How has Southampton’s season gone so far?
Start to the season – 6/10
Last season’s sixth-place finish would always be difficult to better, but having taken as many points after 19 games this time (24) as they did at the same stage last term, on the face of it, things appear to be going well for Southampton. However, you cannot help but feel the Saints should be higher in the table than their current placing of ninth, with defeats to Hull City and Crystal Palace particularly disappointing. Crashing out of the Europa League despite beating Inter Milan was a major blot on the copybook.
Performance of the manager – 6/10
It has been little more than a steady start to life in England for Claude Puel, who, to his credit, has Southampton in contention for a top-half finish and steered them to a League Cup semi-final. He will, however, be disappointed not to have done better in Europe.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
Team performance of the season so far – Inter Milan (H)
The Italian giants may not be as fearsome as they once were but theirs is still a side brimming with quality. Coming from behind to beat them – the champions of Europe only six years ago – was particularly satisfying and a sign of how far the Saints have come in an identical time frame.
Star player – Virgil van Dijk
The latest in a long line of transfer gambles that have paid off for Southampton and undoubtedly the next to net the club a significant profit when he is sold to a top club.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk
Where to strengthen in January – Up front, wings
Charlie Austin’s absence has already been felt and failing to replace the striker’s goal-every-other-game ratio could leave the Saints struggling to make the top half. Nathan Redmond has flattered to deceive since his summer move, so another winger would not go amiss.
Likelihood of strengthening in January – 6/10
Puel has hinted he could go with what he has already got in the second half of the campaign, although he is unlikely to refuse the chance to improve his squad should an opportunity arise. Were anyone such as Van Dijk to leave the Frenchman would need to find a replacement.
Challenges ahead – Keeping hold of Van Dijk/Jose Fonte
As always with Southampton, others are watching their top stars closely and losing any in January is likely to leave the Saints weaker in the second half of the campaign. Finding a way of replacing Austin’s goals could also be problematic.
Predicted end of season position – 10th
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