Hughes' record compared to Pellegrino is a big concern

By Josh Challies

Southampton have struggled at the start of the 2018-19 season under Mark Hughes, with their performances suggesting another struggle lies ahead.

The Saints have been ever-present in the Premier League since 2012 but a slow start raises fears that relegation could be on the cards at St. Mary’s unless a major improvement takes place.

Eight games into the campaign, Southampton have just one win to their name and have lost five of their opening matches.

The biggest concern is that defeats against Leicester City, Everton and Wolves could all have been seen as winnable matches for Mark Hughes’ side and a comparison to their start last season throws up plenty of reasons to be worried.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

12 months ago, Southampton were sat 11th in the Premier League standings with nine points from their opening eight games and losing three – the same amount as Arsenal and Chelsea both suffered in the early stages of the campaign.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side were certainly not catching the eye with their performances but they were at least keeping themselves in a mid-table position, whereas this season has seen the Saints sinking near the bottom.

Form certainly slipped from there, as Southampton won just two of their next 17 matches, but the comparison suggests that remaining with Hughes could cause irreparable damage.