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Now that Southampton are threatening to sustain their fine start under Ronald Koeman, optimistic fans are beginning to dream of a top-four finish.

Champions League football at St Mary’s next season? Wow... there’s a thought.

Do I believe they will finish in the top four? On balance, probably not – but if they do stay there, I can already tell you where it would rank among English football’s modern achievements.

It would be one of the greatest feats of any club in the Premier League era.

Later this month, when Saints face three consecutive tests against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, we will probably find out whether their top-four challenge is for real.

But as one of many pundits who thought, before a ball was kicked, that Southampton would struggle this season, I’m happy to admit I was wrong.

Koeman has not just presided over a surprise package. He is working a miracle.

(Image: Getty)

How refreshing to see a club like Saints, with a recent history of producing top-quality young players in their academy, breaking up the big clubs’ cartel.

From Alan Shearer to Matt Le Tissier, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, Southampton’s conveyor belt of home-grown talent remains in fine working order.

But Koeman’s remarkable start has been built on two other important factors: the best defensive record in the country and a fantastic recruitment department.

Only five goals conceded in 10 Premier League games speaks for itself.

England coach Roy Hodgson watched Southampton’s 1-0 win at Hull last week, and I would be surprised if he was not impressed by full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand’s mobility.

As for Koeman’s new signings, following the summer exodus from St Mary’s, there has not been a duff call among them.

(Image: Getty)

Dusan Tadic has been outstanding, Graziano Pelle’s strike rate has carried on from where he left off in Dutch football, Sadio Mane looks a handful and Toby Alderweireld has slotted in at the back easily. In addition, seven players have started every game this season, a consistency of selection that should not be overlooked.

Saints fans who see Lallana, Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert struggling to make an impact at their new clubs can hardly believe how little they have been missed.

And if Saints stay in the top four, Morgan Schneiderlin – who could have been the next ship leaving port in August – should count his blessings that circumstance forced him to stay put.

It will always be difficult to resist top clubs who can offer top dollar to Southampton’s best players.

But Saints’ next two games, against Leicester and Aston Villa, are both winnable – and if they yield six points, Koeman’s side are going to be in the top two going into December.

We have already gone past the point where ‘big’ clubs who kicked off the season with their eyes on a top-four finish have to take Southampton seriously.

They play good football, they are in the top two on merit... and they are not going away any time soon.

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