There was much furore when Mauricio Pochettino was appointed by Nicola Cortese. The Italian decided to dispense with the services of Nigel Adkins even though he had got the club promoted from League One to the Premier League, at the time it seemed that the sacking was very harsh. This is highlighted by a vote on Bleacher Report back in January 2013.
Although as the situation has unfolded Cortese seems to have been spot on.
Last season after the former Espanyol boss took over at St Mary’s we saw the Saints stay up quite comfortably.
It’s their form at the beginning of this season that has caught they eye of many fans and pundits. There have also been a number of impressive displays which include winning at Anfield and getting a draw at Old Trafford. Just two results that have made many sit up and take notice of the work being done by Pochettino and his players.
Saints’ England Internationals
The past international break just proved how much Saints and there influential players are being noticed, with Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert all being called up to the England squad for the friendly defeats to Chile and Germany. It just shows how far the club has come in a short space of time, and how the three players mentiond have improved under the Argentinian manager.
Their high-pressing style of play is another reason for their success; Pochettino likes his full-backs to push up with Schneiderlin and new-boy Wanyama sitting protecting the central defenders, giving the front four the freedom to express themselves.
A Rock at the back : New signing Dejan Lovren
Not only has it been their big-money signings like Wanyama and Dejan Lovren that have been a roaring success it’s been the home-grown boys like left-back Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse to add the youthful feeling to this ever improving squad of players.
Even after the weekend defeat away to Arsenal, they are still well placed to try and push for a Europa League spot at the end of the season. It will be tough with the likes of Everton, Liverpool and others challenging for the European spots.
With the players they have in their squad, and the money they will have to potentially strengthen the squad in the January window, only a massive drop in form or a few injuries could stop Pochettino and his men looking out their passports next season for a European journey.
