With the summer transfer window now slammed shut, many Southampton fans are glad to see that there will be no more departures from St.Mary’s for at least another four months.

As well as many players leaving the Saints, including Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, manager Mauricio Pochettino also left for pastures new, moving to north London with Tottenham Hotspur. However, Ronald Koeman has come onto the south coast and has steadied a very rocky ship. As well as bringing in new blood to replace the departures, on the basis of their promising and surprising start to the season, Koeman has got them playing in exactly the same way as Pochettino did, exciting.

Having a prestigious playing career, the Dutchman played for clubs including Ajax, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord and was considered one of the best midfielders in the world in 1980-1997. With a stunning playing career to be proud of, Koeman also boasts being a fantastic manager, and has taken charge of clubs such as his old teams Ajax, PSV and Feynoord, as well as Spanish side Valencia and Portuguese giants Benfica. Making the immediate move from playing to managing can become a struggle for most, but Koeman has taken it like a duck to water.

Now that Southampton are experiencing their first mountain to climb since being promoted back into England’s top flight in 2012, Koeman has started as Pochettino left off. After their first game away at Liverpool, many thought before the game that Liverpool would produce a goal spree, but it wasn’t the case. If it wasn’t for the added quality and potent attack for the Reds, the Merseysiders may not have come away with a victory. A draw at home to West Brom could be classed as disappointing for the Saints as their flowing football caused the Baggies all sorts of problems. Finally, away at West Ham, they got what they finally deserved, completely outplaying the Hammers and leaving with a well deserved 3-1 victory.

QUIZ: Can you name the top 50 Premier League goal scorers of all time?

The new signings have already proved that they can cut it in England’s top flight. Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle are two of many arrivals that have impressed early doors. Tadic, a Serbian international, has the same qualities and attributes as Lallana, while Pelle has proven to be a straight replacement for Lambert and a strong presence who can bully his way through the opposition defence. With questions being asked of Joe Hart, Fraser Forster is the ideal shot stopper to replace him as England’s number one.

With three games in, Hart’s England understudy has only conceded three goals in three games since his arrival from Scottish champions Celtic, and has produced some impressive saves. With the recent arrivals of Toby Alderweireld and Sadio Mane from Atletico Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg respectively, Southampton are slowly looking a threat.

Despite signing a plethora of new plaers, Southampton have managed to keep hold of some talented youngsters aswell. James Ward-Prowse has had to make the step up and is doing so with style so far. Southampton’s famed academy has produced some magnificent talent, and Ward-Prowse is no exception. With vision and flair aswell as being an expert from dead ball situations, Ward-Prowse could have a few of the big guns sniffing around for his signature. Another is Nathanial Clyne, a free transfer from Crystal Palace two years ago, Clyne is another player who should be recognised as an England international by Roy Hodgson, having had problems in the right back position in the past.

With Koeman’s experience, man management and tactical expertise, the Saints have what it takes to finish another season in the top half of the table.

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