‘Saints’ Clear Run May Change Their Performance’
- Adam Blackmore provides an insight into Southampton’s form ahead of their visit to King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off)
- The BBC Radio Solent sports editor says a full week of preparation will be of great value to the Saints
- Blackmore was speaking to LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live, which will be live on air from 2pm GMT following the Pre-Match Pint
Since Hasenhüttl’s arrival last month, the Saints have contested eight fixtures, registering two wins, two draws and four defeats in all competitions.
However, Blackmore says the Southampton manager has on only one occasion had a full week to prepare his side for a game, with that encounter seeing them defeat Arsenal 3-2 at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Speaking to LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live, Blackmore said: “They lost at home to Manchester City, but the loss at home to West Ham on Boxing Day was the blow, having beaten Huddersfield and Arsenal.
“They lost a bit of momentum there, then of course, they couldn’t beat Derby in the Cup, but they got a good point at Chelsea. It’s hard to judge.
“Christmas is hard for any team because there’s little time on the training ground. This weekend will be fascinating, because we will see whether the manager has improved them with a week on the training ground.
“They have to start winning games. The only week they had clear was ahead of Arsenal, and they beat Arsenal by improving massively. The manager is looking for that improvement again at King Power Stadium.”
Southampton’s last win at King Power Stadium came in 2007, and the Saints haven’t scored a top-flight goal on Filbert Way since 2003.
For Blackmore, that provides further unpredictability ahead of fixture that will see two teams battling for three precious Premier League points.
“I think if we look at the history books, I’m not sure Southampton have scored a goal there in their last five visits,” he added. “I don’t think they’ve scored at King Power Stadium since both teams were in the Premier League from 2014 onwards.
“I’m expecting a very difficult game. I think Leicester are a better team than some people give them credit for. They are the best of the rest at the moment.
“They’re seventh in the league and top of the teams fighting for that Europa League spot. Leicester have been beaten by Cardiff and they’ve just gone out of the Cup, but they’ve also beat Manchester City and Chelsea. I don’t know what to expect from Leicester.”