game interview was something different.
On one hand his honesty is to be admired, but on the other hand, his exact choice of words left an awful lot to be desired.
Alarming admission from Cédric Soares, who says he didn’t think Southampton would beat Fulham even when they were 1-0 up. Mark Hughes under pressure https://t.co/9m9fsilkVE
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) November 25, 2018
It garnered the exact reaction you would’ve expected it to amongst the fanbase about what is wrong at the club at this moment in time.
“We were winning 1-0 and I had a feeling that we get the 1-1 because we were very exposed, and then maybe after 1-1 our head was gone immediately. When we concede we immediately get so down mentally, we get frustrated, maybe afraid to lose.”
That's shocking. The manager and coaching staff are responsible for installing that belief into the players. It seems that Hughes doesn't do that if our starting players don't feel mentally capable to hold any lead. Worrying comment #SaintsFC
— Tom Forder (@tomforder69) November 26, 2018
So Sparky has lost his spark, I guess.
— Simon Rhymun (@simon_rhymun) November 26, 2018
Not surprised… but an alarming admission from a professional footballer. Honest yes but not the time or place.
— Toby White (@SchwinnToby) November 25, 2018
Exactly the right time to say it if you fancy jumping ship in 5 weeks!
— ????⚪️⚽️It’s The Hope That Kills You⚽️⚪️???? (@BePositive81) November 26, 2018
If the management finally catch on that Cedric has a terrible attitude, at least they can drop him! We have plenty other RBs right? Only a shambles of a team would only have one RB #saintsfc
— Joe Bartlett (@Bartjblett) November 26, 2018
Cedric admitted he felt players would crumble after going in the lead… Hughes still remains at the club and our "board" are all clueless and deluded. In the bottom 3 to top it all off… #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/91wLMY44s6
— Jay (@ffsjxy) November 25, 2018
I don’t think Saints will sack Hughes & I’m not sure sacking him is the answer, anyway. Who we’d bring in would be my biggest concern. Let’s see where we are at Xmas. Remember, Hughes kept us up from an almost impossible situation last season. #SaintsFC
— David Brewer (@banisteridol) November 26, 2018
