Three goals in 13 first half minutes wrecked Cardiff City's Christmas and left fans wondering just what happens next.
The support for Malky Mackay that caused Vincent Tan to withdraw his immediate plans to sack the manager after asking for his resignation, had waned as Cardiff suffered their biggest home defeat of the season.
A pre match protest against Vincent Tan was followed by a loud rendition of 'Don't sack Mackay' at the start of the game but by the time the final whistle blew Tan had long since left his seat, Malky's side received a number of boos and one last effort of 'Don't sack Mackay' petered out with barely anyone joining in.
Southampton showed what Cardiff are lacking. Midfielders with pace and strikers who can find space with clinical finishing.
Cardiff competed more in the second half but like at Liverpool less than a week ago the second half was just trying to win back some respect rather than earn any points.
To make matters worse the bottom three all won away from home and now Cardiff sit just one point above the relegation places and if it goes wrong at home to Sunderland on Saturday then the gap over the Black Cats will be reducted to just one point.
Wth Cardiff away at Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd in January the Bluebirds could be facing more lean times ahead.
There are press reports that Malky maybe meeting with Vincent Tan before Saturday's clash with Sunderland. There's a real fear Mackay could face the sack before then.
A tweet onThursday by Muzzi Ozcan reads:
The story is coming to a End in Wales and a new story will be born ... The next 48 hours will be explosive !
Ozcan is the agent of Yılmaz Vural, the man linked with Cardiff a month or so ago.
So what happens next? I don't think we will have too long to wait to find out.