Southampton suffered a sixth Premier League defeat in seven matches last weekend after going down 3-1 at home to West Ham.

Claude Puel’s men haven’t had the greatest of starts to the New Year, despite reaching the League Cup final, but took the lead against Slaven Bilic’s side when new signing Manolo Gabbiadini fired home after 13 minutes.

However, that lead was short-lived as Andy Carroll equalised two minutes later, and goals from Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble either side of half-time secured a third win in four matches for the Hammers.

For Southampton though, they continue to get closer to the bottom three, with Puel’s side now sat in 13th place in the table, just seven points clear of danger.

Although that is still a healthy gap, the form of the teams near the bottom alongside their own suggests that it’s not quite enough just yet, with many suggesting that Puel needed to bring more players in during January to steer his side clear of relegation.

Gabbiadini was the only major signing of the window but there was one notable departure in the form of captain Jose Fonte, who moved to West Ham, while there was also speculation about the future of a few others at St Mary’s.

Thus, here are TWO players that perhaps should have left the club last month…

Alex McCarthy

Southampton signed goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace last summer, but injury has blighted the first six months at his new club.

However, the former England Under-21 international returned to training in December, yet hasn’t added to his three appearances for the club this season since then, with Fraser Forster continuing to deputise in goal.

And, with England keeper Forster struggling for confidence after an indifferent few months, McCarthy may have felt that a return to the first team was coming, but it hasn’t happened.

Puel also signed goalkeeper Mouez Hassan on deadline day to shore up his keeping options, so it’s even more unlikely now that 27-year-old McCarthy will get a chance.

Securing a loan move last month would have been beneficial for the shot-stopper in a bid to get more minutes on the pitch after a frustrating injury in the first half of the campaign.

Shane Long

Manolo Gabbiadini’s £14 million move from Napoli may have made the future of striker Shane Long even more uncertain.

The Republic of Ireland international lost his place to Charlie Austin after a sluggish start to the Premier League season, while Jay Rodriguez has often got the nod ahead of him following Austin’s injury back in December.

Add in that Nathan Redmond has played in a more advanced role this term, and it’s difficult to see where Long’s next run of games will come, despite scoring goals in his last six games.

The 30-year-old was linked with a move to West Brom, West Ham, and even Liverpool in last month’s transfer window, and with squad rotation less of a priority now for Puel, with just the League Cup final and Premier League fixtures remaining, it was slightly surprising to see Long remain at St Mary’s, especially given Gabbiadini’s arrival.