Southampton manager Ivan Juric has issued a rallying cry to his squad, urging them to fight for their pride and ensure they do not become the worst team in Premier League history.
With only nine points from 29 matches, the Saints sit at the bottom of the table, 17 points adrift of safety and staring relegation in the face.
The record for the lowest points tally in Premier League history belongs to Derby County, who finished with just 11 points during the 2007-08 season. Juric is determined to avoid his team slipping into such infamy.
“The team has to be competing and try to do our best. We have to be really motivated,” Juric said ahead of Southampton’s clash with FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace on Wednesday. “I don’t want it to be that we are the worst team in the history of Premier League.”
While Southampton have lost their last five Premier League matches, Juric remains optimistic about the team’s potential to improve.
“If we can be not the last on the table, we have to do our best. I think we are in good shape, we can do it, and we will try to win the match,” he added.
Southampton’s uphill battle against an in-form Crystal Palace team led by Oliver Glasner presents a significant challenge. Palace have won four of their last five league matches, with a recent 3-0 FA Cup victory over Fulham marking their fifth consecutive win across all competitions.
The Saints will be without midfielder Will Smallbone, who is sidelined due to a groin injury. However, defenders Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are expected to feature despite picking up knocks during international duty.
