Season Preview - Southampton

Change is on the horizon for one of the Premier League’s top teams last year, Southampton. After losing their manager to the greener pastures of Tottenham and a bucket-load of players to the top clubs around the league, many wonder what this season will hold for last season’s entertainers.

Transfers

Last season was widely considered a good transfer window for Southampton. They signed promising young midfielder Victor Wanyama, solid ex-Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and Dani Osvaldo, the latter failed to make an impact at the club and now finds himself on loan again.

This season has been a terrible window for Southampton. Southampton have sold their best players in Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers and more players are expected to follow those out the door. However, some decent players have come in including Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle, Fraser Forster, Ryan Bertrand and Saphir Tadir. These players are probably not as good as the ones who have left the club but at least Southampton have not been stripped of all of their quality just yet.

Predicted Lineup

Southampton still have a fantastic side. They have a slightly above average defence, a quality midfield and a striker that will most definitely finish the chances should they come his way.

Squad Depth

Southampton also have good squad depth, they have a great reserve goalkeeper in Artur Boruc, decent defenders in Hooiveld and Stephens, good midfielders in Steven Davis and Jack Cork but no real cover in attack which could let them down.

Final Predicted Finish: 10^th.

Although Southampton have been stripped of their finest players, I still expect and think they can and will finish in the top half. With the midfield quality and the right tactics, many teams should find Southampton tough to break down and perhaps they could finish even higher if they sign some more players.

Predicted Key Player: James Ward-Prowse.

A bit of a weird choice for the key player section but I will justify it. As Ward-Prowse is the youngest player in this Southampton side, the pressure will be on him to succeed and perhaps become one of England’s top youngsters. If Ward-Prowse can’t handle this pressure then more likely than not, Southampton’s tactics will not work to the standard they should but if Ward-Prowse puts in fantastic performances week in week out then Southampton will have one of the brightest starlets in the Premier League, something they should be proud of.

By @nathan_said