New Southampton boss Ivan Juric watched from the media seats at Craven Cottage. After being appoint on Saturday

New Southampton boss Ivan Juric saw first-hand how big a job.

He has got on his hands, with even some of his side’s supporters mocking the team’s efforts, despite them gaining a hard-fought goalless draw at in-form Fulham.

At a bitterly cold Craven Cottage, the former Roma boss and ex-Croatia player was an animated presence in the press seats. After he had announced as manager on Saturday, replacing the sacked Russell Martin.

But Juric, sitting alongside members of his coaching staff, had to wait until the 56th minute to see his team have a shot on target, with away fans chanting “we had a shot” after Adam Armstrong’s tame 20-yard strike was straight at home keeper Bernd Leno.

That was only save Leno make and highlighted Southampton weakness up front. Their total of 11 goals from 17 matches is the lowest in the Premier League, with Everton’s tally of 14 the next lowest.

Despite the battling point, Southampton are bottom of the top flight at Christmas for the first time in their history and their six-point tally is the joint-third lowest of any side in the Premier League era, with only Sheffield United (two in 2020-21) and Sunderland (five in 2005-06) having fewer.

Martin was sack last Sunday, shortly. After a humiliating 5-0 home loss to Tottenham. With Spurs scoring all their goals in the first half.

But Juric, 49, will be encouraged by the ufabet https://ufabet999.app organisation. Spirit the Saints show to contain a Fulham side. That had beaten Brighton and gained draws with Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool in their past four games.

Another boost would be the availability, and impact, of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who had missed six weeks because of a finger injury but ensured Southampton would not suffer a 14th league defeat this term.