The Saints Stand on the Brink of History – Who are the worst team in Premier League history?
When Derby County finished the 2007-08 season with a dismal 11 points, many thought that record would remain untouched forever. The Rams’ campaign was the stuff of nightmares, with heavy losses and an almost comical inability to collect points, making them the poster boys for Premier League failure. They became the answer to the question: Who are the worst team in Premier League history?
However, fast forward 17 years, and Southampton now find themselves teetering on the edge of a similar fate. With just 10 points from their first 30 matches, the Saints are dangerously close to breaking that infamous 11-point record, and many are wondering if they could replace Derby as the worst team in Premier League history. While they still have eight matches to play, relegation could be confirmed as early as Sunday if they lose to Tottenham Hotspur.
So, how close are Southampton to becoming the new “worst-ever Premier League team,” and how do Derby fans feel about possibly losing their unwanted crown? Let’s take a closer look at the situation.
The Derby County Nightmare – A Record That Lingered for Years
Derby County’s 2007-08 season was nothing short of a disaster. They won just one game, scored 20 goals, and ended the season with a goal difference of -69. The Rams were utterly outclassed in almost every game, suffering humiliating losses to top clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, with some defeats by as much as five goals.
For Derby, it was a season of humiliation, and many players openly admitted that they were already defeated mentally. “We threw the towel in,” said Andy Todd, one of Derby’s players during that campaign. Manager Paul Jewell later confessed that he was warned against taking the job in the first place.
“It was like being in a pantomime at times,” said Derby fan Amelia Warren. “We had chants like ‘let’s pretend we scored a goal,’ and ‘you’re nothing special – we lose every week.’” As tough as it was, Derby fans did their best to make light of the situation. “If we didn’t laugh, we’d cry,” Warren added.
Despite the horror show on the pitch, Derby County’s loyal supporters still turned out in force, selling out their stadium week after week. “It was awful, no doubt about it, but the fans stuck by us,” said Jake Barker, creator of the RamsTalk podcast. “We wore that ‘worst team in history’ label as a badge of honour, in a strange way.”
Will Southampton Inherit the Unwanted Crown?
The idea that any team could come close to Derby’s infamous record seemed almost unthinkable—until now. Southampton are staring down the barrel of history, with their current tally of 10 points putting them just one behind Derby at the same stage of the season in 2008. The Saints’ relegation could be sealed on Sunday if they lose to Tottenham, meaning the title of worst-ever Premier League team could soon shift from the Rams to the South Coast club.
“I don’t think any Derby fan ever expected anyone to come close, let alone this close,” said Barker. It’s a strange situation for those who remember the misery of 2007-08, but Southampton fans will certainly be hoping to avoid the ignominy of taking the unwanted record.
“Being known as the worst team in Premier League history? That would be a huge burden,” said Nick Webster, another Derby fan. “It would be a monkey off our backs if Southampton did take that title. We’re all hoping they don’t get any more points.”
Indeed, while some Derby fans have embraced their club’s place in history, most would be relieved to pass the torch to Southampton. “That 2007-08 team was a shambles in every sense,” Barker added. “It felt impossible that any team in the modern Premier League, with the money in the game, could get anywhere near that. But if Southampton pull it off, it would be a far worse situation.”
Southampton’s Struggles – More than Just a Bad Season?
For Southampton, the talk of becoming the worst Premier League team ever has added fuel to the fire of an already difficult season. After their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis expressed his frustration. “It’s embarrassing,” he told BBC Radio Solent. “We just want to get over it. It’s not somewhere we expected to be, and we’re not going to shy away from it.”
At least Southampton have one thing going for them – they’ve managed more victories than Derby’s record-low one win. Southampton’s two wins so far may not seem like much, but it’s a slight improvement over Derby’s historic failure. However, things have taken a turn for the worse since manager Russell Martin’s sacking in December. Ivan Juric was brought in with the challenge of steering Southampton clear of relegation – and, perhaps most notably, preventing them from claiming the infamous record.
Juric has made it clear that he wants his team to prove they’re not “the worst team in Premier League history.” But with eight matches remaining, the odds are stacked against them. Southampton’s poor form and lack of consistency have placed them in this precarious position, and Juric’s task will be an uphill battle.
How Likely Is Southampton to Break the Record?
After 30 matches in 2008, Derby County had 10 points – the same amount Southampton currently have. But while the Saints are dangerously close to surpassing Derby’s record, the stats seem to suggest they’ll avoid it. Experts at Opta predict Southampton will finish with at least 15 points by the end of the season, which would see them finish above Derby’s miserable total.
Southampton’s upcoming fixtures offer some hope, particularly their penultimate match against Everton, who are also fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. A win in that match could give the Saints a much-needed boost. Additionally, Southampton will be playing Fulham on April 26, a team they managed to draw with earlier in the season, and they could surprise in that match as well.
However, the path ahead is far from easy. Southampton still face tough games against Tottenham, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Arsenal, with several of those teams still fighting for European places.
Southampton’s Final Matches
- 6 April: Tottenham (a)
- 12 April: Aston Villa (h)
- 19 April: West Ham (a)
- 26 April: Fulham (h)
- 3 May: Leicester (a)
- 10 May: Man City (h)
- 18 May: Everton (a)
- 25 May: Arsenal (h)
Will the Saints Find Redemption, or Will They Be Remembered for All the Wrong Reasons?
Southampton’s survival hopes are hanging by a thread, and they will need to pull off some shock results to stay up and avoid the dubious distinction of being the worst Premier League team in history. But even if they do escape relegation, the fact that they have come this close to breaking Derby’s record is already a significant blow to the club’s reputation.
For Southampton, this season will be remembered for all the wrong reasons – unless they can turn things around. For Derby fans, though, the prospect of losing their infamous crown is bittersweet. It seems that, for now, the title of worst-ever Premier League team might just be too close for comfort for everyone involved.
