Southampton

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Southampton's defeat ensured their t worst ever start to a league campaign and on this evidence it is hard to see how they can arrest their dismal form.

With just one point collected from a possible 18, a trip to title hopefuls Arsenal awaits at the weekend and there are serious issues for manager Russell Martin to address at both ends of the pitch.

Not only have his side managed a meagre three goals this term - the lowest in the Premier League - only Everton and Wolves have conceded more than the 12 goals Saints have shipped to date.

In a recurring theme this term they caused their own downfall with some charitable defending and by putting themselves under pressure attempting to play out from the back.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis was caught on his heels for Bournemouth's opener but even worse that several of his team-mates were not even facing play or alive to the possibility of a quickly-taken free-kick.

The visitors were also far too ive for Bournemouth's second and third goals and in truth were deservedly beaten for the way they collapsed in 10-minute period before half time.

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Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Bournemouth host Southampton at 20:00 on Monday.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

I can't see past Bournemouth here. I actually think they carry a threat, even when they were being hammered in the first half against Liverpool.

I just feel like they will have too much firepower for Southampton, who were desperately unlucky not to hold on and beat Ipswich last week.

Saints are another team who desperately need that first win, but they are not getting it here.

Paul's prediction: It is hard to back against a Bournemouth home win. Again it feels like they are one of those sides like Brentford who play some good stuff and they are not necessarily rewarded for it. 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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There has been a lot of conversation this week about "dark arts" in football following the draw between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday.

Realistically, everyone who has watched football for longer than one game has seen things they would perceive as "dark arts"; whether it is a player always going down winning free-kicks to take the sting out of the game, kicking the ball into row Z when there was no multi-ball system or time-wasting on goal-kicks.

These are things we see all the time but our perception of it is dependent on the context of a game. You always see some version of it somewhere, and you hope your team would be doing the same thing if in the same situation - because why should you do something that would benefit the opposition you are against?

It is the same as going down a bit more easily to win penalties - some people will say "this guy is a cheat", but then on the other side of their mouth, if it is something that could benefit them, they say "he has tried too hard to stay up, he needed to go down there".

You can have rulings, Ifab can get involved to change this and that, but there will always be a way to push the rules to their limits.

What we saw with Arsenal in that game, where David Raya sat down to get some treatment while the teams gathered, we have seen those moments before. It is not just new to Arsenal - other teams do it.

It is always based on certain moments. You do get more frustrated if it happens against you, but when you need to do it, you encourage people to do it. That is one of the beauties of football - the way you see things is always going to be down to perception, context and just whether you think it is benefiting you or not.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright

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We asked you what one thing nobody is talking about but really should be when it comes to Southampton?

Here are some of your comments:

Danny: Now is not the time for knee jerk reactions. The first couple of games were unacceptable from an effort and tactics point of view. However, as Russ proved last year he will learn and get it right. The last performance was much better. I believe once we get a win, deserved or not, they will flow and Russ is the man to keep us up with the squad he has built.

Lynne: We might not have Premier League quality players but we have an excellent set up, manager, coaching staff and a squad that are happy. Tweaks need to be made but with all the newcomers, Martin needs time. Fans need to get behind the team and have faith.

Stuart: Sacking Martin would be ridiculous. Five games in? We play attractive football and have competed in every game. A proven goalscorer is all we need. Midfield and defence are fine. Get behind the team and act like ers!

Matthew: The lack of points is disappointing, there’s no denying that, but overall I’m not too worried about relegation at this stage. The performances have been strides ahead of how we performed during our relegation season two years ago. Now we’ve started to cut out mistakes at the back, taking chances in the oppositions’ box is the next point of focus.

Jack: Russell Martin is a brilliant manager and should not be sacked. Set us up perfectly against Newcastle, United and Ipswich, making some bold calls in the way that almost all paid off. It’s the players to blame, never Russell. In my opinion the board shouldn’t sack him just like how we should’ve never sacked Hasenhuttl.

Arthur: We need to trust the process, we are getting better each week and have lots of individual talents that can keep us up such as Dibling.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• "The team news is very much the same, I have just got to pick the right team to win the game," said Martin.

