Southampton manager Ivan Juric has commended Joe Aribo for his professionalism and adaptability but admitted his tactical decision backfired in their 4-0 defeat to Brighton.
With Southampton dealing with a defensive injury crisis, Aribo has been deployed in an unfamiliar left-sided defensive role.
While he impressed in that position against Ipswich, the Saints suffered consecutive heavy defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Chelsea.
Juric, speaking ahead of their next fixture, acknowledged that asking Aribo to continue in the role was a mistake.
“A great guy (Aribo). Against Ipswich, he did really well. He gave me the option to play him there and of course, he can do it one game or forty-five minutes, not every game,” Juric admitted.
Reflecting on the Brighton defeat, Juric took full responsibility for the tactical error, recognizing that his gamble had backfired.
“It was my bad decision against Brighton to put him again there, I don’t want to change. The only thing I can say bad about myself is that I did wrong in that game.”
Despite the recent struggles, Aribo has been one of Southampton’s bright spots this season.
The Nigerian midfielder has contributed three goals in 31 appearances across all competitions and remains a key figure as they battle relegation.
Aribo’s performances have also earned him a spot in Nigeria’s 39-man provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
With the final squad set to be announced in the coming days by coach Eric Chelle, Aribo faces an uphill battle to make the cut, as his chances of securing a spot appear slim.
Meanwhile, Southampton’s survival hopes look bleak as they sit bottom of the Premier League table with just nine points from 27 matches.
Their next challenge is a daunting trip to face league leaders Liverpool at Anfield, where they will need an inspired performance to avoid another heavy defeat.
The Saints have endured a dismal campaign, sitting rock bottom of the table with just nine points after 27 matches, having lost all but five of their games.
With Juric facing immense pressure and the team struggling for form, Southampton will need a near-perfect performance to stand any chance against a rampant Liverpool side that looks unstoppable in their pursuit of the title.
