Last year’s Capital One Cup was one full of shocks and twists and turns as two sides that very few would have predicted to reach the last game, in Swansea and Bradford, contested the showpiece final at Wembley. In almost any other year the Swans would have been the ultimate fairy-tale story, however their meeting with League Two representatives saw their story take more of a back seat.

But, that should not lessen their sense of achievement, with the South Wales side capping a remarkable decade with a piece of major silverware. Not long ago Swansea were staring at life outside of the Football League, which may have seen their very future cast into serious doubt. Yet, sterling work off of the field and an adoption of a more continental approach on it saw the now Liberty Stadium-based side rise through the divisions to dine at the top table of English football.

In some ways their story is comparable to that of Southampton, who are quietly asserting themselves as genuine candidates to take the trophy to the South Coast this time around. The Saints may a little more of an illustrious history, but they themselves were looking directly into the abyss just a few short years ago. Financial peril saw administration strike and rapidly the white and red shirted side slid down to League One.

Just when they were at their lowest ebb, salvation came in the shape of Markus Liebherr. The Swiss billionaire – who passed away in 2010 – set about rescuing the club from spiralling debts ahead of a plan to move up through the divisions and back to the big time. They may have been forced to stay in League One for a season longer than was hoped for due to a point deduction, but successive promotions saw Premier League football make a return to Hampshire after a seven year absence.

Like Swansea – who made it into the top flight a year before them – the Saints have firmly established themselves as a genuine force and now see their next step as securing silverware and a path into European competition. This season presents a genuine chance to achieving this, with a trip to out-of-form Sunderland all that stands between them and a spot in the final eight. Add into the mix the fact the big names such as Liverpool have already been knocked out and that one of Arsenal and Chelsea will suffer the same fate this time around and Southampton are all of a sudden firmly in the running.

Mauricio Pochettino – who succeeded Nigel Adkins earlier this year – has got his side playing a distinctive brand of football, which is not dissimilar to that of Swansea. St Mary’s Stadium has played witness to an alteration under the Argentine, who has moulded his team into a high tempo and bustling outfit with an abundance of quality in the final third. Big name arrivals such as Victor Wanyama and Pablo Osvaldo have seen a number of top clubs really sit up and take notice of Southampton, who are considerably closer to the top of the Premier League table than the bottom with around a quarter of the games having passed.

As well as fine form, a meteoric rise and a clear philosophy, Southampton have their very own talismanic attacker in the shape of Rickie Lambert. Swansea last season were buoyed by the incredible form of Michu, who spearheaded their run to Wembley and eventual 5-0 demolition of Bradford. Although Lambert is a different proposition to the silky Spaniard, he is still, arguably, just as effective. The new England star – who has carried his goalscoring form onto the international stage – has been the Saints’ talisman since his move to the club while in League One. Almost 100 goals in under 200 outings justify the £800,000 paid for his signature from Bristol Rovers – a large fee in the third tier – and he certainly has the ability and know-how to add a few more to his tally in the Capital One Cup.

The Capital One Cup is known for its unpredictable nature, which may see Southampton overcome the odds this season to cap their astonishing rise to back to the top of the English game. Only time will tell, but all the ingredients are in place for Adam Lallana to make the journey up Wembley’s iconic steps to lift the first trophy of the season this winter.

[divider]

Sponsored by Capital One. The Credit Card that Supports the Supporters.

For Capital One Credit Cards visit: www.capitalone.co.uk