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Will Still has not had the most exciting of starts to his time in charge of Southampton, and their stuttering return to the Championship continued on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints were held by their bitter rivals Portsmouth at St. Mary’s, drawing 0-0 in a contest that lacked chances for both sides.
It’s the first time since 1900 that the South Coast derby has ended in a stalemate, and the point leaves Southampton in the bottom half of the table in 15th, recording just six points from their opening five matches.
Still has picked up just the one win so far in the Championship, and the decision to hire the former Lens manager has not quite gone to plan so far, with supporters unhappy.
Southampton fans left unimpressed with Will Still after poor start
Southampton failed to put too much pressure on Portsmouth throughout the game at St. Mary’s and while they did come out of the blocks in the second half with a bit more vigour, the visitors were not challenged in the defensive third enough.
Still knows that his start to life in charge of the Saints has not been good enough, and fans are already starting to have their patience tested.
Another Southampton fan said: “Still don’t know what Will Still’s style of play is.”
While a third wrote: “Absolutely pathetic. Will Still has been awful so far. Nowhere near good enough.”
Still was liked by Sunderland before they appointed Regis Le Bris, and Black Cats fans are happy to have avoided the Southampton boss: “Watching this Southampton team makes me over the moon we didn’t get Will Still.”
As a second Sunderland supporter said: “I’m glad Will Still ‘rejected’ us because he has Southampton playing absolute s—-. Just trying long ball from the back straight to Pompey.”
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The Saints are struggling to be clinical under Will Still
Stifling opposition clubs with constant possession and passing is what Still wants from his Saints team, and while they were forced into a different game plan by Portsmouth in the first half, that style is exactly what we have seen so far this season.
However, it has not quite brought the results yet – despite Southampton having the highest average possession in the Championship in 2025/26 with 59%.
Only Coventry City (11.4) have a higher xG than the Saints (10.2), but Still’s team have found the back of the net only six times, showing that they have been wasteful in the final third.
There is a lot of work to be done in the next few weeks as St. Mary’s if this side is to become a promotion contender, but with just a few minor changes, they may be closer than first thought.