There were few grumbles when many pundits tipped Southampton for relegation this season. They had a strong case.
Talismanic striker Danny Ings had been sold, the club was up for sale and the academy production line seemed to be stalling.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side looked low on experience. Following Aston Villa-bound Ings out of the exit door were seasoned professionals Jannik Vestergaard and Ryan Bertrand, who both joined Leicester.
Southampton were predicted to battle relegation but have excelled and are in 10th place
Ralph Hasenhuttl's inform side has lost just one of their last 11 games in all competitions
But after easing past Everton on Saturday, Saints consolidated their place in the top half. They’ve lost just once in their last 11 games in all competitions and, in that run, have beaten Tottenham, drawn with both Manchester clubs and are still in the FA Cup.
So, what are the secrets of Saints’ success? It starts and ends with chief executive Martin Semmens’ utmost backing of boss Hasenhuttl.
‘It’s not about where we finish in the league,’ Semmens said last week in a BBC podcast. ‘It’s about the stability and consistency in planning.
‘Do we plan to keep our players or sell them? People assume we are a selling club. It’s nothing to do with money, it’s to do with the pathway. If we don’t let Tino Livramento go to Liverpool one day if they want him, the next players don’t come in.
In that run they have beaten Tottenham, drawn with both Manchester clubs and are in the cup
‘We give people the view that they could one day be the next Sadio Mane (formerly of Southampton) at Liverpool and that’s why they want to join.’
It was a fascinating interview which revealed the club’s vision. Nobody at St Mary’s is still mourning the three key players lost last summer. Others have stepped up.
Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters are one of the league’s most exciting full-back duos, while Armando Broja, the 20-year-old Chelsea loanee, has bullied defenders.
Mohamed Salisu, plucked for £10million from Real Valladolid, is
