[5] He was followed by mainstay full-back Bill Rochford, who many fans had expected to succeed Dodgin as manager, to Colchester United;[6] Norman Kirkman joined from Leicester City in his place.

In the second week of September, the club lost their star striker to Preston North End, who were looking to return to the top flight after being relegated two seasons previously, with the Lancashire side paying a "substantial fee" and sending Eddy Brown to take his place in the Saints squad.

Their run of good form ended on Boxing Day, however, when they suffered their biggest defeat of the season losing 0–4 to 19th-placed Brentford, with all four goals scored by prolific frontman Billy Dare.

[15] After ascending to the top of the table in December, the Saints fell quickly to the bottom half of the league when they went nine games without a win between Boxing Day 1950 and mid-March 1951.

[14] A season-high 5–1 thrashing of bottom-placed Grimsby Town was enough to keep Southampton's Second Division status safe, but the team's form continued to suffer as they failed to pick up wins over sides much lower in the league table – losing at the end of March to both Queens Park Rangers and Bury.

[17] Notts County came close to responding before the half-time break through Bob Crookes and Tom Johnston, but they were denied by Saints goalkeeper Hugh Kelly and defender Bill Ellerington, respectively.

Much of the first half was an even affair, with both sides enjoying chances on goal, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock just three minutes before half-time, when Dickie Davis followed up a shot from Trevor Ford that had been saved by Hugh Kelly.

The first, on 31 October 1950, saw the Saints hosting local Third Division South side Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in the Dell's first ever floodlit fixture, which ended goalless after a one-hour playtime.

[19] The second exhibition, on 10 February 1951, also ended in a draw as the Saints held top-flight Middlesbrough to a 1–1 finish – Southampton's goal was scored by Frank Dudley, who was making his first appearance for the club after signing from Leeds United.