Reviewing 2025/26

Ok, where do I start? A poor start to the season, followed by an incredible run of form culminated in the Saints finishing 4th. Then all hell broke loose. They play Middlesbrough in the semi finals and send a lad up to spy on their training session. He gets caught. Boro understandably are fuming and lodge formal complaints. The first leg finishes 0-0 but Southampton win the return leg and think they're going to Wembley. But the EFL have other ideas and decide their punishment should be severe, thus kicking them out of the play offs and re-instating Middlesbrough. A harsh reminder that cheats don't prosper.

It's a shame on many levels that this happened but especially when you take into account their incredible FA Cup run that almost saw them upset Man City in the semi finals. A run that has now been overshadowed and forgotten about as a result.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

It's time to forget the horrors of Spy-Gate now and move forward. The club needs it and the manager defintiely does. The club itself is in a great position financially after last season's FA Cup semi final appearance and if they can kick the season off positively, they'll be a match for anyone.

Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz both made their loan deals permanent this summer and Lewis Dobbin joins for £10.5m from Aston Villa. Dobbin is a very exciting left inside forward who loves to run with the ball and has a decent cross on him too. Cracking signing. However, with 9 players leaving, there's a sparce looking dressing room at the moment. Some extra depth to supplement an already strong squad will go a long way in what will be a tough division this campaign.

Court Offside Tip

There's no doubts that Saints are amongst the best teams in the league but after last season's spygate drama, it remains to be seen how they'll begin the new campaign. A poor start and it could all unravel very quickly, but, I don't foresee that coming to fruition. A solid first couple of months should lay good foundations for a play off / promotion push.