Not many sides can emerge from the other side of a 9-0 defeat in a better position than they were heading into it, yet Southampton are proving just that.
Since that fateful Friday night in October, the Saints have managed credible results against Manchester City, one of which saw Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side lead the game against the reigning Premier League champions for over an hour, as well as claiming seven points against Arsenal, Watford, and Norwich City.
Southampton have turned around their fortunes massively since their record-breaking loss to Leicester City, and speaking to The Times (subscription needed), James Ward-Prowse has admitted that the defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ side was the wake-up call the squad needed.
And the Saints academy graduate has been the focal point of this stunning turnaround in fortunes for Southampton, with the 25-year-old midfielder scoring against in three of the south coast side’s last four Premier League games, one of which was the winner against Watford.
Is James Ward-Prowse's Southampton's most important player?
Yes, we'd be lost without him
No, there are others who are more important
Ward-Prowse admitted: “It could have been a season-changing moment. It was a moment to say: ‘Hang on, we need to be better to stay in the league.’ Everybody felt embarrassed but there was not a feeling that everyone had thrown the towel in. It was a good learning experience and one we want to make sure never happens again. It was a wake-up call for everybody.”
Indeed, Southampton are more than proving that they are putting their heads down in the Premier League and starting to fight for the points they so desperately need heading into one of the most important periods of the season.
Most sides would crumble following a 9-0 defeat at home, but Southampton are showing they have the willpower to claw their way back from one of the most embarrassing losses of the season, and there seems to be more to come from the Saints in the upcoming weeks.
