The Show goes on.

While we're still in the middle of the Ashes (well 80% through but you get my point) tomorrow the Premier League returns and with it the Saints second season after promotion starts.

So what do I think will happen this season? Well here's my views on the team.

Goalkeeper - Boruc picks himself as first choice and has shown himself to be a reliable shot stopper and he is an imposing presence. Communication is vital going forward but he needs to stay fit as Davis is not consistent enough & Gazzaniga still has lots of developing to do to be a Premier league keeper.

Defence - The full backs, Luke Shaw and  Nathaniel Clyne, pick themselves so it's in the centre of the defence that decisions need to be made. Dejan Lovren has been bought in from Lyon at some cost and therefore should have one spot. Who plays along side him is less certain. Fonte always looked a Premier league player in the lower leagues but has had a drop on form (or he is not that good). Hooiveld will be important when we play tall teams (Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch etc) but he scores too many own goals for a regular spot! Which leaves Maya Yoshida and he would be my choice to partner Lovren as he has international experience with Japan and got better the longer last season progressed.

Midfield - The biggest debate surrounds the midfield. Last season, in Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin, Saints had a great defensive midfield duo and much of lasts season's success followed their pairing up. In the summer however Victor Wanyama was signed from Celtic and given what we paid for him (£12.5m?) he will start. Having seen him in last weeks friendly he looks a great addition (a bigger stronger Michael Essien!!) and he looks likely to replace Cork alongside Schneiderlin. That's tough on Cork but the squad will all get a chance and he'll need to take his when it's offered. Schneiderlin will get more chance to break forward and this could be a very special season for him. Lallana has had a good pre season and looks fit, which he didn't appear to be after his knee injury last season, so he could start. The final place will be rotated, I suspect, around, Ramirez, Guly, Davis and Puncheon. depending on the specific needs of the game.

Attack - England's Rickie Lambert (how good is it to read that??) and Jay Rodriguez will make a natural partnership, with again, Mayuka and  now Isgrove bringing impact from the bench. We probably do need another striker but as the number 11 is vacant I expect that to be resolved before the transfer window closes.

The players are there to finish in the top half of the table if not higher but a good start is important as we don't have the tough start of last season and we need to have won points before those harder games do come along. Certainly the high pressing game we now play will allow more possession but some teams will work us out (like QPR, of all teams, did last season). It's the changes that Pochettino makes against those teams that could spell the difference between a great season or a "meh" one