GRAEME Le Saux insists Saints can finish in the Premier League’s top six – AND win the club’s first major trophy for 39 years.

The former Saints star expects the club to win tonight’s Capital One Cup quarter-final at Sheffield United and surpass last season’s eighth place in the top flight.

He said: “There’s no reason why Southampton can’t finish in the top six and win a trophy this season.

“This tie is coming at a good time for them after their recent results.

“They might have lost against some of the top teams in the country, but they were unfortunate against Arsenal and should have beaten Manchester United.

“I was at the United game and they would have won it but for two mistakes and a lack of clinical finishing.

“The atmosphere at the club is very good, they just have to keep believing.

“It’s a club based on very good principles and is getting the credit it deserves after being written off by many pundits – not me I hasten to add! – during the summer.

“The top four is probably beyond them, they’re a bit short of squad depth and experience – but a top-six place is realistic.

“The quality of the football they’re playing is excellent and it’s been pleasing to see them develop and fulfil their potential.

“They’ll have gained a huge amount of experience by the end of this season.”

The League Cup has been much-maligned in recent years, but Ronald Koeman’s decision to field a strong side in this season’s competition has been a breath of fresh air compared to his predecessor’s attitude towards the domestic cups.

Le Saux insists it is a competition treated as importantly as any by those that play in it.

A Wembley final is special whatever the competition, as those Saints fans who attended the 2010 JPT win against Carlisle will testify.

“I was fortunate to play in the 1998 League Cup final and be part of a winning team [for Chelsea against Middlesbrough] and it’s as important as winning any other trophy,” says Le Saux, pictured below.

“Getting to a Wembley final for the first time and playing in front of 80,000 fans was a fantastic experience, one that will live with me forever.

“The fact people look at the earlier rounds and see some teams rotating their squad and using it as an opportunity to rest key players shouldn’t necessarily be mistaken for teams not taking it seriously.

“It’s important for players to win trophies and this is another opportunity to do that.

“I’ve been fortunate to play with and against great players and anyone is disappointed to be rested from any game.

“Players want to be playing all the time. They don’t want to give their place up to anyone.”

  • Graeme Le Saux was speaking on behalf of Capital One, credit card company and league cup sponsor.