• Asked how much of his work with his players this season will be about psychology, Martin said the "psychological game is the most important bit".

• He later added: "I'm learning more all the time about the group and we're learning more about what's required at this level. I hope, in the five games we've had, they have enough to know that to feel fear of the Premier League, certain players and teams is completely natural - but you have to embrace it and really seize the opportunity we have. I feel more and more that they are doing that and the results will follow."

• Martin said teenager Tyler Dibling's "ceiling is so high" if he continues his current rate of progression: "He has an incredible belief in himself, in a humble, modest way. He has to just keep giving 100% and understand what has got him this far. At this moment he couldn't play for every team, he suits the way we play a lot, and he's getting so much better at the stuff he needs to improve on."

• Martin added: "He needs to continue to grow and develop and stay so hungry - that's always a challenge with young players when they have a quick rise. With Tyler, I don't see that being a problem."

• Saints boss Martin said of Monday's opponents: "Andoni Iraola has done a brilliant job, but it took him some time, in the same way it has taken us a bit of time to adapt and adjust. They had a bumpy start under Andoni but they've been brilliant ever since and they've kept building on it."

• On the local derby element of the match, Martin added: "The fans will be desperate for us to go there and put in a performance, but not just because of the locality of the team we're playing against - we want to win. I haven't been given any extra motivation by anyone here and I haven't placed any extra onus on the game because of that."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Southampton and Bournemouth defender Kevin Bond says he expects Monday night's south coast derby between the two sides to be a "tight" game.

Saints are still searching for their first win since returning to the Premier League while the Cherries are looking to respond after back-to-back defeats at home to Chelsea and last time out at Liverpool.

"I think it will be tight," Bond told the Saints and Sinners podcast. "With the exception of Liverpool, in all of Bournemouth's games they've been right in it. Five points from their first five games - they look all right for me to be fair. I thought the comeback against Everton after being two down was terrific. I thought that would have done them the world of good.

"Sitting here right now I don't fear for Bournemouth, I do a little bit for Southampton though. It will be a tight game, they always are, and a good occasion. I wouldn't want to call it at the moment."

As a player, Bond represented the Cherries in the old second and third divisions and went on to manage the club in League One and briefly in League Two between October 2006 and September 2008 during a period of deep financial struggle at the club which saw a series of heavy points deductions.

Now an established Premier League team with aspirations of consistent top half finishes, Bond is impressed with Bournemouth's rise and believes they have possibly overtaken their South Coast rivals.

"It's remarkable where Bournemouth have come from," he said. "But, through the previous and current owner, they have bought well, they pay players well and pay big money for them players. That doesn't necessarily guarantee you anything and Bournemouth have spent well.

"It wasn't until recent years that Bournemouth have been, quite literally, in the same league as Southampton and now they've arguably overtaken them.

"In truth, it is very much is a derby now."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton have conceded the most goals from corners (four) and set pieces (five) in general in the Premier League this season.

They are also one of four teams, including Monday's opponents Bournemouth, who are yet to score a goal from a set piece in 2024-25.

The latest episode of the Saints and Sinners podcast has landed.

Radio Solent's Jono Holmes is ed by former Southampton and Bournemouth player Kevin Bond to discuss the south coast showdown on Monday.

He also catches up with St Mary's Stadium DJ Martin Starke.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup fourth round, with 12 Premier League clubs having made it through and Newcastle set to play their postponed tie against Wimbledon on 1 October.

There are four confirmed all-Premier League fixtures, including Tottenham hosting Manchester City and holders Liverpool travelling to Brighton.

Ties are scheduled to take place the week commencing 28 October.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:

• Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday

• Southampton v Stoke

• Tottenham v Manchester City

• AFC Wimbledon/Newcastle v Chelsea

• Manchester United v Leicester

• Brighton v Liverpool

• Preston North End v Arsenal

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

See the full draw

One draw and four defeats for Southampton from their opening five games with debate raging about the suitability of Russell Martin's style of play for the top flight.

However, they were seconds away from a first win last time out against Ipswich and youngster Tyler Dibling is impressing, notching his first goal for the club.

But you're the experts when it comes to the Saints so we want you to tell us, what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?

Have your say over here, external