When you think of Southampton, you may think of a solid youth system that brings in the money, and not much else. However, recent times have seen that change, and especially since the appointment of Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino, there has been a very different feeling around St. Mary's.

So, what's changed? What's happened to the Saints we knew, and couldn't help but love before? Well, they've improved and developed leaps and bounds since their torrid day, on May 15th, 2005 - the day that saw the Saints relegated after 27 years at the top of the English game. In possibly the closest relegation fight ever in the Premier League, no team was mathematically relegated before the final day began, and although they could have stayed up, a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United saw Harry Redknapp's side go down in 20th spot.

After Nigel Adkins was out the door, and Argentine Pochettino stepped in, So'ton finished in a respectable 14th in their first season back in top division football. Although fans were delighted, those in the rafters of the hierachy at the club wanted more, which provoked a new lease of life in the Saint's spending scheme.

In previous years, we've seen the likes of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale all emerge from the infamous Southampton youth programme, and it's become widely known on one of the best young player systems in the UK. Although going about your business in this way is a great way of saving money, it can't work for too long - as we've seen with Arsenal recently. But what Southampton have managed to do, is get out of the habit before it's too late.

That's right. They've started spending money... big, big money. With Rickie Lambert in the form of his life at the moment, the Saints have blown a whopping £12.8m on Argentine striker Pablo Osvaldo, £12.5m of Kenya's robust playmaker Victor Wanyama, and highly rated Croat defender Dejan Lovren, for £8.5m. The big spending makes the ambitions at St Mary's incredibly clear - they're going all out.

What can we expect from this though, has their youth system fallen to pieces?

Well, not in the slightest. Southampton's youth policy is still producing extrememly talented youngsters, most recognisably 18-year-old Luke Shaw, an exciting young prospect who plays at left back. Southampton were extremely quick to get Shaw's signature in their books after a cracking first season at just 17 years of age, and on his 18th birthday, Saints confronted him with the offer of a five year deal.

Shaw had the year of his life last season, impressing many across the country in a Saints shirt.

All of this bodes well for Southampton. After an decent finish in last season's campaign, big spending show's that their sights are set higher up that table, and they're most certainly in the runnings for a top ten finish.

Southampton have clearly used their brains, a strong youth system is now merging with an outgoing bill for big name transfers, and it's all looking good for the lads down South. All I can say is, it must be an exciting time to be a Saints fan.