Southampton are preparing for a return to the Premier League following their promotion via the Championship play-offs.
The 2023/24 season was one of real change, as manager Russell Martin was appointed following the club’s relegation before transforming the playing style; all whilst dealing with the loss of numerous players in the summer.
Having fallen short of the automatic promotion spots, Southampton managed to navigate the play-offs and beat Leeds United 1-0 in the Wembley final at the end of May to secure their Premier League place for next season.
There is a lot of work to be done, with the squad needing additions to be ready for a return to England’s top tier.
Southampton FC News have now spoken exclusively to The Athletic football reporter Jacob Tanswell about what the club are aiming for in the transfer market, the job Martin has done and whether Southampton’s style of play can work in the Premier League.
Tanswell is a Southampton fan who covered the club in the 2022/23 season before reporting on Aston Villa last season.
Jacob Tanswell on the positions Southampton should target this summer
“It will be mainly around the loan market that will influence things around who they sign. If they can’t get Flynn Downes they’ll have to get another holding midfielder.
They will look for a winger as well. Obviously David Brooks is going back [to Bournemouth] and I think Russell Martin has wanted a winger on the right for a long time so they’ll look at that position.
They’ll also look in the forward positions, up front, regarding Che Adams’ situation, but even if he stays they’ll still get another striker in.
Goalkeeper, of course. They’re looking at centre-back too. Essentially, in short, the spine of the team is the big issue, but also left-back and right wing too.”
Tanswell on the job Russell Martin has done at Southampton
“Russell Martin has done an excellent job. I think what I’ve been impressed with is the more intangible aspects.
Of course, he’s set up a style of play that’s organised, it’s well coached, you can see how well drilled it is; the nuances of the rotations in possession are fantastic.
But, more impressive is the intangibles. How he’s managed to shift a team that was broken in some ways after relegation, confidence was low, not knowing how to win games, see games out, the atmosphere at St Mary’s was poor.
Gradually, in terms of the fanbase, winning them over and ensuring there was a more optimistic atmosphere but also the players believed in what he coached and what he said.
He’s inspired a community and a unity around the club and he’s an extremely good man-manager, which has not always been the case in recent years.
He’s done a fantastic job. Of course it’s going to be very difficult next year but I’m extremely excited to see how he adapts to the Premier League.
I think a back five – or a back three in possession and wingbacks – could be the way to go for him and I think that’s what he will do.”
Tanswell on whether Southampton can have success playing Martin’s style in Premier League
“It’s difficult.
You know, I saw examples of Scott Parker’s Bournemouth. I covered them and they played a very high possession brand of 4-3-3 that was built on patience and ball retention. They’ve had to adapt in the Premier League, obviously with different managers.
It’s difficult to do. For Southampton, I think they’ve really got to focus on the foundation.
Defensively they were poor last year, they conceded a lot of goals, underperformed their xG against which is something they’ll simply have to improve on because if they don’t they could be hit for a lot of goals.
They’ll get a new ‘keeper in, which you would think will help with that aspect, but they’ve got to build a system and a foundation that works effectively in the Premier League. I think they’ll be a little bit more pragmatic in terms of their shape.
I alluded to a back five, but they need to still have that threat on the counter and playing through the lines. So I expect them to still be highly dominant and patient but they’ll need that extra bit of pace in the final third to beat teams on transitions.
You’ve seen with Burnley this year that they’ve lacked that, but you’ve seen with Bournemouth, alternatively, that they’ve got a lot of pace on transitions. You’ve seen that their front four is very good.
So I think Southampton will have to be a little bit quicker, spend less time a little bit on the ball and be a little bit more pragmatic in the defensive set up, not pressing too high either.”