ORIOL Romeu conceded “if we carry on like this we could really struggle” and is expecting changes made to the Saints squad this summer.

The transfer window opens in just two weeks with the St Mary’s faithful anticipating a busy first summer under new owners Sport Republic.

The club looked to be making quick progress in 2022 and was targeting a first top-half finish under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, but that is not how it transpired.

Saints finished in 15th in the Premier League for a second consecutive season, but even amassed three points fewer (40) than last season’s total.

Read more - Southampton part ways with three of Hasenhuttl's coaching staff

A number of positions have emerged as problem areas with the expiry of contracts and loan deals, and the lack of fight shown in Saints’ final 12 league games leaves Romeu anticipating player overhaul.

“When you are not getting results there is always going to be changes,” the Spaniard admitted. “Especially at the end of the season when there is the window and you can look around and reinforce some areas if you want to.

Daily Echo: Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu is under contract only until summer 2023 (Pic: PA)Saints midfielder Oriol Romeu is under contract only until summer 2023 (Pic: PA)

“The way we are playing has not been good enough, and we want to head into a better direction and right now it looks like if we carry on this we could really struggle, which is not a feeling you want to have.

“There could be changes, we don’t know, we don’t make these decisions but I’m pretty sure that will happen.”

The Daily Echo understands sources close to the club expect a 'very busy' summer, with players targeted in 'pretty much every position'.

The 30-year-old midfielder, whose own contract is set to expire in June 2023, made his 36th Premier League appearance of the season in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Leicester City.

“It was heartbreaking to see our fans chanting and singing, being loud and going home with a 4-1 defeat,” he added.

“It hurts everyone at the club and hurts them as well. It is annoying to go into the summer now with this defeat.”

Saints were on the receiving end of a refereeing error and player confusion with the two sides deadlocked at 0-0, at King Power Stadium.

James Maddison scored the opener minutes into the second-half after Jon Moss had mistakenly awarded a drop-ball in Leicester’s favour, with Saints in possession when play was halted.

It was sent forward by Leicester goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, pressed by Jamie Vardy and finished by his compatriot. Hasenhuttl confirmed after the match he asked Brendan Rodgers to give his team the goal back in the interest of respect, but this did not happen.

Daily Echo: Ralph Hasenhuttl in discussion with referee Jon Moss at full-time (Pic: PA)Ralph Hasenhuttl in discussion with referee Jon Moss at full-time (Pic: PA)

“There were a few things that didn’t go our way, we don’t need to talk too much about decisions and what happened but what we need to do better is once we get that first goal,” Romeu insisted,

“But coming back into the game at 2-1 and conceding one or two minutes after, what are you going to do in these moments, you need to keep yourself alive in the game and give yourself some options to come back into the game.”

“Very weird,” he added on the Foxes’ opener, though. “We are still talking about it and don’t really understand it.

“I tried to block Jamie Vardy and he said I kicked him, I was blocking him. He (Moss) gave them the ball and I don’t know why, because we had it.

“It is still our mistake, we gave it away too easily and it was an easy chance for them to score. Then probably from that goal everything changed.”

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