Following two consecutive home victories, Southampton aims to replicate their success on the road with upcoming challenging but potentially winnable matches against Watford and Coventry.
The recent back-to-back wins showcased the team’s promotion potential, setting a positive tone for the crucial away fixtures.
As the holiday season approaches with only four games left until Christmas on the Saints’ advent calendar, the first two fixtures involve away matches, starting with Watford on Saturday and followed by the first visit to Coventry City in over a decade on Wednesday.
Watford has improved in recent weeks, securing three wins and a draw in their last five games, propelling them to 27 points. Their confidence, especially at home, forms the foundation for their resurgence. Coventry, positioned 17th with 22 points, appears to be a more manageable opponent on paper. However, they sit in mid-table limbo, with the potential for a couple of victories to catapult them into the promotion frame.
Southampton recognizes the significance of these matches in solidifying their place in the playoff spots and making strides towards the top two positions. In a tightly contested division, where only eight points separate seventh place from just above the relegation zone, every point matters.
Despite Coventry’s strong home form, with just one defeat in nine games, Southampton remains focused on the bigger picture. The team has exhibited resilience at the top of the table, climbing with an impressive record of 8 wins and 3 draws in the last 11 games. However, there is minimal room for error, and the objective is to continue grinding out wins in the competitive league.
The next two games are deemed crucial not only to maintain their playoff standing but also to progress towards the upper echelons of the table. Dropping points against lower-ranked teams has been the only disappointment in the last 11 games, emphasizing the need for consistency and avoiding slip-ups.
Encouragingly, Southampton’s performance is on an upward trajectory, as demonstrated in the recent match against Cardiff. The team’s away form mirrors their home form, and a win at Watford would complete a balanced record of 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats in 10 away games.
With a challenging schedule ahead, featuring four games in the next 14 days and seven in the next 22, the squad’s depth and quality will be tested. Southampton believes in the quantity and quality of their squad, viewing the upcoming period as an opportunity to prove this assertion, not just in the next week but through the New Year.
The team’s resilience and ability to defy doubters in the last two months inspire confidence, and they aim to continue proving critics wrong in the face of potential challenges.
Leave a Reply