The transfer window hasn't even opened yet and Ralph Hasenhuttl is arguably already disappointing Southampton fans after he seemingly confirmed recently that he will continue to utilise Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster as his main goalkeeping options next season.
The Austrian manager admitted to Hampshire Live that:
“I expect a battle in pre-season between Forster and McCarthy to see who is then going to start [the first game].
“If you are allowed to start, it doesn’t mean you also end up as a number one the whole season.
“I want to have this battle. I want to have two goalkeepers that are competing for this position.”
In the most recent Premier League season, McCarthy made 30 appearances, conceding 57 goals and keeping just seven clean sheets, which doesn't make for good reading for the former QPR man.
Forster meanwhile, was given more opportunities to impress in the latter stages of the Premier League season after his impressive displays in the FA Cup and made eight appearances, conceding 11 goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Between them, they would concede 68 goals in the top-flight this season, which was the second-most of any side, with only relegated West Brom conceding more, which is very worrying if you are a Southampton fan.
[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-southampton-transfer-rumours-and-news" title="Read the latest Southampton transfer rumours and news!"]
What is arguably more concerning is that, according to Understat, Southampton were only expected to concede 58.55 goals in the league this season, with their underperformance of 9.45 comfortably the worst of any side in the division.
Therefore, it is difficult to understand why Hasenhuttl is seemingly willing to stick with McCarthy and Forster as his two main options in goal next season, as both have struggled this year.
It also can't help the defence if Saints are constantly changing the goalkeepers, as they need a reliable number one behind them so they can adapt to his style of play.
Unless the Austrian changes his mind and looks to bring in a new goalkeeper as a definite first-choice for next season, he could well be heading for a disastrous 2021/22 campaign. Fans have every right be be upset with this latest decision.
And, in other news... Ralph heading for transfer disaster with £10.8m-rated "machine", Saints fans surely fuming