There is a slight sense of panic beginning to creep in among our resident Saints fans in the Transfer Tavern following their performances of recent weeks.

Further more, the South Coast club have been rocked by the transfer request from skipper, Jose Fonte which has resulted in his absence from the Saint’s squad.

Perhaps more crucially is the possibility of losing Fonte’s centre back partner, Virgil van Dijk though these rumours seemed to have been cooled as the Saints’ executive director Les Reed has publicly said the Dutchman is not for sale.

Our landlord believes the Saints will do well not to lose key players this transfer window and keeping them may well be as good as signings.

However, with a new striker needed – this could well be the Southampton XI come Feb 1st…

GK: Fraser Forster

An important member of Claude Puel’s side, Forster will be in goal for the Saints for the foreseeable future.

RB: Cedric Soares

The Euro 2016 winner has been integral to a defence which has only conceded 26 goals so far this season.

CB: Maya Yoshida

Chosen by Puel to replace captain, Jose Fonte, as he looks to force a move away from the Saints.

CB: Virgil van Dijk

Our landlord believes any suitors will be put off by van Dijk due to the £50 million price tag slapped on his forehead, by the Saints though he may not be a Saints player come next season.

LB: Ryan Bertrand

Another vital cog to Southampton’s well oiled defence, Bertrand remains one of the most underrated full backs in the Premier League.

CM: Jordy Clasie

The Dutchman has really endeared himself to our resident Saints fans in the Transfer Tavern, and they hope to see more from Clasie this second half of the season.

CM: Oriol Romeu

The former Barca and Chelsea man has really found his feet under Claude Puel, and our landlord expects his impressive form to continue this second half of the season.

CM: James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse has recently called on his team mates to keep focus for the rest of the season, though his performances will have a big say in where the Saints end up in the league come May.

RM: Nathan Redmond

A player that excites our resident Saints fans here in the Transfer Tavern, Redmond will need to play a part in an attack that has only scored 19 goals in the league this season.

ST: Manolo Gabbiadini

With the Saints struggling for goals, it is reported that they will move for £20m rated Gabbiadini in order to boost their attacking ranks.

LM: Dusan Tadic

The Serbian international has only found the net once in all competitions this season, which our landlord believes to be one of the major contributions to Southampton’s low goal scoring issue.