After returning to the Premier League back in 2012, it’s safe to say that Southampton haven’t looked back, and their supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern have been absolutely delighted with the progress they’ve made since.

An 8-0 win over Sunderland, a 6-1 win thrashing of Aston Villa and the quickest hat-trick ever scored in the Premier League are just a few things we’ve seen from the Saints in recent years. They’re back and this time, it looks like they’re here for good.

And whilst they’ve acquired some really quality players along the way, our landlord thinks that there are some truly underrated individuals in this current Saints crop.

They’re the sort that don’t seem to get the headlines, despite putting in consistently solid performances on the big stage.

Not all heroes wear capes and here at the Transfer Tavern, we want to give everyone a chance to shine.

So with that in mind, here’s our THREE Southampton players that we feel are seriously underrated…

Jose Fonte

Despite being club captain, defensive praise often falls on the shoulders of Virgil Van Dijk, who is much more of a “modern” centre-back. He can bring the ball out of the back-four, is decent with it at his feet and can score goals too.

But the scrapper of the pairing is definitely Jose Fonte, who has been at the heart of the defence throughout the whole of Southampton’s rise through the divisions.

He stayed at the club this summer despite reported interest from Manchester United and our landlord thinks that he’s a player that should really get more credit than he does.

James Ward-Prowse

Often left off the team-sheet due to competition; but there is little doubt here in the Tavern that James Ward-Prowse has the potential to be a future Southampton star.

He faces really tough competition in the middle of the park with Jordy Clasie, Steven Davis, Harrison Reed, Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg all contesting for places.

But when Ward-Prowse does get the chance to come on and play, he always takes his chance.

He scored two goals in a 3–0 win home win against West Bromwich Albion last season and also signed a new contract until 2022. There’s real promise with Ward-Prowse and he deserves all the credit in the world.

A real fan favourite amongst the Southampton faithful here in the Tavern

Steven Davis

Plenty of the headlines last season went to the likes of Pelle, Redmond and Tadic – they are all figures that create and make things happen going forward.

But our landlord believes that one man at the heart of this side is Steven Davis, whose importance to this team cannot be overlooked in the slightest.

He’s hardworking, scores goals and brings his colleagues into the game but still hasn’t really had the chance to play at the highest level in the game.

Southampton wouldn’t be the same side without Davis in the team and he deserves that recognition.

The Southampton fans here in the Tavern love him.