There are many different ways in which the word ‘success’ can be perceived in football. From avoiding relegation in League 2, all the way to winning the Champions League. For a club like Southampton, ‘success’ at the moment should be winning a trophy.
Southampton have progressed so far in recent years and have almost nailed down their place among the top 10 sides in the Premier League. This means that their objective for each season should be European qualification, and, this would be perceived as ‘success’. Just as it was last season. Southampton therefore, achieved relative ‘success’ last season as they finished seventh in the Premier League and attained a place in the Europa League qualifying rounds.
It is now a matter of pushing on and raising the bar on what Southampton think success is. In my opinion, winning a cup competition and bringing some silverware back to St.Mary’s is the next step on the progression model for Southampton as a club. Competitions like the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup are both fantastic trophies to win and can turn a season into a special campaign. Getting to play at Wembley in front of a packed out crowd and, if you win, being able to lift a trophy and share the celebrations with the supporters is one of the best scenarios in the English game, if not the world.
Not only does winning the cup bring a fantastic feeling around the club and the supporters; it brings European football, regardless of the league position. Southampton are not at that stage where they are guaranteed a European spot each season, and, with all the added competition for the European places, a cup win could be a great way for Southampton to get back into Europe. Playing in Europe is another fantastic thing for the club to have and is another big ambition for the club going forward.
Southampton, without reaching a cup final last season, ironically owe getting into Europe to the FA Cup. It was Arsenal’s triumph in the FA Cup final over Aston Villa that granted Southampton a place in the Europa League qualifiers, which they were promptly knocked out of at the play-off round earlier this summer. Southampton finished 7th in the league, outside of the Europa League spots. However, as the winners of the FA Cup and League Cup get a place in the Europa League, and Arsenal and Chelsea (winners of the two cups) already qualified for the Champions League, the last Europa League spot went to 7th placed Southampton.
It is unlikely that Southampton will be able to reach the hefty heights of last season’s Premier League campaign and get a Europa League place via the league. This is mainly down to their stuttering start to the season and also down to the fine form of a number of other clubs that you would not normally expect towards the top of the league. For example, West Ham, who currently sit 3rd in the league after ten games. There is also the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Crystal Palace all gunning for a top seven finish this season, meaning that winning a cup is the most likely way for Saints to get back into Europe for next campaign.
However, getting into Europe is not the be all and end all. Getting Europa League qualification is only a minor factor in the benefits of winning a cup competition. The buzz that a cup run/success can bring around a club in enormous. Not only would it be a fantastic moment and day; but it could also boost the players for the following season and attract a higher calibre of players to the club. It could also convince players who may want to leave the club, to stay. As a player, you want to win silverware, and, if you are winning it at Southampton, why would you want to leave?
Winning a cup is also a very realistic aim this season. Ronald Koeman has made it evidently clear that he is taking all competitions very seriously. He named a very strong squad against MK Dons and is expected to do the same when they face Aston Villa tomorrow night at St.Mary’s. This means that Southampton will have a good mix of star performers, as well as players that will have the added incentive of wanting to impress Ronald Koeman enough to make it into his match-day Premier League sides. Which is exactly the kind of blend that you need when gunning for cup success.
The strength in depth that Southampton posses also bodes well for a cup run. Even Southampton’s second XI could arguably hold their own in the Premier League and is full of top quality players. You have the likes of Jay Rodriguez, Shane Long, Oriol Romeu, Gaston Ramirez, Juanmi and Steven Caulker all not featuring regularly for the first team in the Premier League and the cup could be a big chance for them to impress.
As aforementioned, Southampton face Aston Villa tomorrow night at St.Mary’s and a win for the home side would send them into the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup. Just three games away from a trip to Wembley. Despite many disliking the league cup and not taking it as seriously as the FA Cup, the actual rewards on the pitch are the same. Both grant you a place in Europe, and, the most important in my opinion, a trophy. Being able to bring a trophy back to St.Mary’s would be fantastic for all involved and would be a momentous occasion for players and fans alike.
The club and its staff/players have made it very clear that Champions League football is an ambition that the club has set itself for the future and winning cup competitions and attracting a higher calibre of player are the stepping stones that I feel are required on that route. It gives you solid backing and confidence going into the league, financially and on the pitch quality.
Do you think Southampton can win a trophy this season?
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