Southampton! Can the Saints March into the Champions League?

There's no doubt that Southampton FC are the surprise team of the Premier League so far this season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men briefly scaled the heights of the top 4 after Saturday night's 2-0 win over Fulham at home before Chelsea and Tottenham as expected took over.

The South Coast side are still well in the top 5 - and 4 points clear of the champions, Manchester United, and deservedly so.

The table definitely explains why Southampton are in the top 10 - their defence has only leaked 3 goals, by far the best defensive record in the Premier League.

Dejan and Jose - an unlikely but successful pairing

Serbian Dejan Lovren has been a revelation since signing in the summer from Lyon and his partnership with Portuguese defender, Jose Fonte is definitely the meanest central defence in the EPL right now.

Big Artur!

And of course, Artur Boruc - the big Pole finally with his chance to show his stuff in the Premier League week in week out after establishing himself as a Celtic legend along with midfielder, Victor Wanyama.

And not only can Southampton defend, they can score goals when needed - sure they're not quite Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City at the moment, but they do have some threat up front with record signing, Pablo Osvaldo from Roma along with regulars from last season, England star, Rickie Lambert and the emerging Jay Rodriguez.

Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse

Indeed, Jay Rodriguez along with Adam Lallana, Jack Cork, James Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw are the young guns who are really flourishing under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance and leading the revelation on the south coast.

The former Argentine defender is fondly remembered by English football fans for tripping Michael Owen in the box at the 2002 World Cup that resulted in the penalty kick that David Beckham put away with aplomb.

However, Pochettino might very well be remembered for other reasons - particularly his effective, pressing type of football which he first applied as manager at Espanyol with some success for 3 seasons.

He may not speak English, but he's doing alright in the English Premier League!

It is this brand of football by the Saints that has caused the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United problems this season and earned them a 1-0 win and 1-1 draw away from home respectively.

More of this football and top 4 is a possible dream - realistically, Southampton will be aiming for a top ten spot and with some luck, possibly a Europa League spot.

It was West Brom and Swansea last season. It looks like Southampton have taken over for this season.

Funny all of them were clad in Adidas.....

Rickie Lambert and the Saints keep marching on!