Southampton have arguably been the success story of recent years in the Premier League, the surprise package who many were convinced would struggle to eventual relegation. Rather than flirt with the relegation spots, The Saints actually had an on/off relationship with the Champions League spots.
Ronald Koeman’s arrival on the South Coast 12 months ago was met with a raft of departures from the same venue. Lallana, Chambers and Lambert all left St Mary’s whilst it appeared Morgan Schneiderlin was waiting in the departure lounge with a boarding pass neatly tucked under his Tottenham branded blazer.
But alas, Schneiderlin stayed and the critics were confounded.
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The Saints would eventually finish only two points off European football and may have heightened expectations to levels that will be difficult to match. So with Koeman about to enter the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’, what can Southampton truly expect to achieve next term?
Southampton’s season arguably finished at the right time, it was clear to see their exploits were beginning to take their toll and their end of season form, bar the obliteration of Aston Villa, was disappointing; picking up only one victory in the last six games.
Whether they simply switched off as they had already achieved what they could only dream of pre-season is unknown, but they certainly were a less daunting prospect to opposition in the closing weeks of the season.
This summer will again test the resolve and the ambition of the decision makers at St Mary’s, it is clear that some of their players will have again attracted the interests of more ‘desirable’ destinations. They must stay stronger in the face of such advances, if Southampton are to establish themselves as a long term member of the upper echelons of the country’s top tier, they must retain the core of this squad.
However, if last summer is anything to go by, fans of Koeman’s men should not hold their breath; they are a club ran sensibly and the long term future of the club will surely be preserved, this could mean once again they are decimated by departures.
This season Southampton were an unknown quantity and for much of the early season were under rated and respected. They caught many teams by surprise, they should expect no such allowances next year and their card will now be marked. Next year may prove to be a wholly different challenge for Koeman and his troops; no longer will they be given the freedom of the green grass of every pitch they play on.
This campaign has been a journey that few anticipated and even fewer expected to last season long. However, next season may prove to be an even tougher assignment for Southampton. But from the dark skies that were overhead last year, the struggles they may face could prove to be a great deal more trivial than many expected them to encounter this term.
This year has been like a holiday for Southampton, sitting at the top table at Monte Carlo, next year will be the true indicator of whether that trip was a long weekend or a more permanent excursion.
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