A MOMENT of clarity often emerges from situations engrossed in pain but the future remains hazy for Saints despite their confirmation of relegation.

It is probably impossible to determine with absolute certainty the future of two-thirds of its giant playing squad and with it, we also expect a new management team.

Boss Ruben Selles, although publicly he has revealed he is not involved in discussions over next season, will have a clearer idea than many.

And he still has two starting XIs and matchday squads to pick before the sorry season is finally over – matches against European-chasing Brighton and Liverpool.

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READ MORE: How Southampton's ideal starting XI should look in the Championship

Saints will need a united group all behind one clear mission next season in order to bounce back immediately from the Championship and into the Premier League.

Daily Echo:

They do not need players who do not want to be at the club or are not ready to fight for the shirt and the supporters that follow them.

Saints are already relegated and are probably going to finish bottom of the division regardless – the next two matches are free-hits.

There are always exceptions to any rule and through both necessity and reward, James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia are wholly excluded from this following assertion.

Selles should not start any player he does not reasonably believe is interested in staying at the club next season. Now is the time to look forward.

Gavin Bazunu is the long-term goalkeeper and should probably take his spot back from Alex McCarthy now that there is nothing to play for.

Another look at January signing James Bree is a must, given the defender has played just once in the Premier League under Selles and has already proved himself a top Championship player.

There are arguments to suggest Jan Bednarek and Lyanco will be here next season, and while Kyle Walker-Peters is likely to exit there are not too many other options at left-back.

Charly Alcaraz is happy at Saints and should be one of the first names on the team sheet with the XI built around his goals next campaign.

Daily Echo: Southampton's Carlos Alcaraz (centre left) celebrates scoring

The likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and even Adam Armstrong might as well be favoured over the outgoing Moi Elyounoussi – maybe Joe Aribo should even get a shout?

Che Adams hinted at a possible stay next season, which would be a welcome surprise, but he might not be fit at the moment – he has been battling injury since March.

And now is the time to feature some of the most deserving young academy lads. They have all put in a shift to be crowned Premier League 2 Division Two champions this season.

Dom Ballard and Kami Doyle are the closest to the first team and it will be a great disappointment unless both of them are included in Sunday’s squad.

This assertion is not accepting of a defeat or a hammering, either. Saints have not won in 11 and have lost most of those anyway.

The players who believe they have a future at the club are surely more likely to give a performance that brings them closer to supporters in the first place.

The moment of winning-trumps-all has passed – they did not do it anyway – and the time to plan for next season’s hopeful promotion charge has come.

Do you agree with our writers' opinion? Let us know in the comments below.