Each day from now until the beginning of the Premier League season, we will preview two teams from England’s top flight. You can view them all here at PST Preview central. Don’t forget, the 2013-14 PL season begins on August 17th, and for the first-time ever you can watch every game live on NBC Sports.
Southampton enter the 2013-14 season after an impressive 14th place finish in last year’s return to the Barclays Premier League. It was the first time the Saints played in the top-flight since the 2004-05 season, putting an end to a seven year hiatus that involved stints in both the Championship and League One. A founding member of the Premier League in 1992–93, the Saints are a club with high aspirations under their controversial yet beloved Italian chairman Nicola Cortese.
Transfers In: D Dejan Lovren (Lyon); M Victor Wanyama (Celtic)
Transfers Out: GK Tommy Forecast (Gillingham); D Danny Butterfield (free agent); D Frazier Richardson (Middlesbrough); D Ryan Dickson (Colchester United); D Danny Seaborne (Yeovil Town); D Vergard Forren (Molde FK); M Steve de Ridder (FC Utrecht); M Richard Chaplow (Millwall); M Ben Reeves (MK Dons); F Sam Hoskins (Yeovil Town); F Alberto Seidi (free agent)
Key Player: Rickie Lambert (pictured) remains the man that makes Southampton tick. The 31 year old striker has scored the goals that have taken the side from League One to the Championship to the Premier League in a matter of two years. During that time Lambert found the back of the net 46 times, earning the League One and Championship Player of the Year awards for his efforts. When pundits questioned whether he could produce at the top level, Lambert answered emphatically by scoring 15 goals in 38 Premier League appearances, tying him with Frank Lampard for top English goalscorer in the league.
A powerful forward with deceptive skill and coolness in front of goal, Lambert is also known as the best spot-kick taker in the league having never missed in 31 attempts for Southampton.
Manager: Mauricio Pochetino was hired by Southampton in January 2013 following the club’s termination of Nigel Adkins. Fans’ initial resistance to the hiring was immediately quelled as the Saints drew with Everton just five days after the hiring before going on to defeat such behemoths as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Pochetino, the former boss at La Liga side Espanyol, has a reputation for developing young academy players and being extremely hard working - he is the first to arrive at the training ground and the last to leave. “I don’t have a life outside football,” the 41 year old admitted last spring.
Pochetino is known for playing a high-pressing game of football that encourages attacking freedom and creativity. One of the more underrated managers in the Premier League, Pochetino may keep a low profile but could surprise a lot of fans with his side’s results this season. Having a close relationship with Cortese, Pochetino’s job, at least to start the season, will be safe.
Outlook: After some inconsistent displays in the first half of last season the Saints settled in under Pochetino and produced some stunning displays. Consistency will remain a key this season but the Saints are good enough to steer clear of the relegation zone and if all goes well, are outside candidates to crack the Top 10.