Southampton have improved season after season for the last seven years whilst losing key playing and technical staff along the way.
The names that have left were the ones that grabbed all the headlines, the likes of Rickie Lambert bagged the goals while Schneiderlin held things together to allow players such as Adam Lallana to dazzle opponents with his trickery.
Whilst the three named were all very good players and rightfully earned moves to bigger clubs there are many more that have stayed, worked hard and spent most of their time at Southampton outside of the limelight.
Transfer Tavern have picked out THREE Saints players that have put in superb performances all season but maybe have not been given the credit they deserve outside of St. Mary’s Stadium, click below and see if you agree with our selection…
Hit the image below to see THREE Southampton players who need more credit!
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STEVEN DAVIS
The Northern Ireland Captain has been the heartbeat of the Saints team over the past season, scoring a career record 5 league goals. The composure that the 31-year-old shows in any situation was tantamount in Saints earning results over the last season, furthermore the work rate that Davis shows is second to none in the Southampton midfield.
Davis has the ability to drop deep and create something by carrying the ball forward or whether he contributes with intricate passing or finishing in the final third. His vision when watching the game from a far before dropping in and contributing is sensational and shows why he is such a vital player for both club and country.
RYAN BERTRAND
Arguably the best player over the last two seasons for Saints, Bertrand goes about his business quietly but spectacularly. In the age of wing-backs flying forward and leaving gaps at the back, Bertrand provides a very solid service to his manager having registered no defensive errors last season.
This is not to say that he is no good going forward, Bertrand works exceedingly well with whomever is put ahead of him on the left wing, he is always keen to provide the overlap and then look to play the winger back in or whip in a cross.
Bertrand impressed those in high places this season and won the President’s Award at this seasons Player Awards, as selected by Terry Paine and is currently in France with the England squad.
JOSE FONTE
One of the only players left in the squad from the dark days of League One, Fonte has been a key element in many a Southampton back line over the years and just like a fine red, has only got better with age.
Virgil Van Dijk had plaudits heaped upon him after his maiden season on the South Coast – and rightly so – but the praise for the Dutchman did somewhat take away the effect that the Portuguese international had within an impressive defence last season.
Where around him the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Luke Shaw and Toby Alderweireld have come and gone around him Fonte has remained a constant figure in an impressive team and is now an impassioned and professional Captain of the side.
