Meet the opposition | Southampton
As Swansea City prepare to host Southampton in the FA Cup, we take a closer look at the Saints.
What's their story?
Formed in 1885, Southampton have spent the majority of their history in the top division of English Football, with their best league finish coming in the 1983/84 season as they finished second, just three points behind champions Liverpool.
Following relegation from the Premier League in the 2004-05 season, the Saints spent seven seasons outside of the top flight, including two years in League One, before gaining promotion back to the Premier League in 2011-12.
Southampton are currently playing their 10th season since their return, having secured Europa League football on two occasions, finishing as high as sixth in the Premier League in that time.
How’s their form?
Saints have won just four Premier League games this season, but they have proven difficult opponents to beat, losing just six league fixtures.
Along with Brighton they have proved the division’s draw specialists, sharing the spoils on nine occasions so far this term.
Southampton currently sit 14th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Who’s the boss?
Ralph Hasenhuttl. The Austrian is currently in his third full season in charge of Southampton, having taken over from Mark Hughes in December 2018.
The 54-year-old guided the Saints to the semi-final of the FA Cup last season, dispatching Shrewsbury, Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth before suffering defeat to eventual winners Leicester City at Wembley in the last four.
He is the only non-Britain to take charge of over 100 games for Southampton; they have finished 16th, 11th and 15th under his stewardship.
Who’s the captain?
James Ward-Prowse. The 27-year-old has been a part of the set up at Southampton since 2003, making his first team debut for the club in 2011.
The midfielder has made over 340 appearances for the Saints in all competitions, scoring 36 goals for the club including 11 goals from free kicks and he is renowned as a dead-ball specialist.
He has also made nine appearances for England, scoring two goals in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Who are the key men?
Defender Tino Livramento joined Southampton this summer from Chelsea and has hit the ground running with the Saints. Livramento scored his first professional goal in October, powering a header home in the Saints 2-2 draw with Burnley.
Winger Nathan Redmond is currently playing his sixth season with the Saints, having made 216 appearances for the club. The 27-year-old began his career with Birmingham City before joining Norwich City, where he would play alongside Swans boss Russell Martin.
Redmond is currently joint seventh for assists in the Premier League this season, setting up five goals this term.
Striker Adam Armstrong joined Southampton this summer for £15 million from Blackburn Rovers. Armstrong caught the attention of the Saints following two excellent seasons in the Championship with Blackburn, scoring 16 and 28 goals respectively, finishing second top scorer in the league last season.
