Southampton: The 2013/14 Season Preview

Rickie Lambert of Southampton looks on during a friendlyvs. UE Llagostera at the Josep Pla i Arbones Stadium on July 17, 2013 in Girona, Spain. (Getty Images)

5) Prediction

One can never tell with Southampton. The years between Gordon Strachan’s departure in early 2004, and the launch of the Liebherr-Cortese era, in 2009, were not happy ones for Saints’ fans. Consistently average League performances led to relegation to the third tier of English football.

Couple that with the hardship of administration while in League 1, and one can forgive and understand why the ever-pessimistic Southampton fans remain as surprised as anyone at the club’s meteoric rise from near going out of business in League 1, to having aspirations of a top half finish in the Premier League merely four years later.

The ambition of Nicola Cortese, Southampton’s Executive Chairman, is admirable. The transfer window still has over a month to go, yet Croatian defender Lovren, and Kenyan midfielder Wanyama have already been added to the ever-growing list of international stars that manager Mauricio Pochettino has at his disposal.

At an estimated combined worth of £21 million, it is clear that Pochettino and Cortese mean business as they look to push Southampton up the Premier League and into Europe.

Combine the eye-catching spending with the ambition of Cortese and one has the recipe for a successful season on paper. With one or two more signings looking probable – notably Argentinean international midfielder, Ever Banega from Valencia – the surly Italian won’t want anything less than a top-half finish. Cortese would consider a placing in the bottom-half a failure.

After a disastrous start in the Premier League last term, a solid start this year could set the Saints up for a memorable campaign. Providing the defence remains injury-free, the goals will flow for a naturally attacking side. Expect attractive, free-flowing football when going forward.

While in defence, Pochettino encourages his side to employ the style of pressing made famous by Marcelo Bielsa, notably at Athletic Bilbao – the basic aim of which being to win the ball as high up the pitch and as soon after losing it as possible.

Although it can be a hazardous technique, when perfected it can be devastating, as demonstrated with Athletic Bilbao’s impressive run to the Europa League Final. The home wins against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea towards the end of last season all undoubtedly came about because of the tireless work done by the midfield and attack in pressing their opponents, wreaking havoc in the opposition ranks.

Southampton could well finish in upper mid-table – maybe 9th – and this would represent a massively successful season. Home form is key and even though Saints are historically weak on the road, Pochettino’s side must pick up more points away from home.