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Southampton are a club in trouble. They’re currently in the relegation zone, have lost their last two Premier League fixtures and have gone without a win in their last four.

Ralph Hasenhuttl now faces a tough task in saving the Saints’ season. The south coast club have eleven league games left to play and have a tough run of fixtures coming up with three of their next five outings coming against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

If the club are to survive in the top flight then they have to find solutions to the issues currently holding them back on the pitch, and they must do so before it’s too late.

Revert to a back four

Hasenhuttl has preferred a back three system for much of his time in charge at St Mary’s Stadium. However, this tactical setup has brought about some new problems. For a start, most of the Saints’ centre-backs lack the quality to required to pull it off. Whilst it’s easy to assume that they’re granted extra safety in numbers, the lack of an additional midfielder ahead of them means that they’re more exposed. 

Check out the video below for Groundhopping FC’s excellent matchday vlog from the Emirates as Arsenal beat 2-0 Southampton on Sunday…

What’s more, in a back three, the centre-backs must be positive and competent on the ball as it is necessary for moves to be built up from the back. Jack Stephens showed against Arsenal last time out that he is not cut out for this duty as his sloppiness gifted the Gunners a goal.

All the back three gives Southampton is an extra man in their backline capable of making a mistake in a dangerous area.

Get Redmond back out wide

Against the Gunners, Nathan Redmond led the line for Southampton. The 24-year-old attacker brings pace, technical quality and flair to Hasenhuttl’s front line. However, he lacks finishing ability, as he demonstrated with an early squandered chance at the Emirates Stadium.

In a wide role, Redmond’s attributes can be put to far more effective use. With someone like Danny Ings or Charlie Austin playing centrally instead, who are both more capable of putting chances away, Redmond can focus on creating rather than finishing opportunities

Push Ward-Prowse forward

One of the few highlights for Southampton in recent weeks has been the form of James Ward-Prowse. The midfielder has scored three goals in his last six league appearances, as per Transfermarkt’s stats. He came close to notching another with a well-struck effort against Arsenal that whistled just wide.

Whilst Ward-Prowse is in such prolific form and brimming with confidence Hasenhuttl should encourage him to play in a more advanced role. By playing off the striker, and taking up spaces in the final third, the 24-year-old ought to get plenty more chances to add to his tally.