Thinking Football August 2016 | Page 20

Last Season Southampton Premier League: 6 th FA Cup: Third Round League Cup: Fifth Round Europa League: Play-Off 15 Top Scorer (all): Saido Mane ( ) For the second time in two years Southampton find themselves entering a new chapter after their manager was swooped from another Premier League club. Ronald Koeman has gone, now it's relatively unknown Claude Puel's job to continue the fine groundwork Koeman and Pochettino have laid. The Saints have been the victims of a transfer conveyor-belt in recent times, with their star players consistently being pinched for profitable fees, but this has failed to halt their development as a club. Now a solidified Premier League unit, Southampton are the perfect example for any promoted side thanks to their firm structure and forward thinking nature. After a premature exit in their Europa League campaign last year, they will be hoping to go further and improve upon their 5 th place finish last season. Who's in and who's out? the Europa League is achievable. Victor Wanyama and Saido Mane What's their reality? are the latest of the Saints stars Another summer of outgoings and to leave, joining a long list who change. A repetitive trend which have left in recent years. Graziano has threatened to derail their good Pelle is also gone, with the lure of work since promotion in mega money in China proving too have coped incredibly well so far, much to turn down. Nathan but Puel has a thinned squad to Redmond is a solid signing from work with and could face an uphill Norwich, acting as a direct battle. Players need to step up to replacement for Mane. Pierre- fill the gaps left by key departures. ΓΈ Emile H jbjerg could be a nifty player. The Dane has been bought from Bayern Munich. Season expectations? Claude Puel is a relatively unknown A downgrade on 15 16 / Key Man: Virgil Van Dijk 2012 . They is imminent. Fixtures to look out for They play Manchester United in the Young Star: Jordan Turnbull Marmite Man: Cuco Martina In 3 Words: Adaptable, dynamic, surprising 19 th. A south coast derby with 17 figure, but so was Maurico Bournemouth on December th Pochettino. Last season's finish promises much, but overall it's a will be hard to top but a top ten relatively healthy fixture list, void of finish coupled with a strong run in tricky spells. 356 100 1 16 1 10 Odds (Bet first Friday night fixture on August Title: ): / Relegation: Prediction: / th