Not Going South Anymore

By Tan Zhuan Liang and Matthew Mohan, Sports Editor

Underdog Story: Southampton players celebrate another goal
PHOTO: Internet

Who would have thought that Southampton Football Club would be challenging for a top four position in the Barclays Premier League at mid-season?

Very few did.

In fact, many predicted that the club from the south coast of England would be destined to relegation. Last January, in the middle of the 2013/14 season, executive chairman Nicola Cortese resigned from his position.

The situation worsened at the beginning of the 2014/2015 season.

The Saints saw an exodus beginning with the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino and five key players, including captain Adam Lallana who departed for Liverpool and promising left-back Luke Shaw who left for Manchester United. Forward Rickie Lambert and defender Dejan Lovren left along with Lallana while the precocious Calum Chambers left for Arsenal.

Other influential players like French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and top scorer Jay Rodriguez were unsettled at the club too. Then, new boss Ronald Koeman faced a daunting task.

The Dutchman had to build on the Saints’ eighth position from the previous season without the core of the overachieving team.

Yet, despite the difficulties, Southampton has defied all odds and clawed their way into a Champions League position.

The south coast club has won 11 of 20 matches and lost only six. Amazingly, they have the meanest defence in the league, conceding only 15 goals.

Plan for the future

Five years ago, Southampton was heading south. The club was on the brink of liquidation and hovered in League One, two divisions below the Premier League.

The board of directors then proposed a five-year plan highlighting the development of the club’s training facilities and a further integration of home-grown players.

Since then, the club’s youth academy that previously churned out notable players like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has continued to produce talented home-grown players.

With that the club has sinced cashed in with huge transfer fees.

Last season, Southampton sold several graduates of its academy, including Calum Chambers, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, for a combined total of £71 million (S$144 million).

Even so, the Saints’ academy is still flourishing with many of its youngsters making it to the first team.

This season has seen Southampton integrating James Ward-Prowse, Harrison Reed and Matt Targett, who are all under 21, into the fold.

Other home-grown players such as Lloyd Isgrove, Jake Hesketh and Omar Rowe have also made it to the bench.

These academy graduates represented England at the youth level and have been given plenty of playing time in the English Premier League compared to young players from other English clubs, who are rarely given the chance.

This epitomises the progress and faith in the club’s youth academy.

Transfer nous

Southampton’s success had also been due to shrewd acquisitions by their manager.

Koeman moved quickly to fill the hole left by the influential Lallana with the purchase of Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle from the Netherlands’ FC Twente and Feyenoord respectively.

Both players have since impressed for the Saints. Tadic is currently shining as a creative flair player with the third most assists in the league, while Pelle leads the line with eight goals so far.

The loan signings of Toby Alderweireld and Ryan Bertrand have also been a major coup for the club. Both defenders have had an outstanding season — Bertrand in particular, with his darting runs and an eye for goal.

Lastly, Koeman replaced the error prone Arthur Boruc with England international Fraser Forster. A talented goalkeeper with a massive reach, Forster has been worth every penny of the £10 million spent.

Southampton has set its eyes on FC Porto’s defender Bruno Martins Indi and Galatasaray’s midfielder Wesley Sneijder as it continues to bolster its team.

Beautiful football

Beyond the club’s new found defensively solidarity, Koeman’s attacking philosophy has also been another reason for the Saints’ success.

The Dutchman has built the team on possession-based attacking football, regardless of the opponents they face.

“There is no issue to play differently in an away game, even against big clubs,” said the Saints boss.

“If you believe in the way you are playing, you can win against anybody.”

His players have embraced his approach and the Saints have grown from strength to strength.

The lofty lights of the Champions League could soon beckon for Southampton and if they continue to build on their momentum, the Saints will go marching on.