Steve Bruce has applauded the way that Ralph Hasenhuttl's have clawed their way back from the abyss in the last 12 months.
Southampton have barely looked back since the 9-0 hammering that resulted in fans demanding Hasenhuttl's exit, and sit fifth in the Premier League table ahead of Newcastle United's visit tonight.
It's just over a year ago since the heat was cranked up incredibly on the Austrian boss when the Saints were steamrollered at home in a crushing defeat on the South Coast against Leicester City in the Premier League.
But Southampton stuck with Hasenhuttl and were rewarded with an 11th-place finish and a solid start to the current campaign with the Saints currently sitting in the top five.
Bruce said: “Since the turn of the year, they’ve been in and around it.
"They’ve had a remarkable 12 months – I think it was only 12 months ago since they lost heavily to Leicester.
"The way they’ve all performed since then and turned it around, fair play to them.
"They’ve got a very, very good side, so it’s going to be a tough place to go, that’s for sure."
But Southampton will have to do without Danny Ings - the striker who scored 25 goals last term and has six to his name this time around.
Bruce said: "One of the main reasons they’ve had the 12 months they’ve had is the performance of Danny, and I think I speak on behalf of all football fans when I say I’m so pleased it’s not one of those that will keep him out for another 12 months.
"Thankfully it looks as though it’s a minor operation which might keep him out for four to six weeks – this is according to reports, of course.
“I do wish him a speedy recovery.
"He deserves a bit of luck because the way he’s come back from two cruciate injuries is quite a remarkable achievement, so I wish him the best of luck and I’m so pleased that it’s not that serious."
