Southampton: My Saints Team of the Decade – Marc Walker

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Rickie Lambert (L) of Southampton celebrates with team mate Adam Lallana (R) after scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on May 11, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Rickie Lambert (L) of Southampton celebrates with team mate Adam Lallana (R) after scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium on May 11, 2014 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on August 19, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Forwards

Sadio Mane, Right-Wing

Key stat: 75 appearances, 25 goals and 14 assists

Surely one of Saints’ best ever signings after arriving as a relative unknown, but his potential was clear and he is now one of the best attackers in Europe.

Dusan Tadic is a close second here after also proving to be a great buy in his first seasons with the club.

Rickie Lambert, Striker

Key stat: 230 appearances, 115 goals and 64 assists

Goals, goals and more goals to fire Saints back to the big time and beyond, with a few England caps thrown in along the way.

Graziano Pelle became an important player too once Lambert was gone, but the Liverpudlian’s imprint on the club will last forever.

Adam Lallana, Left-Wing

Key stat: 261 appearances, 59 goals and 48 assists

Lallana is one of the best success stories from the Saints academy after working his way up to being the club’s captain before he left.

Jay Rodriguez is waiting in the wings for this position after becoming one of the most in form players in England back in the 2013/14 season.