A difficult start has left Southampton bottom of the Premier
League heading into the first international break. Narrow and morale deflating
defeats against both Manchester sides have shown they can compete; however
sandwiched between these games was a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to perennial
strugglers Wigan.
When Nigel Adkins took over the reins at Southampton, the
club were in the League One relegation zone (all be it at an early stage in the
season), but in just two years he has overseen back-to-back promotions meaning
the club are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2005. A positive
transfer window was headlined when they beat the likes of Tottenham and
Liverpool to the services of the Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez. The addition of
Emmanuel Mayuka, who starred for Zambia in their 2012 African Nations success,
could also prove to be a shrewd piece of business.
Adkins has done a brilliant job with Southampton |
Under Adkins Southampton have always had a positive approach
to the game, scoring more goals than any other side on their way to promotion
from the Championship last year, and on the evidence of their first three
games, they aren’t going to alter their mentality despite promotion. For all
the positives in their attacking play, I do worry for Southampton defensively.
Admittedly two of their opening three fixtures have been against the very best
of what the Premier League can offer; however I worry if the likes of Jose
Fonte and Jos Hooiveld are good enough.
Key player – Adam
Lallana. A crowd favourite having stayed at the club even when they stooped
as low as League One, Lallana is certainly reaping the rewards now and is one
of the first names of the Southampton team sheet. Over the last few seasons
Lallana has added more goals and if he can get anywhere near double figures
then he could help steer Southampton away from the drop.
Prediction – 19th.
What Adkins has done with Southampton is brilliant; however I think they’ll
struggle to survive. Much pressure is on the likes of Ricky Lambert and Jay
Rodriguez to score the goals; however neither have Premier League experience
and reaching double figures will be a struggle.
Two in three Premier League games is a top start for Lambert |
View from a fan - Matt Wall @MattBWall
What would be a
perfect season?
A perfect season would be comfortably avoiding relegation and enjoying a decent cup run.
A perfect season would be comfortably avoiding relegation and enjoying a decent cup run.
What would be a
nightmare season?
Would be finishing bottom with the lowest points tally in Premier League history, god forbid!
Would be finishing bottom with the lowest points tally in Premier League history, god forbid!
Do you have the right
man in charge?
Without a doubt Nigel Adkins is the right man in charge, he achieved our back to back promotions and I like the way he emphasises on team spirit.
Without a doubt Nigel Adkins is the right man in charge, he achieved our back to back promotions and I like the way he emphasises on team spirit.
Given the choice,
which Premier League player would you sign?
That’s a difficult one, but one that could’ve happened was Theo Walcott, he would rediscover his form with us!
That’s a difficult one, but one that could’ve happened was Theo Walcott, he would rediscover his form with us!
Is Ricky Lambert good
enough for the Premier League?
Although time isn’t on his side, I do think ‘Super Rickie’ has what it takes! Very similar scenario to Grant Holt who was very good last year.
Although time isn’t on his side, I do think ‘Super Rickie’ has what it takes! Very similar scenario to Grant Holt who was very good last year.
Does the squad need players with more top flight experience or are you happy with the transfer additions?
It's encouraging looking at other sides like Norwich and Swansea who've done very well without much Premier League experience and it's also great for the future the way we are signing young British players, that's combined with our brilliant academy! We also added Ramirez, beating off bigger sides which is quite the coup!
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