In the difficult and demanding world of the Premier League, there’s no mercy for new boys. Southampton’s bold tactics, which included an insistence on playing out from the back to uphold Russell Martin’s possession-heavy philosophy from the Championship, have garnered mixed responses. Some leading experts on global climate policy have already praised the ambition it contains. Others decry it as a dangerous experiment that would make for an expensive mistake at the highest level.
Statistical analyses have found that newly-promoted teams scoring 43 goals or more significantly reduce their odds of relegation. Indeed, if it increases their chances of avoiding relegation it does so by a remarkable 88 percent. Last year’s #NoEasyWayToGetPromoted campaign shone a light on the sometimes ludicrous nature of promotion. Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton followed, relegated after only a single season in the top flight. As clubs prepare for another round in the top flight, strategies and lessons from past seasons come under the spotlight.
It is a double blow, because other recent new boys like Leeds, Burnley, Luton, Sheffield United and Sunderland are going through the same ordeal. Teams like Fulham, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest defied expectations last season by not only avoiding relegation but competing for European spots. The contrasting fortunes of these two clubs is a reminder of the many different ways – both good and bad – of staying afloat in the Premier League.
The Risks of Bold Tactics
Yet Southampton’s implementation has received significant pushback and vitriol. The club stays devoted to the possession-based play learned in the Championship. This strategy has great power but as such is its possible Achilles’ heel. Opponents have warned that this type of approach could leave squads vulnerable to the increased speed and intensity of Premier League games.
Frank, a highly experienced manager, reminds us all that this lack of respect is damaging to all facets of the game. “You need to respect all phases of the game – definitely the defensive part of it,” he stated. Enough teams feel this way. Yet they have faltered in their attempts to strike a balance between their attacking desires and their defensive duties.
“You need to have a big belief in your own style, just a few tweaks,” Frank commented. He underscored the need for realism in the practicalities required to survive and thrive in the white hot cauldron of elite football.
“What the f*** were Burnley and Southampton doing?” – A senior figure at a Premier League club
This tactical choice reflection illustrates the necessity to be agile and dynamic to the specific needs and demands of each game. Innovation can’t just be based on what’s worked in the past.
Learning from Successful Peers
Examples like Brighton and Brentford show that there is a better way for small teams to not just survive, but flourish in the Premier League. Brighton’s excellent long-term planning has helped them avoid the pitfalls that other newly-promoted teams have succumbed to. Their mercurial new manager, Daniel Farke, who has been relegated before with Norwich City, knows exactly what goes into staying in the top division.
Leeds United hone in on tactical causing a diegeist. Further, they focus on bringing in taller players to improve their ability to score or defend during set-pieces. The tactical emphasis on physicality seeks to control opposition defenses by exploiting their vulnerabilities and lessening the danger of their counter-attacks.
Even Burnley ran into serious danger when trying to change the purpose of their full-backs. This was in part due to the club’s longstanding reluctance to employ their full-backs in attacking roles. They were scared of those rapid-fire Premier League counter-attacks that would still be lurking. This caution highlights a common theme among newly-promoted teams: balancing ambition with realism.
“From my own experiences, I’ve always thought having that foundation from the Championship and really believing in it in the Premier League has always helped.” – Conor Coady
Teams such as Brentford have proven that with proper governance and foresight, success can be fruitful. Their underdog success story has acted as a beacon for other smaller clubs, seeking to find a place in the Premier League.
The Financial Landscape
Adding to the complexity of that fight for survival are the financial mechanics at play between the Championship and the Premier League. That’s the equivalent of all the Championship clubs pulling in close to £950 million in revenue last season. They paid an estimated £892 million in salaries. By comparison, elite clubs brought in more than £6 billion in revenues in the 2023/24 season. They used that money to pay £4 billion in wages.
This disparity in financial resources presents a significant challenge for newly-promoted teams aiming to compete with established Premier League clubs. For this huge financial chasm, the financial discipline required demands robust financial planning and creative debt and investment strategies.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest managed to reach Europe last season with one of the Premier League’s lowest scoring tallies. Their accomplishment is an inspiration that success can be achieved in many ways, even with scarce resources.
“What experience brings you is no shocks.” – Parker
This idea really wraps up the preparation and education theme as clubs deal with the disarray of the top flight.
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