Even without elimination from Europe, it is undoubtedly the case that the other top clubs are already improving in form as we enter the final third of the season. Early on in the campaign, Southampton took advantage of the lack of stability in the top clubs to rise up the table. Liverpool were struggling to deal with the loss of Luis Suarez, Man Utd were in disarray after a poor previous season, with a new boss and a host of new players, while Spurs were still failing to replace Gareth Bale and had another new manager in the shape of ex-Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino. All three began the season without a clue about their best team and with their form all over the place, while Arsenal too failed to build up a run of good matches. As the season has gone on, though, all of these teams have become a more viable threat to Saints. On a form table, Arsenal are top of the league over either the last 6 or the last 10 games with Liverpool just behind. If we extend things back a little to the last 15 games then, going into this weekend, Man Utd were top of the table with Tottenham in 4th and Saints down in 7th (although United's loss to Swansea has dented their form a little). Everything points to Southampton's four main rivals all coming into their best form just at the point where Saints' own problems begin to pile up. Whether the club have what it takes to overcome these challenges and make it into Europe remains to be seen.
