We all love an underdog, someone who just won't back down despite all odds stacked against them, someone who takes on the mighty and powerful with brevity and continues to march on. Southampton have a similar story to tell, a story that has captured the hearts and minds of all those involved with the beautiful game we call football.
Southampton headed into the new season with as many as seven new players in the squad, including a new manager in the form of Ronald Koeman. The summer of 2014 saw a large exodus of players from the seaside town; Lallana, Shaw, Lambert, Chambers all made way for bigger and better things and Pochettino packed his bags off to Tottenham. The very crux of the team, that had taken years to grow and develop dissolved in a matter of days. They lost key leaders in the form of Lovren and Lallana and players who symbolized the club and its philosophy such as Shaw and Chambers. It is the equivalent of the Beatles losing John and Paul! But the summer will hold a very special place in the hearts of the Saints fans, for it saw the arrival of a certain Graziano Pelle to St. Marys
No one had heard of him before Southmapton signed from Feyenoord, but nine goals and a spectacular over head kick later, he became one of the most talked about strikers in the league. Pelle's record at Feyenoord is sublime, 57 goals in two seasons, its a surprise no other clubs snapped him up sooner. The big Italian has been creating havoc upfront and his daunting demeanor and skillful footwork has been crucial to his exploits. Another man who has been giving defenders nightmares is Dusan Tadic, the Serbian has already notched up six assists for himself and has struck up a good partnership with Pelle. He is the man who has made Southampton fans forget about Adam Lallana
Koeman has been very shrewd in his dealings in the transfer market, and has signed players who have the guile and the skill to perform for the club. Without spending truck loads of money, the Dutchman has brought in young and exciting talent, and has efficient in his dealings. Ryan Bertrand has been fantastic all season; with Bertrand it was all ways a case of being played out of position but under Koeman he has really come into his own and will be hoping to seal a permanent transfer to the club. Fraser Forster looks more assured than the unreliable Gazzaniga between the sticks, and the lanky Englishman has been good without being great. But, possibly the greatest job done by Ronald Koeman was to keep hold off Morgan Schneiderlin
The Frenchman was adamant to leave Southampton in the summer,and despite putting in a transfer request, he was made to stay. So far, he was been exceptional for the Saints, executing that holding role he is renowned for perfectly but has also added to his goals tally, something he has struggled with in previous seasons. The Southampton midfield hs become very tough to break down, with warriors in the form of Wanyama and Schneiderlin guarding it. Nathaliel Clyne has finally broken out from the under the shadows of Chambers and Shaw and his impressive performances could lead to an England cap from Roy Hodgson. Also, how can one forget his thunderbolt against Arsenal? One needs to be reminded that the Saints still have Jay Rodriguez still waiting to come back from his injury, the thought of a strike force of Tadic, Pelle and Rodriguez will be driving Southampton fans crazy with ecstasy
Apart from the obvious skill in the team, it is team spirit and togetherness that has taken Southampton to the heights they have scaled so far. Koeman has instilled fresh belief in the squad and has kept the squad upbeat and positive. It is always hard to claw your way back up to the ground after losing big players from the team; one look at Arsenal's 2012-2013 season should give you sufficient proof of the same.
It is to be seen if Southampton can keep up their good form and possibly challenge for a place on Europe. Consistency is the name of the game of course, and Southampton will be keen to rectify the mistakes they made last year at a similar position. They are the team every neutral fan is backing,and it will be hoped that the Saints continue to march on.
Southampton headed into the new season with as many as seven new players in the squad, including a new manager in the form of Ronald Koeman. The summer of 2014 saw a large exodus of players from the seaside town; Lallana, Shaw, Lambert, Chambers all made way for bigger and better things and Pochettino packed his bags off to Tottenham. The very crux of the team, that had taken years to grow and develop dissolved in a matter of days. They lost key leaders in the form of Lovren and Lallana and players who symbolized the club and its philosophy such as Shaw and Chambers. It is the equivalent of the Beatles losing John and Paul! But the summer will hold a very special place in the hearts of the Saints fans, for it saw the arrival of a certain Graziano Pelle to St. Marys
Koeman has been very shrewd in his dealings in the transfer market, and has signed players who have the guile and the skill to perform for the club. Without spending truck loads of money, the Dutchman has brought in young and exciting talent, and has efficient in his dealings. Ryan Bertrand has been fantastic all season; with Bertrand it was all ways a case of being played out of position but under Koeman he has really come into his own and will be hoping to seal a permanent transfer to the club. Fraser Forster looks more assured than the unreliable Gazzaniga between the sticks, and the lanky Englishman has been good without being great. But, possibly the greatest job done by Ronald Koeman was to keep hold off Morgan Schneiderlin
The Frenchman was adamant to leave Southampton in the summer,and despite putting in a transfer request, he was made to stay. So far, he was been exceptional for the Saints, executing that holding role he is renowned for perfectly but has also added to his goals tally, something he has struggled with in previous seasons. The Southampton midfield hs become very tough to break down, with warriors in the form of Wanyama and Schneiderlin guarding it. Nathaliel Clyne has finally broken out from the under the shadows of Chambers and Shaw and his impressive performances could lead to an England cap from Roy Hodgson. Also, how can one forget his thunderbolt against Arsenal? One needs to be reminded that the Saints still have Jay Rodriguez still waiting to come back from his injury, the thought of a strike force of Tadic, Pelle and Rodriguez will be driving Southampton fans crazy with ecstasy
Apart from the obvious skill in the team, it is team spirit and togetherness that has taken Southampton to the heights they have scaled so far. Koeman has instilled fresh belief in the squad and has kept the squad upbeat and positive. It is always hard to claw your way back up to the ground after losing big players from the team; one look at Arsenal's 2012-2013 season should give you sufficient proof of the same.
It is to be seen if Southampton can keep up their good form and possibly challenge for a place on Europe. Consistency is the name of the game of course, and Southampton will be keen to rectify the mistakes they made last year at a similar position. They are the team every neutral fan is backing,and it will be hoped that the Saints continue to march on. 