How Sunderland and Leeds United have put Southampton’s Premier League efforts to shame

Add as preferred source on Google

If you thought Southampton’s Premier League campaign in 2024/25 was bad, this incredible Sunderland and Leeds United statistic really puts it into perspective.

Southampton gained promotion in 2023/24 via the play-offs, at the expense of Leeds United, funnily enough.

However, the Saints well and truly wasted their time in the Premier League. In the end, they accrued just 12 points, narrowly avoiding the unwanted accolade of matching the lowest points tally in the top flight.

Now, Premier League fans are watching Sunderland and Leeds strut their stuff at the top level. And, we’ve already seen a much stronger showing from the promoted pair than Southampton showed all season.

• READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday ace Yan Valery fires dig Southampton fans will love after win vs Portsmouth

Sunderland and Leeds United have outdone Southampton already

Southampton’s 2024/25 campaign is one they would probably rather forget, but we’re going to bring it up one more time.

The Saints won just two games all season as Russell Martin, Ivan Juric, and caretaker manager Simon Rusk tried and failed to keep the South Coast club in the division.

It took them ten games to win their first game (a 1-0 win at home to Everton). It was not until matchday 24 that they won their second, with an away victory against Ipswich Town.

But, anyone looking to blame the dismal effort on the gulf between the Championship and Premier League should think again.

You only have to look at what Sunderland and Leeds are doing right now in the top flight to see that newly-promoted teams can actually thrive in the Premier League.

Interestingly, Sunderland are currently in seventh place with eight points from their first five games. Leeds United have amassed seven points in the same period.

It took Southampton 24 games to surpass that points tally. Let that sink in.

Both Sunderland and Leeds have recruited well this summer and have approached their time in the top flight with verve, ambition, and a real identity on the pitch. There’s no telling if either team will survive come May, but they’re clearly giving it a really good go, and that’s refreshing to see.

• READ MORE: Southampton fans share huge frustration with ‘worst signing’ after bitter Hull City loss

Southampton have gone backwards severely over the last 12 months

When Southampton got promoted in 2023/24, they did so playing lovely football in the Championship and having a real togetherness and team spirit carrying them through.

All of that has totally dissipated now. Obviously, that relegation campaign will dampen the spirits, but with so much churn within the squad, there’s really no excuse for there not to be more of a fresh start unfolding at St. Mary’s right now.

Will Still said his team are going nowhere if they keep defending so poorly. The truth is, they’re not really doing anything well at the moment. He also said Southampton don’t believe they can score goals after the Hull City defeat. All in all, that’s a pretty sorry state of affairs.

Interestingly, French football experts predicted Still would struggle at Southampton. He’s yet to really put his stamp on the team and the style of play he wants to see, which has fans more than a little frustrated.

We’re sure Still will be given sufficient time to turn things around, especially given the money Southampton spent this summer. But, there simply has to be some improvement soon, or those hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League will be long gone.