Southampton are flying at last.

After another summer of turmoil and departures threatening to throw their season off course before it had even begun and their fans here in the Transfer Tavern looking glum, things are looking up.

They’ve found some good form in the Premier League after a slow start and look like the side they were last season, which means Claude Puel deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done.

The Saints could have had a cricket score against Burnley at the weekend and they can now look forward to one of the biggest games in their history against Inter Milan in the Europa League with no fear.

Their participation in Europe has once again put the spotlight on squad depth and the Frenchman Puel needs to make sure he keeps everyone as fresh as he possibly can, with the decisions he makes.

Our landlord agrees, and reckons he’d be doing no harm in using these TWO as impact subs over the coming weeks…

Shane Long

Shane Long was once the Saints’ man striker but he has since fallen down the pecking order and should be used as an impact player for now.

He has pace to burn and if games get to sixty minutes in and it’s still tight, the Irishman could be the key difference.

He’s a decent enough finisher so you can always count on him to grab a vital goal or two.

Sofiane Boufal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1417CiH0SCg

The new signing in the summer was met with a fair deal of excitement but, because injuries, we’ve haven’t seen what he’s about yet here in the Premier League.

Puel should bring him on as an impact sub, then, to start with at least so he can adapt to the league easier, guard against further setbacks and keep that air of the unknown around him for a bit longer.