How Southampton chiefs view start to season under Will Still amid ‘pressure on’ verdict

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EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal how the Southampton hierarchy feel about the start to the season under Will Still.

Southampton have won just one of their opening six Championship games so far this season under Still.

Last weekend, Hull City beat Southampton 3-1 before Liverpool beat Still’s side in the Carabao Cup 2-1 to continue their winless streak.

Unfortunately for Still, Southampton face Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon as the Saints boss looks to turn around their form against the league leaders.

The pressure is on Still at Southampton, and EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal the internal thoughts of the St Mary’s hierarchy regarding the Saints boss and his future.

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Exclusive: Southampton chiefs will remain patient with Will Still

In our early 2025/26 Championship predictions, we at EFL Analysis backed Southampton to be automatic promotion favourites this season, but their start under Still has been extremely lacklustre.

Still wants Southampton to stop conceding soft goals, but their attacking play under the former RC Lens boss has been sub-standard, given the litany of attacking talents in their squad.

Now, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal with information from our Chief Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that the Southampton hierarchy will remain patient with Still and are confident they will be in contention by January on his watch.

Bailey explained: “It was a long search for the manager, and then they got him. There’s going to be patience with him.

“Of course, he’s got a new squad. They’re getting used to his system. Obviously, they’d love to be top of the table, maximum points, but it’s just not how football works.

“It’s one of those where the pressure is on him, it clearly is, but there’s no inclination that they’re ready to part ways.

“It’s a project they’ve got there, they’re not ready to do anything and they’re not even thinking of making a change at this point.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
17	IpswichIpswich	5	1	3	1	9	5	4	6
18	BlackburnBlackburn	5	2	0	3	5	5	0	6
19	SouthamptonSouthampton	6	1	3	2	7	9	-2	6
20	Oxford UnitedOxford United	6	1	2	3	9	10	-1	5

“Let’s see where we are at the turn of the year. They fully expect to be in contention before January. And it won’t take much.

“It’s just a bit of a blip with a new manager getting used to things. That’s the way they see it.”

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Will Still may struggle to turn it around for Southampton against Middlesbrough

Southampton host table-toppers Middlesbrough this weekend in a particularly pertinent affair for Finn Azaz, who left Boro for St Mary’s this summer for £12m.

In EFL Analysis’ Championship score predictions for game week 7, we have backed Edwards to roll on with a 2-1 win on the South Coast.

Ironically, ahead of the season, many second tier supporters backed Southampton to be the high flyers and for Boro to struggle under Edwards, but the opposite has come to fruition so far this season.

With the Saints struggling to be prolific enough in front of goal, coming up against Edwards back-three system and one of the Championship’s most resolute backlines will be difficult.

Equally, if Hull can put three past Southampton with ease then the likes of £6.5m signing David Strelec and ever-dangerous Tommy Conway will fancy their chances on Saturday.

Although patience remains with Still, as we saw with Ruben Selles at Sheffield United, one or two losses can change everything in the Championship.