Promoted clubs finding Premier League a step too far

LONDON – Southampton’s wretched return to the English Premier League could yet make them the worst team in its history and, while the other two promoted clubs have done marginally better, a worrying trend is emerging.

With only nine points from 27 games, the Saints look doomed and surpassing the record-low 11 points Derby County managed in 2007-08 seems their only target.

Leicester City and Ipswich Town could yet survive but, with 17 points apiece, they are five behind 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who look far stronger.

In all probability, the three promoted clubs will get relegated for the second successive season, after Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town went down in 2023-24, despite Nottingham Forest and Everton receiving points deductions.

From 1998-99 until 2022-23, at least one of the promoted clubs managed to survive. But it is becoming harder and harder to bridge the gap between the Championship and the Premier League.

Should the current bottom three all perish, it will mean 10 of the last 15 promoted sides have gone straight back down.

In the 2020-21 campaign, two of the promoted clubs went down and it was the same the following season. The trend was bucked in 2022-23 when Fulham, Bournemouth and Forest survived and continue to thrive.

Last season, the promoted trio managed less than 0.6 points per game (PPG) combined and Luton’s total of 26 was the worst by a team finishing 18th in Premier League history.

That PPG average is even worse this season for the bottom three and is heading for a record low.

Southampton failed to win any of their first nine games and Ipswich their first 10. Former Premier League champions Leicester initially held their own but have collapsed, losing 11 of their last 12.

Perhaps it should be no surprise. Southampton, Ipswich