Mauricio Pochettino is looking to build on the Saints’ first season back in the English Premier League by producing quality football more consistently, especially against bottom-half rivals.
What happened last season
The big story, of course, was the mid-season sacking of Nigel Adkins, so Mauricio Pochettino had a fair deal of pressure on him to keep Southampton afloat.
The fact he was able to finish 14th and produce some sparkling football in big wins over Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City perhaps glossed over some of the issues the Saints had against teams in the bottom half.
The reality was that Pochettino won only a quarter of his games, and while he was able to press and disrupt the big guns via his 4-2-3-1, he had less success against those lower.
The contrast was stark.
At their best, they were a joy to behold, playing through midfield via impressive screeners Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin, who enabled the attacking midfielders Rodriguez, Gaston Ramirez, Jason Puncheon and Adam Lallana to create around the prolific Rickie Lambert.
At their worst they struggled to play through packed defences, resorting to hitting Lambert long. Too often it was hit or miss football.
What happened in the off-season
Southampton’s biggest weakness last season was undoubtedly their defence, particularly in the opening few months.
After conceding 60 goals, Pochettino was moved to bring in highly rated Croatian central defender Dejan Lovren from Lyon.
Pochettino is confident Lovren will suit the EPL.
The other major recruit, record signing Victor Wanyama from Celtic, is also designed to stiffen the Saints’ spine, but for now has a job ahead of him getting in front of either Cork or Schneiderlin.
If Pochettino can prize another quality striker, and there have been many names thrown around, he will have strengthened the squad across all the thirds.
Why Southampton fans should be excited about the 2013/14 season
This team showed it can play a great brand of football, pressing opponents high, keeping the ball and then using it well in the final third.
Lovren should really strengthen the Saints, Wanyama adds depth down the guts and if Pochettino can get a little more consistency from the attacking trio – Ramirez, Lallana and Rodriguez – especially away from St Mary’s, they could have a great season.
If Lovren can settle in, there’s certainly promise around him in defence through fullbacks Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw.
The main man that can carry Southampton’s 2013/14 hopes
If the base and structure is in order, then Lambert, if he can push towards 20 goals, should ensure the Saints not only avoid relegation, but push towards the top half.
One of his big strengths is he can combine on the ground with Ramirez, Lallana and Rodriguez, but equally can act as a target if Southampton need to play long.
Unless they manage to pick someone up before the window closes, Pochettino can ill-afford to miss Lambert for a prolonged period.
While the likes of Ramierz and Lallana need to be more consistent, Lambert remains the most bankable goal-scorer and the key man.
Verdict – Mid-table
More consistency away from St Mary’s and better results against those in the relegation zone should help keep the Saints out of the drop-zone.
At the very least they should have a better start than last season, when they won only one of their opening 10 games, and this season’s early draw certainly appears to do them some favours.
It features home games against two of the promoted sides in the first half of the campaign, and they don’t take on a Champions League representative in the first two months.
In fact, it’s not until December they take on two of the championship favourites in Chelsea and Manchester City.
New Southampton signing Victor Wanyama was a hit for Celtic in the 2012/3 UEFA Champions League.
Southhampton manager Mauricio Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins mid-season.
Rickie Lambert found the net 15 times for Southampton during the 2012/13 EPL season.
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