It's Round and It's White
Nigel Adkins’ Saints are back in the Premier League after a seven year absence after the boys in red and white secured back to back promotions from League One up through the Championship, into the best league in the world.
Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese is showing great ambition, which will undoubtedly thrill all Saints fans. They may have gained back to back promotions, but they’re not standing still now and, according to Cortese, this is just the beginning.
Being a Saints season ticket holder last year, I was privileged enough to watch them play the fantastic football they offered week in week out. The trickery from Adam Lallana, the power and strength of Rickie Lambert, the composure of Jose Fonte, and the rest.
Saints have already strengthened their squad early in the transfer window, with the signings of young striker Jay Rodriguez and former Rangers midfielder Steven Davis.
Rodriguez scored 15 league goals last year at the young age of 22, and earned his place in the nPower Championship Team of the Year alongside Lambert up front. I believe this is a fantastic signing for Saints as he’s a young striker already scoring goals at a good level. He clearly has a lot of potential, and can successfully fill the boots of ageing striker Lambert.
Davis rejected the chance to join the newco Rangers side and instead signed a three-year deal with the newly promoted south coast side. Davis, 27, provides vast experience which will undoubtedly benefit the Saints. He has already played in the Premier League for two teams in Aston Villa and Fulham and has also been capped 51 times for Northern Ireland. With 140 appearances for Rangers, Davis has played all over Europe in the Champions League and on international duty. He should be a great signing, provided he is granted his international clearance to play for Saints.
I believe these two signings are the start of something great, and Cortese has shown great ambition by bringing in these two players. If Southampton can keep hold of their young talent, rather than being the feeder club to Arsenal like so many years, I believe they can maintain a strong position in the Premier League to become a force to be reckoned with from next season.
