After he had guided Southampton to an impressive eighth-placed finish last term, Mauricio Pochettino decided in the summer that the lure of taking charge of Tottenham Hotspur was too strong to turn down.

It sparked the exit of a number of players who had been vital under Pochettino's management, including Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw.

Ronald Koeman was the man charged with the task of steadying what appeared to be an ailing ship, but how has the Dutchman fared? Here, Sports Mole has assessed where the Saints stand following five months of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign.

August

Having lost so many key players in the summer exodus, Anfield was one of the last venues where Ronald Koeman would have wanted to kick off his Premier League career.

Yet, while they were ultimately defeated 2-1, there were plenty of positives for Koeman to take from the performance that his new-look side put in. Right-back Nathaniel Clyne scored for the Saints - the start of a series of displays that would earn him senior international recognition.

That confidence will have drained away somewhat when West Bromwich Albion left the St Mary's Stadium with a 0-0 draw next time out, but summer signing Graziano Pelle gave the side a boost when he scored his first goal for the club during the 2-0 League Cup win over Championship side Millwall.

The Italian was on the scoresheet again at West Ham United, with Morgan Schneiderlin helping himself to a brace of goals as Koeman's men recorded an impressive 3-1 win at Upton Park.

September

Such was the standard of Southampton's performances and results throughout September, Koeman would be named the Premier League's Manager of the Month.

It all started with the visit of Newcastle United to the South Coast. Pelle was once again clinical, scoring twice in a 4-0 victory as the Tynesiders were put to the sword.

Then, away at Swansea City, a hard-fought 1-0 victory came about thanks to the unlikely source of Victor Wanyama and that was backed up by a great strike from Pelle, which secured a 2-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers.

The Saints also continued to march on in the League Cup. Alexis Sanchez put hosting Arsenal in front early on at the Emirates Stadium, but Dusan Tadic equalised from the penalty spot, before a stunning effort from distance by Clyne secured Southampton's place in the next round of the competition.

October

Having departed for Tottenham in the summer, Pochettino came up against the Saints for the first time at White Hart Lane at the start of October. The Argentine came out on top as well, with Christian Eriksen scoring the only goal of the contest in North London.

The response from Southampton, though, was emphatic. While Sunderland may have defended poorly on the South Coast, the Saints were clinical to say the least. They scored eight unanswered goals - a return that included a brace from Pelle and three assists courtesy of Tadic.

Riding the crest of a wave, how would Southampton react at home to Stoke City? It was by no means as memorable as the previous encounter, but Sadio Mane fired in to give the hosts another three points.

Meanwhile, Stoke were also Southampton's opponents in the League Cup. The tie seemed to be heading into extra time with the score locked at two goals apiece, only for Pelle to strike two minutes from time to send Koeman's side into the quarter-finals of the competition.

November

Prior to this season, Wanyama had not been known for his goalscoring prowess, but he displayed great instincts when he ensured that Southampton got off to a winning start in November with an early strike from distance away at Hull City.

Next up was struggling Leicester City, who frustrated the Saints until Shane Long came off the bench to score twice in quick succession. It was a game that also saw Southampton keep a fourth consecutive Premier League clean sheet.

After those positive results, though, the Southampton bandwagon slowly started to derail. A trip to Aston Villa promised much, but only a late goal from Clyne rescued a point for the visitors, who would play host to champions Manchester City as November drew to a close.

An even contest had been anticipated, but the gulf in class was there for all to see as second-half goals from Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy ensured that City won through, despite the dismissal of centre-back Eliaquim Mangala. It was a defeat that would have a big impact on the Saints ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

December

The performance away at Arsenal was much improved at the start of December, but it counted for little thanks to a last-minute strike from Gunners talisman Sanchez.

It meant that the Saints went into their home clash against Manchester United without a victory from their previous three outings - a sequence that would be extended to four. The hosts created a handful of chances, particularly during the first half, but their wastefulness was punished by Robin van Persie, who scored both of United's goals in a 2-1 win.

Now in a rut of sorts, Burnley got the better of Southampton at Turf Moor, before they were embarrassed by League One outfit Sheffield United in the last eight of the League Cup.

Yet, that seemed to be just the jolt that the Saints squad needed to end 2014 on a high note. Everton were well beaten 3-0 at St Mary's, before they scored three again at Crystal Palace. The year was then rounded off by a stubborn display against leaders Chelsea, which ended in a highly credible 1-1 draw.

Position at start of 2015: 4th

Star player so far: Morgan Schneiderlin

Must do better: Sadio Mane

Where they need to strengthen in January: Attacking midfield

Mid-season grade: B+

To see Southampton's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.