Southampton: Exciting behind-the-scenes claim emerges as St Mary's

Southampton are feeling quietly optimistic ahead of the new season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Saints finished 15th for the second year in succession last term, but Ralph Hasenhuttl has received plenty of backing from Sport Republic, with the Austrian already welcoming six new players on board.

Despite another underwhelming season under Hasenhuttl’s guidance, he clearly has the backing of the owners, who’ve allowed him to spend more than £50m on transfers since the window opened.

The first two men through the door were both goalkeepers, with Gavin Bazunu signing permanently from Manchester City following a successful loan spell at Portsmouth, while Mateusz Lis arrived from Turkish football.

Young defender Armel Bella-Kotchap was the first outfield player to come in, before another inexperienced star, Romeo Lavia, also signed from City.

Perhaps the most exciting addition of the window was the next to sign on the dotted line, with Joe Aribo returning to English football following his productive spell north of the border with Rangers, while Frenchman Sekou Mara is latest new arrival.

Southampton will be hoping the feel-good-factor will continue into their trip to Tottenham on Saturday, a ground where they proved victorious on their last trip back in February.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Southampton have been changing a bit over the summer, they’ve bought in some interesting faces, they’ve changed formation and there is quite an optimistic feel around the club generally from what I hear, but there’s no doubt they could do with an extra face.”

With no high-profile departures and some impressive business completed, Southampton have every reason to be hopeful of having a successful season.

But after the last two years,