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Ahead of Saturday's game at St Mary's Stadium,
we caught up with Southampton fan Jack. He gives us his views on the Saints'
summer transfer dealings, Ronald Koeman, the Baggies and more. You can follow Jack on Twitter
@_JackL_
It’s been a turbulent last
few months for Southampton fans with first the loss of your manager and then a
number of your better players. What’s the current mood like amongst supporters?
A lot better than a couple of months ago, it's fair to say.
The board seem to have put a stop to the outgoings which at one point seemed to
be spiralling out of control and, with the addition of some solid signings,
we're looking up again. Supporters seem to be encouraged by the
Liverpool game, despite the
result. We showed that the 'crisis' and 'meltdown' labels from the national
media not too long ago were very far-fetched and that the core of our team can
still compete with the best sides in the division on our day.
First thoughts
on Ronald Koeman, would he have been your number one choice to replace Mauricio
Pochettino?
His name was banded about from the start of the selection
process and the majority were very happy with his appointment. He's brought
about a calming influence at a time where we lacked direction and leadership. I
don't think there were many other candidates that really excited our fans as
much as Koeman. His work turning around the fortunes of Feyenoord was very
impressive and something that I think attracted our board to him, along with his
eagerness to play good football whilst bringing through youngsters to the first
team - identical philosophies to our own, of course.
Are you happy
with the signings the club has made so far? Many people have accused the Saints
of paying way over the odds for the likes of Forster and Long, is that a fair
assessment?
I'm very happy with the signings so far, yes. I think it came
across in the article I did for you before last year's meeting that I'm a big
Shane Long fan. He brings pace to the team that we generally lack and the
ability to get in behind opposition defences. Whether he'll play alongside Pelle
in Koeman's preferred
3-5-2 (if he deploys the formation with us) or as a long striker it yet to be
seen, but I'm sure he'll come good.
Saphir Taider came in on loan from Inter Milan and scored on
his debut for the Under 21's today (Monday). Although I haven't seen much of
him, he adds something different to our attacking options and I believe he can
play across the middle of the park. He'll do well to force the
ever-reliable Steven Davis out of the team however.
Dusan Tadic left his mark on the game at Anfield with an
assist and an all-round great display. He was described as the best player in
the Dutch league last season so fans are expecting big things from the Serbian.
Fraser Forster provides a solution to the goalkeeping issue
we've had ever since getting back into the Premier League. £10m may seem like a
lot but considering he's only 26 and has Champions League experience, I actually
think it's a bargain for a 'keeper who dominates his area so well.
Graziano Pelle has followed Koeman to St Mary's from
Feyenoord and with an impressive goalscoring record to boot so fans are hoping
he'll hit the ground running for us. Although, judging by his performance at
Anfield (which wasn't awful), he may take time to settle to the English game.
Playing up top on your own against
Liverpool isn't an easy baptism
to a new league though.
Ryan Bertrand looked solid on
Sunday and got forward well, linking up with Tadic to cause Manquillo a real
headache. It's a risk-free deal being a loan-to-buy and he has a lot to prove,
so hopefully we'll get the best of his ability whilst he's with us.
Lastly, Florin Gardos, a
relative unknown CB from Steaua Bucharest, has been brought in to play alongside
new club captain Jose Fonte. Fans are hoping he'll be an improvement on our two
other current centre-halves, Jos Hooiveld and Maya Yoshida. He has big shoes to
fill with Dejan Lovren's departure but his comes in with a good reputation (his
performances for Steaua propelled him into the Romania national squad after
Chiriches left for Spurs).
According to reports you were
pretty unlucky against Liverpool on Sunday?
We deserved at least a point out of the game, arguably all
three. Steven Davis fluffed a wonderful chance to give us a 2-1 lead and not
long after that, Sturridge scored the winner. His goal was
very disappointing from a defensive point of view. As with every game against
the top sides, you have to take your chances and we were punished in the end. As
I mentioned before though, the performance was a very good one and Koeman
commented after the game that if we play to that level repeatedly, the points
will come (hopefully starting on Saturday!)
Highlight of
last season?
The win at Anfield was very special, especially considering
our hideous overall record on Merseyside. Unfortunately, it pains to look back
at that game a bit now, considering our goalscorer on that day now plays for
Liverpool after throwing
his toys out the pram to get a move there. Dismantling Newcastle 4-0 was
probably our most complete display of 2013/14, though.
Low point of
last season?
The FA Cup exit at
Sunderland was hard to swallow, considering how secure we were in
the Premier League. Pochettino never seemed to take the
cup competitions that seriously which irritated supporters as we saw last season
as a real opportunity to reach a Wembley final again. A weakened side meant we
failed to beat Sunderland
for the fourth time last season. We were sick to death of them by February.
Player of last
season?
Adam Lallana was majestic. He added the end product to his
skill and ability on the ball. It was little wonder that the vultures swooped
for him, especially after becoming an
England regular. His body
language at the end of season awards dinner suggested he wanted to play at the
top level and we received decent money for him, it was just a shame that he left
in a such a bitter way.
Villain of
last season?
Nobody, really. Apart from a boardroom reshuffle in January,
last season was fairly blameless. The 'villains' become apparent during the
summer.
How’s
pre-season gone for the Saints?
We were undefeated until the last game at home to Bayer
Leverkusen and conceded our first goal in our penultimate game against
Brighton. The opposition, apart
from the Germans, were fairly sub-standard but, during a period of transition,
the younger players staked their claim for a regular spot this season.
Player to
watch this season?
Dusan Tadic should do well, but I think it's three players
who have stayed with us from last year - Nathaniel Clyne, James Ward-Prowse and
Lloyd Isgrove - who will really shine in Koeman's system. Watch out for
Ward-Prowse's set-pieces this season, he should (given the first team game time)
get a fair few assists.
Prediction for Southampton’s
season?
12th and hopefully a cup run too! We'll struggle to reach the
heights of last season and our Christmas/New Year period may kill any momentum
that we could build up in the next few months but I've seen enough, even in the
first game, to suggest we should get to the magical 40 points with relative ease
(famous last words!). There's certainly worse squads than ours, which is
comforting.
Prediction
for Albion’s season?
The Alan Irvine appointment raised a few eyebrows but he's a
good coach and should get the best out of the younger players like Berahino. I
think you'll need a couple more signings before I could predict you'll be safe
but I think it'll be struggle for you guys to the last whistle.
Premier League
Champions?
Chelsea. They've finally solved
the striker problem with the signing of Costa. City will challenge them all the
way but Chelsea's midfield options are immense, even on a bad day.
Relegated?
Palace, QPR and
Burnley.
Prediction
for Saturday’s game?
1-1. Late equaliser from
West Brom after we fail to take
our chances.
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