The key question for Southampton this season is obvious: will they be able to cope with the challenge the Europa League poses? Tottenham, Swansea, Everton and Newcastle have all fallen victim to the four-day hangover that comes after Thursday night football.
If the home leg of the Third Round Qualifier is anything to go by, then previous teams Europa League experiences have done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the St. Mary’s faithful for the competition. A sell-out crowd saw Saints stick three past their Dutch visitors, Vitesse Arnhem as they claimed their first European win since 1981 (a 3-0 win away against Irish side Limerick in the first round of the UEFA Cup 1982-83).
The loss of Morgan Schneiderlin, Nathaniel Clyne and Toby Alderweireld will make Southampton a weaker side, but the players brought into replace the leaving trio are clever signings. Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord is a miniature but feisty addition alongside Victor Wanyama in defensive midfield; Cedric, at right-back fitted in seamlessly in his first competitive outing last week. Juanmi and Steven Caulker add depth in positions which Southampton needed to. Maarten Steklenburg provides some invaluable experience in goal too.
But if we learnt anything from last season it was that Ronald Koeman and the backroom staff at Southampton are prepared for almost any eventuality – and with the success of the club’s academy and scouting department, players leaving is an inevitability with the big money the top six are willing to pay.
Les Reed, Director of Football Development at Southampton, has worked wonders in making Saints one of the best run football clubs in the country and it is this that will give Southampton the best chance of lifting the curse of the Europa League.
It would be naïve of any Saints player, coach or fan to think the extra matches won’t take their toll – although having an academy full to the brim of talent and a philosophy or integrating these players into the first-team the fatigue could be lessened if these players are ready to make the step-up. Harrison Reed, Matt Targett and Jake Hesketh all made Premier League full debut starts last season with Ryan Seager prolific for the Under-21s last season.
Away from the challenge of Europa League and the ins and outs so far this summer, Jay Rodriguez’s long awaited is imminent. He did not feature against Vitesse last Thursday but managed to grab his first goal at St. Mary’s in fourteen months in the 1-1 draw against Espanyol on Sunday.
With Rodriguez back, Saints will be looking to recreate the start they had last campaign – which saw them in second up until November – and Sky Sports have ‘decreed’ that Ronald Koeman’s side have the easiest start in the league so, Saints fans can expect plenty of 8-0 drubbings at St. Mary’s early on…
This season is a big one for James Ward-Prowse to turn promise into performances – the youngster is a consistent performer in midfield but should be looking to become a vital part in Koeman’s starting line-up. A continuation of his poor showing in front of goal last season will be what many judge him on. Steven Davis is another player in a similar position as he also could have bagged a respectable amount of goals with some potency in front of goal despite being ever-reliable in the midfield three.
Sadio Mane will be a key man in the red & white frontline; his post-Christmas form was vital in maintenance of a European spot, scoring several vital goals especially when played alongside or in-and-around Graziano Pelle.
The giant Italian, Pelle, was heavily relied upon last season and in his first season in the Premier League the pressure of being, not just, the lone striker in a the starting XI but, pretty much the lone striker in the squad was too much for the 6 foot 4 inch forward. Fatigue kicked in after a rip-roaring start to the campaign, and only four of his 12 goals came after Christmas. This burden will be lessened with the addition of Juanmi and reintroduction of Jay Rodriguez.
Looking at the season objectively, it’s hinge will be the Europa League, obviously. It must, and will, be embraced by the city and fans – long haul flights to far-flung Eastern Europe will be the next step in the adventure of Southampton Football Club.
