Southampton fans in the tavern are quietly over the moon that they were able to come away from last weekend with all three points despite a nervously frantic second-half at home to West Ham United.

Mauricio Pellegrino is satisfyingly meeting the fans’ expectations with two Premier League games under his belt with him yet to be beaten; an opening draw to Swansea City brings their tally up to four points for the campaign so far.

The Transfer Tavern’s landlord is eagerly anticipating for the third round of top-flight fixtures when they travel north to face division new boys Huddersfield, who themselves have enjoyed an encouraging start to the year.

Their two wins will make it extremely difficult for Southampton to come away from Yorkshire on Saturday with all three points, however the boss will know what it takes to get the victory.

If Pellegrino goes 4-2-3-1, this team will absolutely demolish Huddersfield this weekend…..

GK: Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster has been a steady candidate in the goal for Southampton since he arrived on the south coast in 2014, almost being first-choice for entire duration he’s been at. St Mary’s.

Fans by the bar saw the England international earn a clean sheet in the opening outing of the season against Paul Clement’s Swansea City, however, he did face a more strenuous ninety minutes last weekend against the Hammers.

Forster is ideally a brick wall in the Saints defence and he needs to start the game in Huddersfield on Saturday to ensure the Terriers can’t nick a goal or two.

RB: Cedric Soares

Speaking to the tavern’s bar man, he’s suggested right-back Cedric Soares can already claim to be one of the players of the season for his encouraging performances against Swansea City and West Ham.

The Portuguese man has played 180 minutes of football in the Premier League up to this point and has hardly put a foot wrong, as well as being a real threat out wide.

It will be that attacking threat which Cedric brings to the table that will massively boost Mauricio Pellegrino’s team and it wouldn’t at all surprise me to see him run rapid down his right side.

CB: Jack Stephens

One of the more recent players to graduate from the youth academy into a predominant first-team figure at Southampton is centre-half Jack Stephens.

Prior to the summer, the 23 year-old was a mainstay in the Saints’ match day squad but with the predicament surrounding Virgil van Dijk it has ensured he gets a place in the starting eleven.

Stephens has unquestionably been a solid member of the team this term and it is not surprising to see him adapt so quickly, which makes our landlord think it’ll be wise for Pellegrino to include him at the weekend for his defensive solidarity.

CB: Maya Yoshida

Maya Yoshida was very much an understudy under predecessors Ronald Koeman and Claude Puel but the tavern has seen him become revitalised.

The Japan international has slotted quite calmly into the heart of the back line and isn’t doing himself any harm whatsoever from being the first-choice partnership alongside Jack Stephens.

The duo in defence is what has collectively allowed the Saints to remain unbeaten, especially with the number of chances West Ham had last weekend and this will continue for the visit to Huddersfield.

LB: Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand has to be given an abundance of praise for the way he has handled this summer transfer window; not allowing the newspaper talk to get to his head and continue with what he does best – playing football.

The pacey left-back did pick up a minor injury in the opener at home to Swansea City but that was nothing of concern as he started from the off on Saturday to the Hammers.

The tavern’s landlord thinks the transfer rumours won’t affect his game and that could certainly help to make sure the Saints leave Yorkshire this weekend with all three points.

CDM: Oriol Romeu

Despite a very lacklustre term for Southampton last year, one stand-out player who didn’t receive all the credentials he probably deserved was holding midfielder Oriol Romeu.

The Spaniard has been a quietly integral part in the Saints team since arriving two summers ago and he has definitely fitted superbly well into life on the south coast.

With Huddersfield’s frightening quick attack, Romeu’s role in midfield is vitally important to ensure Southampton leave the Terriers empty handed at the weekend.

CDM: Mario Lemina

An unused substitute for the season curtain raiser against the Swans, the fans by the bar saw summer addition Mario Lemina put in a solid shift in his debut for the Saints at home to West Ham United.

Mauricio Pellegrino saw the Gabon international accumulate sixty minutes of action before being replaced by James Ward-Prowse after a revealing scar in a clash with Hammers midfielder Mark Noble.

Lemina is capable of linking defence with attack and that is how Southampton are most likely going to demolish David Wagner’s Huddersfield on Saturday.

RAM: Dusan Tadic

If the tavern want to see consistency then they will have certainly seen that at Southampton with many players getting the much-needed 180 minutes of top-flight football needed.

That sort of relief is pivotal and Dusan Tadic is another one who fills that category, having also netted himself a goal during the victory over West Ham United.

Pellegrino’s ability for the attacking midfield three ensures Tadic can play a role in the wide positions but as well down the middle – that movement from the Serbian is why he has to be included in the manager’s starting eleven.

CAM: James Ward-Prowse

The 22-year-old was a starter in the opening encounter against Swansea, however, was dropped to the bench in favour of Steven Davis for the visit of the Hammers.

James Ward-Prowse is surely a rising talent but it is time to fulfil that potential and that can only happen if Mauricio Pellegrino pours trust in the midfielder.

He most certainly should be on the team sheet and his eye for a jaw-breaking through pass is precisely what the Saints require when travelling to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

LAM: Manolo Gabbiadini

The tavern’s bar man saw Manolo Gabbiadini get his Premier League tally underway for the season when he netted the opener in the 3-2 triumph last weekend.

Whilst he has finally found the net after a frustrating ninety minutes at home to Swansea, our landlord reckons it would be influential to allow his pace be flourished on the wing, rather than up front.

Fans by the bar agree with this and it is only justifiable for Gabbiadini to stay within the starting eleven, as he can really cause damage to the opposition’s defence.

ST: Charlie Austin

Finishing up the side should be Charlie Austin leading the line after his last-gasp penalty winner last Saturday enabled Southampton to walk away with a win on their hands.

Being benched for the visit of Swansea City probably ensured he has to prove himself and the 28-year-old surely proved his importance with that goal.

Austin’s clinical finishing is exactly what Mauricio Pellegrino will demand from his Saints team and after that eventual encounter, there is no reason why he could be benched for the third game running, according to the tavern’s landlord.

Southampton fans, would you agree with this formation and line-up? Should Pellegrino go unchanged for the journey north to Huddersfield? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!