Southampton FC

A new premier league season around the corner and, as always, each newly-promoted team busily prepares for their season-long attempt to justify their status as a top flight club. Southampton, absent up until now from the Premier League for seven years, finally return. Just three years ago they were facing liquidation and two years ago they sat in the relegation zone of the third tier.

Their manager for 2 years, Nigel Adkins, brought with him an attractive, attacking brand of football that saw Southampton notch up successive promotions. All the signs of preseason suggest that Adkins will not significantly change this philosophy in the top flight, wishing to promote the ‘Southampton way’ of playing football. In his own words, “I want us to pass the ball. We will aim to play out from the back and use the full width of the pitch”. This approach is apparently being applied for all youth players up to the first team. In a specific tactical sense, Southampton have been consistently using a fluid, high-tempo 4-3-3 in preseason with one holder and two midfielders bombing on to support Lambert and the wide players; for a more defensive approach, they will switch to a similar 4-2-3-1 with two holders and one advanced midfielder. Notably, Saints are keen to utilise the undoubted premiership quality of Adam Lallana in a more influential central attacking midfield role, as opposed to his usual position out wide in last season's championship.

Southampton have a well-balanced squad with a few notable players including Lallana and Rickie Lambert. Adkins has made four summer signings so far: Nathaniel Clyne, an attack-minded right-back once a target for Manchester United; Steven Davis, the ex-Rangers playmaker; Jay Rodriguez, the prolific young championship striker from Burnley; and Paulo Gazzaniga, an apparently promising young Argentinian keeper signed as a backup to Kelvin Davis from Gillingham. Despite their undoubted talent, none other than Davis has previous Premier League experience. Will they make the grade in the top flight?

Southampton’s much publicised youth system promises to bear fruit this season with the inclusion of several potentially exciting young players in the squad, such as James Ward-Prowse, Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw. Morgan Schneiderlin is a lesser-known but promising under-21 French midfielder, effective both an anchor and as a tidy passer of the ball. Defence is undoubtedly Southampton's biggest concern. Adkins earlier insisted Saints needed to strengthen with at least one if not two more centre-halves this summer, yet none have yet arrived. Should the defence fail to make the step to Premier League level, the front line will feel a considerable weight of pressure to produce.

As with almost all newly-promoted teams, they are among the favourites for the drop. They have been dealt a difficult list of opening fixtures, but conversely their run of final games is relatively easy. Can the Saints push on and, perhaps more importantly, survive? It would appear that they have the team spirit, positive mentality, creativity and resources to do so.

A highly difficult proposal tonight in their opener, however it indeed looks to be a season of promise for a newly promoted squad which I expect to quite rightfully maintain their newly found position in the top flight. Having maintained a great deal of continuity in their squad it shall be interesting to see whether the club indeed wishes to delve into the market in these final few weeks, particularly the potential transfer or Ramirez, an idea being strongly protested by the fans of Bologna as we speak. A very fine player, it shall be interesting to see whether the club persist with this supposed opportunity and how they respond if it falls through, particularly if these funds are redirected to a player of a similar ilk or to address the concerns in defence that you have outlined.

A difficult introduction awaits, not only tonight but in their first month, which provides a chance to test their mettle immediately whilst arguably being under little pressure, however successions of bad results quickly build pressure. Many a resilient side have thrived after poor starts though and playing to their potential, it should be a season in which their goal of survival is reached and celebrated by their fans.

They were absolutely brilliant against Man city. Some Excellent football and were not scared at all. Think they will be safe this season

I honestly doubt they will be relegated next year. they have some GOAT players.

Billy Sharp