It has been a very eventful few years in the Premier League for the Southampton fans in the Football Transfer Tavern…

Southampton 5 years ago were a team that had finally reached the summit of English football by making it to the Premier League.

Whilst the majority of newly promoted sides struggle as they transition to the top flight, Southampton’s rise has had quite the opposite effect.

During the Saints five-year tenure in the Premier League – the club has become a real force to be reckoned with.

Even so, whilst the club have remained comfortable in the top flight – there have definitely been some huge mistakes that have made the Southampton fans in the Football Transfer Tavern think “what if?”.

With that said, here are the 3 key mistakes Southampton have made over the past 5 years.

The Loss of Key Players

Many fans in the Transfer Tavern love a good dream team. So as they have a pint and sit down with their paper – they create their dream Premier League side.

Some names they will probably include will be Shaw, Lallana, Clyne, and maybe even Wanyama. It’s crazy to think that all these players once donned Southampton’s red and white.

Now whilst the loss of these big names has not affected Southampton’s rise up the table – it does make you wonder where the club would be if they were retained.

Seeing all these Southampton players currently achieving things with big clubs shows that it was a key mistake letting so many of them leave.

Managerial Departures

You can’t blame the managers for leaving, but in the last five years, Southampton have lost two great managers in Pochettino and Koeman. Both men are just as responsible for Southampton’s rise in the Premier League as the players who played under them.

Now while Pochettino’s move to Tottenham was seen as a step up – it does make you wonder if the club could have convinced the Argentine to continue, especially as he was clearly building something with the Saints.

Following that, Ronald Koeman was brought in and things couldn’t have gone better.

He continued Southampton’s rise up the table and lead them to a European spot in the last 2 seasons. Then he moved to Everton.

Many fans in the transfer Tavern were scratching their heads wondering if they had too much to drink when the news broke – because it didn’t really seem like a step up.

With Koeman’s exit and Puel’s pressure to continue Southampton’s momentum – it might have been one risk too many.

European Failure

Last season Southampton had the opportunity to compete in the Europa League. This was what the club  and the fans had been waiting for.  A chance to play football in Europe.

But it didn’t happen.

Southampton got knocked out in the play-offs to FC Midtjylland, a team which they should have beaten.

Now while they have secured European football this season once again – last season was still a missed opportunity.

The chance to go into the Europa League and make history for your club should be something that can never be taken lightly. They must take their opportunity this year.