The question that’s buzzing around the Southampton fan base at present is whether their beloved team can go one better than last season and attain a top four finish?
To say those European hopefuls’ squads consist largely of Southampton’s 2013/14 bunch (mentioning no names, *cough* Liverpool *cough*) and our academy graduates, it’s rather admirable in my opinion how the club has picked itself up and gone again. When most were despairing over the losses of long serving heroes, our surprise package have so effortlessly shaken off relegation odds to rise from the ashes left by Pochettino and co. Current gaffer Koeman has built a Champions League worthy squad with nowhere near the money some of his rivals have splashed out, utilising his contacts to obtain only those worthy of bearing the crest. He’s found an idyllic balance between big names throughout the continent and uncovering hidden gems in the academy. But let’s not get carried away in our chants of ‘we’re gonna win the league’ for this was the case last season, a dip form seeing a side who were once title challengers out of sight and mind of any hopes of a reunion with Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu or welcoming Messi and co to the South Coast.
It will most certainly require a huge push to fend off the attentions of Spurs, United, City, Arsenal and Liverpool who’s admiring attentions are also centred on European returns. For starters, Saints are pining for Pelle to return to fine form in order to fire them safely to the reputation of the creme de la creme of the Premier League. And if the likes of Clyne, Schneiderlin and Alderweireld are worthy of recognition from top-half table rivals then they are certain to do the job for us. It won’t quite be the dismay amass at the club last summer but with many managers promised renewed funds to refresh their squad, many of whom are even keeping a close eye on injured members of Southampton’s squad who are unable to even make the bench at present then it may once more be a massacre. A Champions League future may entice players of a better grade whilst simultaneously tying down old favourites with the prospect.
As we approach the last leg of the season, Southampton’s final stretch includes a series of uneasy contests, locking horns with table-topping Chelsea, Spurs and concluding the 2014/15 campaign with a visit to Etihad. These are all must-win return fixtures All I’m saying is don’t write Ronald Koeman’s men off just yet, the work ethic and desire remains of the highest quality, you’d struggle to pick out an individual that isn’t fully focussed on the mountain that lies ahead. What a substantial one it is too. If I had a message for our opposition though, it would be as follows:
Watch out, the underdogs are coming for you.
