Our resident Saints fans here in the Transfer Tavern are starting to feel good about their team again.
After a slow start, a run of victories in both the Europa League and Premier League has left them thinking Claude Puel might just be able to do what so many managers before him managed. and
Maintaining their good form despite another upheaval over the summer has been a sewing motif amidst a myriad of managers on the South Coast over the years.
The latest victory was a completely controlled performance against West Ham on Sunday as they brushed aside the club from the capital with a 3-0 victory to leave the Hammers feeling very sorry for themselves.
The tests keep on coming for Puel, though, as this weekend sees the champions Leicester City as the opponent, fresh from beating Porto in the Champions League.
Puel will be confident his side can continue their fine form, though, and our landlord reckons with this line-up he may well be right…
Fraser Forster GK
Saints’ best ‘keeper so has to play.
Cedric Soares RB
Provides both strong defensive and attacking capabilities so is a real asset.
Jose Fonte CB
Not at his best but still decent enough so will play.
Virgil Van Dijk CB
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); An absolute wall against West Ham only cementing his place further.
Ryan Bertrand LB
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Set up Southampton’s first at the weekend it’s good to see him back if you’re a Saints fan.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg RM
Hojbjerg has had a decent start and now he needs to start adding more goals to his game.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Oriol Romeu CM
Romeu is a real force in the central areas and is fast becoming a fan favourite.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Steven Davis CM
You wouldn’t notice the job Davis does unless he came out of the team. A fundamental part of the side.
Dusan Tadic LM
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Tadic made Adrian look silly on Sunday and will surely play this weekend.
Charlie Austin ST
He’s bang in form so must be one of the first on the team-sheet.
(function(){var ids=["snack_dex5","snack_dex6"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-d:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); (function(){var ids=["snack_mex4","snack_mex5","snack_mex6","snack_mex7"];var els=document.querySelectorAll("div.snack-rpt-m:not([id])");for(var i=0;i<els.length&&i<ids.length;i++){els[i].id=ids[i];}})(); Nathan Redmond ST
Redmond is excelling up front despite it not being his natural position and it says a lot he’s keeping Shane Long out of the side.
