After what has felt like an eternity, Southampton’s 2018/19 season is but two days away, as they kick off their new campaign against Burnley this Sunday.
The Saints’ summer was filled with optimism – Mark Hughes signing a new deal offered the club some stability after two years of uncertainty.
The club have kept a hold of their best talent in Cedric Soares, Ryan Bertrand and Mario Lemina, despite a handful of links for the latter towards the end of the window. All that has departed has been players the club were happy to see go, whilst five players have joined the Saints including Danny Ings on loan just yesterday evening.
Earlier in the window the club spent just north of £50 million on Stuart Armstrong, Jannik Vestergaard, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Angus Gunn, with all of them filling voids in the Saints’ roster.
The arrival of Ings on deadline day has filled the fanbase with more optimism than before but with the Englishman having never been prolific, supporters are still unsure whether Southampton will be able to mount a push for a top-half finish.
However, their current team should be more than enough to secure survival this season, as the club look almost certain to deploy a 3-5-2 formation this campaign.
But, how does our team of writers think Southampton will do this year? Who will thrive and who may struggle? Marc Walker, Edward Waugh, Vincent Owens and Harry Tizard all offer their opinions alongside myself.