Southampton enjoyed an excellent first season back in the Premier League, characterized by exciting attacking play and some memorable wins against Liverpool and Manchester City. Can the teams promoted to the top flight this season follow this example and use attack as the best form of defence? We have just published part three in our guide to surviving in the Premier League, which examines how Southampton achieved success in the top division last season, and what others can learn from their experience. Please take a look, share, and let us know what you think. Hit Row Z is a new blog designed to engage fans, so we definitely want to hear from you! You can read the article here - it's part two in a longer series. http://hitrowz.com/2013/06/28/premier-league-survival-guide-part-3/ Ben
Good analysis, though Saints beat Chelsea as well as Liverpool and Man City. In fact, we took 4 points off Chelsea in 2012/13. I think we were an even better side than our league position may suggest and are a more complete side than Blackpool were. We should have had more wins as we dominated many drawn games...our goals mysteriously dried up at one point. Difficult to compare seasons as situations vary...last season had many teams still involved in a possible relegation situation right up to the end.
Thanks for the feedback - amended re. Chelsea result. And agreed it's tough to compare seasons - as I mention in the article, Blackpool had enough points to survive this season, but whether they would have been defensively strong enough to compete this year I doubt. I hear Wanyama is on his way to the south coast today - are you happy with that signing? Who else would you invest in, and what parts of the team need strengthening?
That's news to me, where have you heard this? If it did happen then yes. The majority still think we need a central midfielder, winger and striker. With maybe another defender coming in.
Really? We've lost the plot with this one, but would be very happy if true, last season we were an injury to Schneiderlin away from disaster. Good article, will be interesting to see if Holloway approaches the prem any differently this time around.
Twitter rumours at this stage, but apparantly a £12m offer has been accepted? Lennon insisting other clubs are still interested, but Wanyama due to discuss terms. The story has taken so many turns though, so who knows! From the point of view of a winger, what about bringing Ince or Redmond in? Are there other candidates from Saints youth set up?
Old news. Saints offer accepted...personal terms for agent and player rejected. All quiet on Saints front. Cardiff interested but too low an offer.
Yeah there has been discussions of them both, think Cardiff are getting Ince quite cheap, and Redmond for a reported £2-3million is a good potential deal. As for Wanyama, there's been loads said about it being off and then still looking on. I think we'll just have to wait and see what happens, this rumour has emotionally damaged most people on this forum for a week. I'm sure we'll find someone just as good if it doesn't happen
What about goalkeepers? From afar that seemed to be a problem position last season - any need for a replacement?
Was like a merry-go-round for the first half of the season but once Boruc bedded down from January onwards he was quality. I've seen several other people thinking we need a new keeper, probably because Boruc is very eccentric and juggles the odd cross and whatnot which they see on MotD giving them the impression we were still struck down by goalkeeper blunders, but in reality Boruc made some world class saves and earned us 5/6 points.
I think now Boruc has settled we're fine there for at least the next season. I don't believe it is a coincidence that since January 1st our defence has improved considerably, the back four seem a lot more settled now with Boruc between the sticks. Plus he's mental, which is an endearing trait.
You might want to change Manuel Pochettino to Mauricio Pochettino, and Nathanial Clyne to Nathaniel Clyne. Good article though.
I believe both Ince and Redmond have both been bought, personnally I believe they offer no more than what we have already in Punch and what McQueen and Rowe will offer in a year or so.
Cheers for typo corrections - proofing late at night... Interesting to hear Boruc is now settled as number one. Which Saints youngsters should be looking out for next season? Will James Ward-Prowse break through, for example?
Not sure, will be a big ask for him, I personally think a year on loan in the Championship would be good for him. Would be especially hard for him to get game time if we bring in another central midfielder as we seem to be trying to do.
Fair - at Newcastle last season we were forced to play young players who definitely needed a season in the Championship before prolonged exposure in the Premier League (although I don't think the majority were in Ward-Prowse's class).
Technically, JWP has broken through. He is in main squad and did play in matches last season. He seems to be well thought of at the club and gets used in promotions etc, but he plays in a competitive position. He has to step up this season and force his way into more games.
How has a kit related post ended up in this thread despite the many kit threads available?! This is madness!
