Southampton have to guarantee success.

01/12/2014

Anyone who says they predicted Southampton’s sudden success before the season began is lying to you. None of us can legitimately claim we saw it coming but it’s more than fair to say we have all equally been surprised and impressed by their start to the season, even despite their 3-0 loss to title contenders Manchester City yesterday lunchtime.

Debates can be had over whether they have the capability to beat the other teams currently atop the Premier League table, and their mettle will be tested in a Christmas period which sees them take on Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea on the back of that home defeat by the Champions.

Arguably though, come the end of the season, if Southampton can ruthlessly dispatch of the other middle of the table teams as they have been so far, it won’t matter if they lose to the other, mostly inconsistent big teams. They could feasibly lose against last year’s top six home and away and still end up in at least a Europa League position if they maintain their current form.

I’m sure Southampton fans will be over the moon regardless. However, there is a definite danger of last summer repeating itself. At the moment, the Saints are on course for perhaps even a top four spot if we are to be a bit optimistic. But, if the team finds itself languishing just outside the Europa League positions when the final whistle blows at the end of the season, it will be tough for Ronald Koeman to keep his squad together.

Similarly to last year when the likes of Lambert, Lallana and Lovren departed to Liverpool and Chambers moved to Arsenal, I’m afraid Southampton fans might have to expect players to leave again. Champions League clubs will almost certainly launch bids for Schneiderlin, Clyne, Forster and Pelle. It is even possible Koeman will be recognised, as Pochettino was, as a great manager and perhaps be pinched by a larger club.

It in integral therefore that Southampton battle their way to a European competition next year. It has to be said though, if they continue with the philosophy of the club, they are sure to look appealing to a foreign investor who might pump more funds into the team and make them a real force.