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Last season was very much a season of two halves for Southampton, narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship in the final few weeks of the season. Will this be a better year, or are the Saints in for another tough one?
The Saints finished 16th in the table, one place higher than the previous season, and largely struggled under Mark Hughes until Austrian Ralph Hassenhuttl, who came in to the club in November rescued the club from relegation.
Nathan Redmond (9) netted the most goals for the Saints, while only Danny Ings (8) and James Ward-Prowse (7) made it past five goals in what was a tough year for the South Coast club.
Transfers
In:
Danny Ings (£20 million) – Liverpool
Che Adams (£15 million) – Birmingham City
Moussa Djenepo (£14 million) – Standard Liege
Out:
Matt Targett (£17 million) – Aston Villa
Sam Gallagher (£5 million) – Blackburn Rovers
Jordy Clasie (Free) – Az Alkmaar
Steven Davis (Free) – Rangers
Jack Rose (Loan) – Walsall
Alfie Jones (Loan) – Gillingham
Tyreke Johnson (Loan) – Woking
Fixtures
Southampton travel to Turf Moor on the opening day to face Burnley, before hosting Liverpool at St Mary’s in their first home game.
The other two games in August see a visit along the coast to face Brighton, while Manchester United visit to round of the end of the first month.
Overall, it’s a mixed start for the Saints in terms of fixtures with the away games looking the more likely source of points compared to the home games.
Ralph Hassenhuttl
The Saints boss has spoken with the season just around the corner.
“I think we are on a good level in the pre-season but still with things to work on,” he said.
“In the Premier League if you are not committed every time then it is very dangerous so I liked this test very much, it was perfect.
We have one more week and hopefully we start in a good shape.”
Aims
Having narrowly avoided relegation in the last couple of seasons, the Saints will be keen to stay out of the relegation battle from the off.
Anywhere just below mid-table would be a more than a respectable aim for the Saints, having recruited well in attack, particularly in the form of Che Adams.
A cup run would also be something which Saints fans will be looking for after missing out on a semi-final in the Carabao Cup last season.
Predicted XI
Gunn, Valery, Bednerak, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Ings, Adams.
