Southampton looks to have done some shrewd business

Ronald Koeman has now inspired Southampton to five consecutive victories in all competitions

The doom and gloom that surrounded Southampton this summer was one of the big talking points of the summer.

However, last night’s 2-1 victory at Arsenal in the third round of the Capital One Cup was the Saints fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.

The Gunners may have fielded a weakened team with a lot of youngsters, but the men from the south coast still had to complete the job, which they did well.

Exodus

A lot of people feared the worst for the Saints when boss Mauricio Pochettino was followed out the St Marys exit door by the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers in the summer.

Half of the team from last season had left for pastures new, but the Saints had recouped a lot of money.

I think I was one of the few people who actually thought that the Saints may have done some good business in the transfer market this summer.

Arrivals

The exodus meant that Southampton had money to spend, but a lot of personnel to replace. The first person the Saints needed to replace was Pochettino. The Argentine’s replacement Ronald Koeman came in with a decent managerial reputation, having also enjoyed a trophy laden playing career.

The Dutchman has managed to combine the new players with the remaining players superbly. It seems the former-Feyenoord boss has got his football philosophy across to his squad very quickly.

Koeman’s signings have already made a big impact on the team. The two of biggest players to arrive were familiar to Koeman from the Eredivisie. Those players were Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic, who have settled into the Saints team very quickly.

Italian striker Pelle has scored three goals in his five Premier League appearances so far for the Saints, but more importantly is a good focal point for their attack. The 29-year-old had been prolific in the Dutch top-flight and seems to have the attributes to score goals in the Premier League.

Pelle is looking like a very good replacement for England international Rickie Lambert. If he continues to perform the way he has been then not many will be lamenting the sale of veteran striker Lambert.

Tadic is starting to look like a very shrewd midfield signing. The Serbian playmaker arrived in England from Dutch side FC Twente as a player with the ability to both score and create goals. Tadic scored the equaliser in last night’s clash and looks to have the vision and skill to be a hit in the English top-flight.

At the back Koeman brought in England international keeper Fraser Forster and the former-Newcastle keeper has looked solid so far. Last season’s first choice keeper Artur Boruc had a decent campaign, but Koeman obviously thought he needed a new man between the sticks and the Polish international was recently sent out on-loan to Championship outfit Bournemouth.

The Saints brought in Chelsea full-back Ryan Bertrand on-loan to replace the outgoing Shaw and the full-back has not let anybody down.

Republic of Ireland forward Shane Long joined the Saints from Hull for £12million, which looked like a slightly inflated fee. However, Long will run all day and keeps opposition defences busy for 90 minutes.

Recent signings Toby Alderweireld, Florian Gardos and Sadio Mane have had very little chance to impress for Southampton. Winger Mane made his debut at Arsenal and looked very lively for Koeman’s team.

The 22-year-old won the penalty for the Saints equaliser and also hit the post. The Senegalese international looks like he could be another shrewd signing from Saints boss Koeman.

Gardos made his first start for the Saints at Arsenal and did not do much wrong. The Romanian could prove to be an excellent replacement for Croatian international Dejan Lovren who moved to Liverpool for £20million.

Strategy

Southampton’s transfer strategy this summer has been very clever. They made a lot of money from selling talented, if overpriced players and brought in relatively unknown replacements for lower fees.

Most of the new arrivals are in their mid-twenties, so will have decent sell-on fees if other clubs want to sign them in the future, which is clever business by the Saints all around really.

Successful

Nobody at Southampton will get carried away by their teams start to the Premier League campaign. The Saints currently sit second in the Premier League table with a home encounter against QPR to come this weekend, a game they are odds of 4/9 to win.

Despite the need not to get carried away, Southampton fans must be taking great delight in their teams recent run.

The Saints have defied the summer doom mongers and could actually enjoy a better season than their last one, which would be just reward for a club many predicted would struggle this season.

Is the Southampton squad stronger than last season?