The Saints go into today’s game in 16th place in the Premier League although it should always be noted that should they win today by two clear goals they will move above us in the table and we start the day in 7th place.
That 7th place is the position that Southampton finished in last season as they qualified for Europe and threatened to finish higher for large parts of the season.
The European adventure though was over before the Europa League reached the group stages and it has been suggested in several quarters that they are struggling after another summer of a few notable departures from the club.
But that is not something that Garry Monk believes is the case as he explained ahead of the game รขโฌลI donรขโฌโขt think theyรขโฌโขre struggling รขโฌโ I disagree with that.
รขโฌลBecause they started so well last season and flew so high I think, similar to ourselves, expectations are much higher now. Youรขโฌโขre expected to win every single game.
รขโฌลThey should be, I understand that because itรขโฌโขs the reality weรขโฌโขve come up to.
รขโฌลBut the reality in this league is that itรขโฌโขs one of the toughest years youรขโฌโขll ever have seen.
รขโฌลEveryoneรขโฌโขs fighting and the pressure on every single game is that much higher, you can feel that.
รขโฌลItรขโฌโขs my job to lessen that and make sure my players enjoy their football. Theyรขโฌโขre a good group and theyรขโฌโขre doing that.
รขโฌลIn terms of Southampton, Europe does play a part in terms of their start to the season, but theyรขโฌโขre a good team and a good squad.
รขโฌลIt will be a pretty even game I think in terms of the quality in both squads. I think it will be a pretty even encounter.รขโฌย
<#saintsfc>