Premier League Half-Term Reports: More of the same Saints

Team Name: Southampton

Current Premier League position: 3rd

Giddy highs:

With many expecting the pre-season exodus to have a major impact on Southampton it could have been difficult to talk about any giddy highs but that’s been far from the case so far this season.

It’s been week after week of enjoyment for the Saints fans as Ronald Koeman’s revolution bears fruit but the 4-0 win over Newcastle at St Mary’s is the obvious candidate in the South Coast club’s rise to third in league.

Crushing lows:

Every Southampton fan would have bitten your hand off to have just two defeats at this stage of the season but they would not have wanted it to come against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham.

Seeing the former Saints boss guide his new employers to all three points would have been a hammer blow to the Saints faithful but I’m sure they can stomach it better when they just look at the league standings!

Watch Graziano Pelle score a goal of the season candidate in Southampton’s 2-1 win over QPR:

Shining Star: Ronald Koeman

When the likes of Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert, Calum Chambers, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and manager Mauricio Pochettino walked out of St Mary’s there were plenty of pundits and fans fearing the worst for Southampton.

But Dutchman Koemam has steadied the ship and even improved the Saints squad despite numerous departures from the club.

There were so many candidates for the shining star at the South Coast club with Nathaniel Clyne, Ryan Bertrand, Graziano Pellè, Dušan Tadić and Morgan Schneiderlin all in excellent form but it seems right to praise the man at the helm.

Biggest Disappointment: Sadio Mane

This maybe really harsh but how do you pick a biggest disappointment in such a season of hits so far?

The Senegal international has impressed in his three appearances so far but his failure to convert a guilt edged chance against Spurs at White Hart Lane cost Saints fans a share of the spoils against the man they felt walked out on the club in the summer.

Final Thoughts:

It’s been an excellent start to the campaign for Southampton in both the league and Capital One Cup after their brilliant 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Koeman will want more of the same from his side in the build up to the Christmas period before they face some stiffer challenges from the likes Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United.

But if they can head into the New Year relatively unscathed then Koeman’s men could surprise a few by finishing in the league’s top six, and possibly make a good fist of winning a cup!

Best Bet: Southampton to finish in Top Six @ 7/2

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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