Premier League predictions – Southampton fan’s voicepublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 14 August
Fan writer Ray Hunt
Where will you finish in the league and why?
16th – play-off winners are easy to pigeonhole as favourites for relegation but coming off that high from Wembley, you sense that Russell Martin is making his imprint with the business already completed. Substantial bids have also been made, proving that pursuits are not quite finished yet, which shows the ambition of the club moving forward. We were favourites for the drop in 2012-13 as a newly promoted side too and finished 14th.
Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?
The permanent signings of Flynn Downes and Taylor Harwood-Bellis were imperative given their importance last season. Sealing the deals early eased some fears. Is the best yet to come?
With Gavin Bazunu sidelined until 2025 and Alex McCarthy coming under fire in pre-season, an experienced goalkeeper who is calm and comfortable with the ball at his feet is essential with Martin’s possession-heavy philosophy. Is Aaron Ramsdale a pipe dream?
What do you want from your manager this season?
Martin had his critics when things did not go so well last season for his slow and methodical playing out from the back which often left us in troublesome situations. He has addressed many of these issues with a solid array of defensive reinforcements in the market suited to his style. I would like to see Martin be more fluid with his formations, particularly with defensive selections.
Who will be the breakout star in your squad?
If you were to judge this squad from pre-season then Sam Amo-Ameyaw or Tyler Dibling. However, both may struggle for Premier League minutes. I am going with 21-year-old Ronnie Edwards, who arrived from Peterborough as a ball-playing defender. A style made for Martin’s brand. I expect him to break through early.
What is your major concern?
In our last season in the Premier League, we were bad at both ends of the pitch. The concession of 73 goals was a team low in our Premier League history and only 36 goals were scored. Any hopes of survival hinge on these glaring concerns.
