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Although it hasn't been confirmed, most Premier League fans have come to the conclusion that Southampton FC will be going down. The last time Southampton faced the Championship was in the 2011-2012 season, coming second place behind Reading FC.
Staple teams in the Championship are Birmingham City, Cardiff FC, Bristol City, Coventry City and Millwall. If Southampton were to go down, these would be some of the teams they would be facing. While they currently have 24 points, they need to make the most of every chance they get to win, or draw. The next teams they face are Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool. They need to make the most out of all the games left. While it is seen highly unlikely that they will be staying up, are there any positives to going down to the championship?
A noticeable positive is that the championship teams are much more spread out over the country, which means that away days will be more accessible. In the Premier League, most clubs are in London, or in the North. For Southampton fans, this can make them difficult to get to. However, in the Championship, drives are about an hour away for most people. Looking at the Championship map for the 2022/2023 season, we can see that our closest away days would be Bristol City, Reading and Queen Park Rangers. These can be accessed through direct trains, coaches and cars.
Plymouth Argyle who are coming up to the Championship next season gives the chance for Southampton fans to go along the South West coast.
Secondly, the Championship is arguably more competitive than the Premier League. This is because there are 24 teams, and the mid-table clubs will all have around the same number of points. This season in the Championship, the space between 21st and 16th is only 4 points. And from 12th to 6th, it's only 6 points. The Championship is a lot more tense, as you will constantly be moving up and down the table. One minute you could be 21st, and the next your 15th. The idea of Playoffs for promotion also makes it tense. Teams from 6th to 3rd play to win the spot for promotion. While the Premier League competes for the place to play in the Champions League, most people wouldn't expect their club to get into it every year. This is because it's always dominated by the teams in the Top 6. In the Championship, there is variety every year for who gets promoted and plays in the Playoffs.
Thirdly, tickets to games will be cheaper. This is a positive because it gives the chance to more people to see their team play. At the moment, depending on the team, tickets can be somewhere from £25-£40 at St Marys. The price of tickets will be cheaper, allowing more people to see Southampton play at St Marys.
However, if Southampton were to go down, there will also be players that leave. Players such as Romeo Lavia, Captain James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters, and Theo Wallcot. All these players could be described as staple pieces to each line up. Losing these players will make games unpredictable. If these players leave, they will most likely be replaced by members of the Southampton B team, or the Under 18s squad. But it is hard to see how they will do in the Championship.
Overall, while going down the Championship may have its consequences, it gives Saints the chance to actually win some games. Previously from being in the Premier League, they will be going against teams who have come up from League one. This will give them the chance to work as a team, and get points to get themselves up. But, the players have to show passion, and teamwork to come back up to the Premier League again.
By Libbie Jewell
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