Watch out…The Saints are Coming!

It may be early days in the season, but after just six games, it is a feat that nobody in the footballing fraternity saw coming, not least the Saints faithful. Having recorded back to back wins which includes an impressive away win to Liverpool, the Saints extended their unbeaten run to three games this weekend to find themselves sitting comfortably in fifth spot and above both Manchester clubs in the league table. Southampton have made a brilliant start to the current season and their position in the table is a reflection of their lofty ambitions. Their recent performances, most impressively at Anfield, have shown that they can no longer be considered a side that can be bullied into giving away an easy three points.

Historically Southampton have a reputation of being associated with some of the game’s legends such as Alan Ball, Alan Shearer, Peter Shilton, Matt Le Tissier and Tim Flowers to name a few, while their academy keeps on producing exciting talent that have become household names today like Theo Walcott, Nathan Dyer, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Gareth Bale. But regardless of the talent at their disposal, the Saints have never been regarded as a side that could land silverware at the highest level. In fact despite a number of final appearances, the one major piece of silverware that furnishes their trophy cabinet is the FA Cup that was won way back in 1976. In the recent past the club has also had their share of problems off the field as well. After being one of the founding teams of the Premier League, they were relegated in 2005 after spending 27 years in the top flight. They endured a rather rough journey that saw them hit rock bottom by going into administration and slide all the way down to League One.

In 2009, owned and backed by the wealthy Liebherr family, Southampton began their road to recovery. After missing out on promotion that season, the Saints earned back to back promotions to propel them back among in the English elite for season 2012-2013. They began life in the Premiership under the stewardship of Nigel Adkins who having steered them up from the lower divisions had become a fan favourite. In mid January 2013 after having climbed to 15^th in the table, Nicola Cortese, the executive chairman of the club, made the highly unpopular decision to unceremoniously sack Adkins and replace him with a then unheard of Argentinean Mauricio Pochettino. The decision at that time was regarded as ruthless and unnecessary, but Cortese stood firm and insisted that it was the right thing to do if progress was required.

Looking back it may seem like a long time ago, but Pochettino has been in charge of the Saints for just 24 games. And what an impact he has had! Having inherited a young team that stuck and grew together during their journey through the lower leagues, the South American coach realized quickly that new faces were required if Southampton were to take their game to the next level. Playing an attractive brand of attacking football Southampton stars Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and the likes were slowly becoming household names. But there was a need to add a certain amount of steel and firepower to this talented side. His shrewd signings in the transfer market are a definite sign of intent and how far the club has come. They worked fast and beat clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton to then club record signing Victor Wanyama. This was followed by them breaking the club transfer record once more by completing the signing of Pablo Osvaldo from Roma. They were also successful in bringing defender Dejan Lovren to St. Mary’s. Having finished most of their transfer business early, the players were given sufficient time to get integrated into the team and soak up the coach’s ideology and tactics.

Pochettino believes that Southampton are where they are because they belong to be there. With this young Southampton side working like a well-oiled machine, the sky could very much be the limit. Lambert and Osvaldo are beginning to form an undeniably lethal partnership up front, while the Saints defence has been one of the stingiest so far letting in just two goals in the six games played. Their efficient midfield marshaled by club captain Adam Lallana are holding their own against the big guns and in Artur Boruc, they have a seasoned goalkeeper who currently shares top spot for most clean sheets in the season.

Looking to break the break the form book and go against history, Pochettino is hoping to steam roll his way beyond a top half finish. He feels that Southampton are a club that can challenge and break into the top four and all that is required to achieve this is the same imagination and bravery adopted so far. All that is left now is for his players to heed his battle cry, and it most certainly will take more than a miracle for the other sides to take the Saints down.