Minor Tweaks or Major Changes: How Should Southampton Approach Next Season?

While Southampton shouldn't take their eye off of this season, the Saints still aren't safe from relegation back to the Championship next season, so some thought must be given to how to handle the upcoming summer months and planning for 2013-14.

In reading the actions of Southampton Chairman Nicola Cortese, it's seems like the Italian will want to make some more big splashes in order to gain his ultimate goal of Southampton being a force in the Premier League. Cortese and Southampton were one of only six clubs to vote against the new Premier League spending controls, according to The Independent.

"We believe very strongly that each club should continue to be permitted to run their business - including their pay rolls - as they see fit. This is fundamental to the future integrity of football," Cortese said in the article.

While The Independent article states that Southampton has made a 900,000-pound profit in the first six months of its Premier League return, the Saints should really take a more reserved approach in building the club.

One only needs to look at Southampton's hated rivals Portsmouth to see the folly of chasing glory too quickly. After three fairly nondescript campaigns, including two relegation escapes following its Premier League return in 2003, Pompey went on a spending spree under new owner Alexandre Gaydamak. 

The spending spree did pay dividends, as Portsmouth won the FA Cup in 2008 and again reached the FA Cup Final in 2010. But Pompey were relegated that season and have been on a downward spiral ever since. The Fratton Park residents are close to finally exiting administration, but will likely do so in League Two, as Portsmouth currently sit in 23rd place in League One, eight points from safety.

The reserved approach worked for Manchester City. The Citizens gained promotion into the Premier League in 2002, but only qualified for Europe via the Fair Play standings until 2010.

Manchester City finally earned their way into Europe by finishing fifth in the Premier League in 2010, winning the FA Cup and finishing third in the Premier League in 2011 and by winning the Premier League in 2012. It took "The Noisy Neighbors" eight seasons of Premier League play to build to perennial European qualifiers. 

Of course, Southampton is still in its first season of their Premier League return. The squad is still a fairly young squad. The average age of the starting XI is 24.8 years old. Only two starters, Rickie Lambert and goalkeeper Artur Boruc, are above the age of 30.

The Saints are clearly a club made up of up-and-coming players. Morgan Schneiderlin is only 23, as is his defensive midfield partner Jack Cork. Center back Maya Yoshida is 24. Right-back Nathaniel Clyne is only 21, while his opposite flank counterpart Luke Shaw is still 17. Offensive midfielders Gaston Ramirez and Adam Lallana are 22 and 24, respectively. 

These players will continue to grow with experience. Yes, a couple of reinforcements in the back may be nice, as would another attacking option. If the club does not re-sign Boruc, then another goalkeeper may be needed. But there is no need to go on another crazy spending spree to bring in eight new faces like Southampton has this year. 

If Southampton fail to survive this season, the reserved approach will be even more necessary. Yes, there will be a couple of years of parachute payments, but Saints fans should know that an immediate bounce-back is no sure thing.

A fire sale may not be needed, especially since many players are still playing on contracts signed in League One or the Championship. But the sale of a couple of older players may be a wise move.

Either way, Cortese needs to realize that Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are Premier League contenders. A slow, gradual climb to the summit is the best and easiest route to the top.