Our Southampton fans here at the Transfer Tavern have been rather underwhelmed by the start that their club has made to life under Claude Puel.

The Frenchman had big boots to fill after the departure of Ronald Koeman to Everton and, as yet, the jury is still out.

Having been eliminated from the Europa League the Saints must look to get their league form back on track and push their way up the table.

With the January window now open it is important that the French gaffer gets it right and brings in the right players to help them surge towards a Europa League spot.

During the summer they made some good additions but ultimately losing Saido Mane was a big loss and they’ve yet to find someone to replace the goals he provided for the club, as well as losing Victor Wanyama who has proven how important he was with his performances for Spurs of late.

Southampton have gained quite the reputation as a selling club and you’d like to think with the amount of money they’ve made from selling players that they’d have a big transfer kitty to use to invest back in new players! They simply have to sign a couple of players, at least, then, if they want to push back up the table.

That in mind then, here are two players the club should sign and two they should get rid of this month – according to our landlord…

In: Daniel Sturridge

It would be an audacious move for the England and Liverpool striker but not an unrealistic ambition to bring him to the club.

Southampton are more known for selling to Liverpool but why not try and land a player from them! The 27-year-old has had an injury hit season this campaign – as he had the previous year – but when fit he can be one of the deadliest strikers in the league and can cause sides all kinds of problems – he just needs to keep himself fit.

Out: Shane Long

It hasn’t been a season to remember for the Ireland international with him barely getting a sniff of first-team action under Claude Puel.

The 28-year-old may opt to leave the south-coast side in order to get his career back on track and get back to being the goal scoring striker that he, and we, all know he can be. The forward can be a very useful asset for Premier League sides as long as he gets somewhere where he can settle in quickly.

In: Nabil Fekir

The Lyon midfielder has played a fair amount this season but a move away could be great for the 23-year-old who is very much so a talent.

The Saints boss may look to bring in players he knows well in order to help him and his side progress to where it is they feel they should be. A player of Fekir’s quality could add to the options they have currently at the club in the central attacking area and with his ability to also play wide, he really could help fill the void left by Mane moving to Liverpool.

Out: Jose Fonte

When a player hands in a transfer request as Fonte has, whether it be your captain or your fourth choice striker, it normally means that the player will be allowed to leave the club as it’s clear that the player isn’t happy, so a move away will be what is best for both club and player.

In this instance it’ll be a big loss for the Saints with it looking likely that their long serving captain is set to leave the club, but at 33-years-old he has to make a move before it comes far too late in his career for him to fulfill whatever it is he wishes to.

Thoughts, Saints fans? Let us know below!