5 Southampton Players Who Newcastle Must Be Wary Of

This time last year doom and gloom stained the walls of the St Mary's Stadium as Southampton's squad was carefully dissected by bigger teams with more trophies, more money and more Brendan Rodgers than them. Everyone wrote them off and for good reason; they had lost the core of their side that included manager Mauricio Pochettino moving to Tottenham Hotspur, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert leaving for Liverpool, and Luke Shaw popping off to Manchester United. Behind the scenes, Southampton were carefully rebuilding and the appointment of Ronald Koeman, acquisitions of Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic, and a fearless refusal to accept they were beaten ended with the Saints finishing seventh in the Barclays Premier League. This season, there is no underdog status or sympathetic transition for Koeman - and Newcastle United will be fully aware of Dutch manager's slick and adventurous playing style. Yes, they have lost Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United and Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool, but once more they have confidently used their transfer model to great effect and brought in like-for-like replacements for each. The Saints have made six signings this summer and will be aiming to start this year's campaign with the same ruthless organisation and attacking flair. The Magpies were beaten in both of the fixtures last season - including an embarrassing 4-0 mauling away from home. Here at WhatCulture.com/NUFC we have take a look at the top Southampton players that Newcastle should be way of this Sunday.