Last Season: 2nd (Championship)
In: Nathaniel Clyne (£2.8m, Crystal Palace), Steven Davies (£880,000, Rangers), Jay Rodriguez (£7.6m, Burnley)
Out: Nine players have left Southampton this summer. See full list here.
If they were an Olympian: Christian Taylor. The world and Olympic triple jump champion has enjoyed a fantastic rise to the top, whilst his fiercest rival Phillips Idowu has endured a miserable summer.
Like Norwich City last year, Southampton arrive in the Premier League on the back of successive promotions under manager Nigel Adkins and again like Norwich, Adkins looks set to rely upon those who have got Southampton to this stage rather than bringing in more established Premier League players.
The club's two biggest expenditures this summer have been Crystal Palace right back Nathaniel Clyne and Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez both of whom excelled in the Championship. The club have also exploited the fire-sale that is occurring at Rangers by signing Steven Davies for just under £1m. The Northern Irishman has plenty of top flight experience both North and South of the border and is a useful addition to the squad.
Much of Southampton's success in the past two seasons has been based on the goal scoring exploits of Rickie Lambert, who has scored 88 goals in 155 games, 31 of them coming last season. If Southampton are to be successful again then they will need Lambert to continue to fire. As both Swansea and Norwich showed last season when your main forward scores 15+ goals it is a massive boost to your survival chances.
Another man who is key to the Saints' is midfielder Adam Lallana, the 24 year old left sided midfielder has been central to Southampton's succesive promotion campaigns and weighed in with 13 goals in all competitions last year. Usually deployed on the left, Lallana has a freedom to move inside and is quick to get himself into the box when the opportunity presents itself. Whilst lacking the explosive pace of fellow academy graduates Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale, Lallana does possess excellent delivery with his left foot and uses his quick feet to create space to cross the ball, he is also excellent in the air.
Nigel Adkins' squad is packed with good footballers and hard workers but much relies on defensive midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who often acts as the anchor in a midfield that contains attack minded players Richard Chaplow and Jack Cork.
Southampton have a fairly daunting opening set of fixtures which sees them travel to Manchester City on the opening weekend before facing Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton within their first 6 games. Although they do also have two eminently winnable home games against Wigan and Aston Villa. As with all promoted sides, Southampton's home form will be key to their survival chances and if they are to avoid heading straight back down to the Championship they will need to make home advantage at St.Mary's count.
Adkins' has done a magnificent job on the South coast and it was not that long ago that Southampton seemed to be destined for extinction. For them to be back in the Premier League is an achievement in itself. Unfortunately I feel that this season may be where the adventure ends and they will ultimately fall just short in their attempts to remain in the top flight. By the end of September they may well find themselves rock bottom of the league and a poor start can quickly lead to a club being cut adrift. It will be tight but I expect Southampton to be relegated, though it may well go down to the last kick of the season.
Predicted Finish: 19th
Key Man: Rickie Lambert. As stated above Lambert has been vital to the Saints since he arrived from Bristol City and their survival hopes hinge on the 30 year old. Excellent in the air and very much an out and out number 9, Lambert will relish testing himself against the likes of John Terry and Vincent Kompany. Will probably reach double figures in the league but even this might not be enough.
Underrated: Kelvin Davies. A vastly experienced goalkeeper who continues to impress, the 35 year old has experience of the Premier League with Sunderland, although it was far from a happy time for Davies, who was roundly criticised for his part in the club's relegation. However he has rebuilt his confidence and his career at Southampton and has been named in the PFA team of the year for 3 seasons in a row.
Watch out for: Adam Lallana. Already discussed above, Lallana will be expected to provide the bullets for Lambert and attacking midfielder Guly Do Prado.
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