Claude Puel might well be the most understated manager in the Premier League but he has overseen a hugely encouraging start in the opening months of his Southampton tenure.
Yet another summer transfer window saw Saints plundered for their key men - Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama were significant losses - while Ronald Koeman departed for Everton after leading the club to their highest ever Premier League finish of sixth.
But out of the ashes of last season's team has risen another side which have shown signs of being capable of eclipsing Koeman's success. They have made their first semi-final since 1987, are a goalless draw away from advancing into the knock-out stages of the Europa League and are only three points off the top six in the Premier League.