Southampton proving a point as the Saint's perform miracles

26 September 2014 10:10

There's summer clear-outs, and then there's Southampton. An astonishing total of 16 players were let go by the saints during the closed season, and although they recouped a decent fee for their losses, many feared for their future.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino himself transferred to Tottenham, while trio Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren made switches to Liverpool. The enigmatic Dani Osvaldo (who in fairness had never really settled at St Mary's), is trying to re-launch his career in Italy on loan as well as Gaston Ramirez who has joined Hull on the same basis. Young starlet Calum Chambers sealed a move to Arsenal and Luke Shaw made the most expensive departure to a recuperating Manchester United.

So, with all these major players leaving the club, surely they would struggle to survive in the dog eat dog world of Premier League football? Quite the opposite has occurred actually. The well travelled and vastly experienced Ronald Koeman Has taken the hot seat and brought in new blood to soften the blow of so many absentees, and the club has been thriving ever since, despite a hard fought opening day away defeat to last seasons runners-up Liverpool.

Celtic and England Goalkeeper Fraser Forster has made the move to his native homeland, while Republic of Ireland International Shane Long has been brought in along with Graziano Pelle to bolster the attack. Other editions include Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane and Florin Gardos. Toby Alderweireld and Ryan Bertrand have been brought in on loan deals. putting all these additions into perspective, the club have spent only around a half of what they've made. Pat on the back, Ralph Krueger and his team.

Southampton sit second only three points behind leaders Chelsea in the league table and have looked good value in the majority of their games so far. So, What's the secret? Just how have the seemingly scalped side bounced back so quickly and in such good fashion? Could the players that have been sold be the ones actually holding them back? Could it purely be down to Koeman's genius? Or is it due to the fact that there is virtually no pressure on the new look side?

It could well be a combination of all three, but whatever the reasons, it seems to be working. When you look at what the departed players have currently achieved so far with their new clubs, it doesn't make for good reading. Despite making a dream move back to his boyhood club, Lambert has not only failed to score but is failing to seal any kind of first team starts thus far. With Major signing Mario Balotelli starting to pick up form and Daniel Sturridge making a recovery from injury, time could be running out for the veteran forward. The same can be said for Lallana who is struggling to make the same sort of impact under Brendan Rodgers. Out of the trio that left only Lovren seems to be staking a claim but even he is struggling as part of a leaking defence. Meanwhile Luke Shaw has already been told he needs to up his fitness if he wants to play any part in Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United team, even with their shaky backline.

A midweek away triumph over Arsenal in the league cup ensured the quick recovery continues to go that bit quicker. Southampton play a struggling QPR side this weekend in a fixture which the Saints are looking certain favourites to come out on top.

So while mission impossible at Southampton is still in it's early days, the St Mary's side have yet to put a major foot wrong. It remains to be seen just what Ronald and Co can achieve but taking everything into account, other clubs should maybe take note.

Source: DSG