Will the Saints' fairytale continue?

Circa one year back in November and Southampton were at the bottom of the EPL table after a torrid start meant just five points in their opening 11 games. The year before they were in the Championship and had to sweat it out to be back in the top flight.

After comprehensively beating Hull City 4-1 last Saturday, they are now 3rd in the table after 11 games, just 3 points behind leaders Arsenal. And to think that in those 11 games, they’ve beaten Liverpool – who have been fantastic themselves this season at Anfield and a deserving 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, you could say they are having a dream run. This has been their best start to the season in the top flight, since finishing runners-up in 1983-84.  Much of the credit can be given to manager Mauricio Pochettino who has been praised by critics as well for a display of attacking flair which was missing last season. The level of optimism was highlighted by his words when he said that the Saints might even be competing for European places as early as this year. Pochettino bagged the BPL Manager of the Month award for October and rewards were seen in the form of inclusions in the England squad for Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, a remarkable achievement for 3 Saints players to be included at the same time!

Southampton has traditionally always been credited to having one of the best academies in English football, giving us the likes of Alan Shearer and Wayne Bridge. Also, more recently you’ve had Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain knocking on the doors of the national team’s doors and giving further weight to its credentials. English boss Roy Hodgson would have been licking his lips after a wonderful display by the Saints against Hull, which he witnessed first-hand. You could see that he obviously enjoyed what he saw, with cameras catching him grinning throughout and even chatting with the Saints chairman Nicola Cortese.

All that would be put to test after the international break when they travel to Emirates to face the leaders and Chelsea at Stamford bridge the week later. Another thing is for sure, if they have to continue to be in the top four, they need to spend in the January transfer window, when the leaders run-away from the mid-table teams and the depth in your squad gets tested after the winter break.

For now, let the dream run continue..