Marching On: 7 Keys to Southampton's Success This Season

Marching On: 7 Keys to Southampton’s Success This Season

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view of St Mary's Stadium as the teams walk out prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary's Stadium on May 15, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City is tackled by Oriol Romeu of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary’s Stadium on May 1, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

6. Step Up in Midfield
With Ronald Koeman out, gone are the days of 3 up top and crosses into the box for scoring opportunity. New gaffer Claude Puel’s version of Southampton relies on a fluid midfield in a 4-4-2 diamond, meaning the midfield is going to be more important than ever. Of particular note, Spaniard Oriol Romeu will be called upon to fill the Victor Wanyama-sized void at holding mid; one hopes he’ll be able to do so without the card issues that plagued his predecessor.

On the attacking front, the change means some of Southampton’s strikers/wingers will invariably find themselves repurposed as wing-mids and attacking mids at the tip of the diamond. How quickly and effectively they adapt to these new roles will be a point to watch early on.

Next: Final Thoughts