They surprised everyone last season and have kept going despite losing the successful manager and five key players. Great Dane Football Blog takes a look at the uprising of Southampton FC.

Not many had seen it coming when Southampton mingled with the top clubs of the Premier League last season. Mauricio Pochettino had created the perfect squad, with the right numbers of talents and established Premier League players. The two talents Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw were a joy to see on the backs; Dejan Lovren controlled the central defends and Adam Lallana, and Rickie Lambert was the men behind the attacking play. Today, all of the five profiles has left The Saints; Chambers is in Arsenal, Shaw in Manchester United and Liverpool have bought the rest. On top of that, Pochettino took over in Tottenham Hotspurs.

So, this could be the end of a short era of success for Southampton, but this season they are back in the top of the league. As this post is being written, The Saints are second in the Premier League four points in front of last seasons winners from Manchester City. Looking at their form so far, Southampton is the best home side in the Premier League with five wins and one draw at St. Mary's Stadium, and an impressing goalscorer of 17-1. Lovren, Shaw and Chambers might have left the club, but the back four is still standing strong at St Mary's.

Toby Alderweireld has taken the position next to captain José Fonte in the central defends and Nathaniel Clyne, and Ryan Bertrand are now the main men on the two backs. Despite losing two talents and a strong central defender, Southampton has fully managed to fill the empty places and perhaps make their defend even stronger. 

Pochettino has to be given credit for his managing and ability to bring in players and get the best out fo them. But, Ronald Koeman, the new manager in the hot seat is not a bad name for a Premier League club of Southamptons size. The Dutch has a great network, and he can bring in respectable players as Alderweireld. From the Dutch league, he has brought in Dusan Tadic to replace Lallana, and the Serb has the potential to become a legend in the club. He is not the same type of player as Lallana, but he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League - even in a bigger side than Southampton. 

Graziano Pellé joined the club this summer, and the Italian has become the new goal getter for the club. However, with his 29-years he is not a man for the future. And the future might be a problem for The Saints as Pochettino seems to try and get all the background staff to Tottenham. However, once again Koemans name might help Southampton to keep the development going with some of the great coaches from around the world. Furthermore, a Champions League- or Europe League-spot will not only bring better players, but also better coaches to the club. The sky is the limit for The Saints, they just need their wings to fly. 

Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have played their last England match, and now it seems as Ashley Cole is joining the Ex-international. Can Luke Shaw get his first World Cup?

The veterans are ruled out one by one. First Rio Ferdinand was out; then Roy Hodgson announced that John Terry was a part of the past and with Ashley Coles lack of playing time in Chelsea, he looks to be the next to be sacked by England manager. 

The 33-year old defender have not started a Premier League match since 11 January and is being linked with a move away in the summer. César Azpilicueta is the favorite for José Mourinho, and he is not ready to give Cole a chance even though it can cost the defender his World Cup place:

Cole's 106 caps for England are being challenged by Everton's Leighton Baines who has been around the squad for a couple of years now. However, two other players are also pressuring Hodgson for a place in the World Cup squad; Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and Southampton's Luke Shaw. 

While Gibbs is battling with Nacho Monreal for a place in the Arsenal starting line up, Luke Shaw has played 23 matches for Southampton this season, and is considered as one of the greatest England talents for years. The 18-year old are a future prospect for the England side, and will sooner of later earn his spot on the team. 

Leighton Baines are in front of the two younger defenders when it comes to starting for England against Denmark on the 5th of March as well as for the World Cup. However, either Shaw or Gibbs will probably replace the 33-year old Cole in the squad, with the first most likely to be called up. The new England is beginning to take shape.