Former Southampton defender Steven Caulker has called on the club’s players to focus on personal pride and repay the club and its supporters in the remaining games of the season, following their early relegation from the Premier League. Caulker, who has experienced relegation twice in his career, emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism and delivering performances worthy of the club’s history.
Caulker, speaking to the BBC, reflected on the challenging situation Southampton finds itself in. He acknowledged the emotional toll of relegation but stressed the need for players to stand up and give their best in the remaining fixtures.
Steven Caulker said:
“I wouldn’t want to be in that dressing room right now. I’ve been relegated, but not as early as Southampton. You are playing for personal pride in the last games. You expect the senior players to stand up now and rally the boys to put in some decent performances. The players who made a transfer to Southampton took a risk, they knew the odds were stacked against them. They are in that boat together. Some might get a transfer out of this. The most important thing if you’re in that dressing room now is personal pride. They have to roll their sleeves up and give the fans something to cheer about. Then they can talk to their agents in the summer and see where the club is at.”
Caulker, who made eight appearances for Southampton during a loan spell, also pointed out the financial implications for the club, suggesting that some high-earning players may be moved on during the summer transfer window. The former defender highlighted the managerial instability at the club, with Ivan Juric and Russell Martin both struggling to secure victories during their respective tenures.
Steven Caulker continued:
“There will be players there earning a lot of money. Sacked manager Ivan Juric won just one of his 14 Premier League games, and promotion-winning boss Russell Martin also claimed a solitary victory. They have been (woeful). Listening to the pain in Ramsdale’s voice, I can relate. It’s not a nice feeling. You feel you have let the fans down. You look around the dressing room and feel you have let your teammate down because we all make mistakes. Those moments add up, and it leads to relegation. It’s a really tough place to be. Ramsdale has had a tough couple of years. Commiserations to him and the team.”
As Southampton looks to the future, technical director Johannes Spors has outlined the club’s requirements for a new manager, emphasizing an intense style of play. Caulker’s comments serve as a reminder of the difficult road ahead for Southampton, as they aim to rebuild and return to the Premier League.
Steven Caulker added:
“(Southampton) haven’t been good enough this year. The change in manager hasn’t made any improvement. They’ve been down for a while. Getting confirmation is another punch in the gut. The hardest part of all of this is that they still have seven games to play. They still have to put the shirt on, put in the performances that they are getting paid for. They are professionals, they owe that to the club. That’s a tough place to be.”
As the season draws to a close, Southampton’s players are tasked with not only finishing the campaign with dignity but also setting the foundation for a potential resurgence in the future.
