Football Season Guide

Southampton survived their first season back in the top flight since 2005, finishing fourteenth in the table and five points clear of the drop zone. The season started slowly for the Saints and things were certainly looking bleak coming up to December. Nigel Adkins then seemed to be turning things around but was all of a sudden fired and replaced by Mauro Pochettino. A strong Easter period was enjoyed and three wins on the trot proved crucial seeing as they failed to win any of their final six games. Pochettino has not been as active in the transfer market as was expected, but in Victor Wanyama and Dejan Lovren he has attracted two players that were highly coveted by a host of other clubs. Rickie Lambert and Gaston Ramirez have both been linked with moves away from the club but Pochettino seems to have won the battle to keep them at St Mary's. Both players were crucial last season. Guly Do Prado's season was interrupted by injury and lack of fitness on more than one occasion. Pochettino will be hoping he can stay fit and feature more prominently. The club has a great record in recent years of players progressing from the academy and the club's owners feel this is vital if they are to maintain their top flight status and become a top ten side