Loaned from Reading on 31st July 2007
Alan 'Gordon' Bennett had one of the worst debuts in memory looking all at sea in the 4-1 home defeat against Palace. Banished to the reserves, injuries forced a third appearance in which he showed great character to go some way to establishing a reputation.
Rating: 3
Wayne Thomas, central defender, 13 appearances
£1m from Burnley on 16th August 2007
Wayne 'Tank' Thomas has added much needed aggression and pace to a lightweight defence, even if he is prone to the odd traditional Saints defensive error. Raised a few eyebrows for his low profile and high fee, but has proved the doubters wrong and has earned the captain's armband.
Rating: 8
Youssef Safri, central midfielder, 14 appearances
£100k from Norwich on 2nd August 2007
After a troubled exit from Norwich, the Moroccan playmaker has looked a class act and is possibly the bargain of the season at a little over £100k. His unfortunate red card helped demonstrate his value to the team, as the side struggled for fluency without his combination of passing and ball winning.
Rating: 9, Star man
Jason Euell, attacking midfielder, 10 appearances, 1 goal
Free from Middlesborough on 31st August 2007
The Premiership veteran has showed glimpses of his talent and goal threat, appearing mostly from the bench as the form of Safri, Idiakez and Viafara has kept him out of his preferred central attacking midfield role. Adds physical presence and composure to the Saints midfield and there should be much more to come.
Rating: 7
Adam Hammill, winger, 6 appearances
Loaned from Liverpool on 12th July 2007
Much was expected of Hammill after an impressive pre-season, but the youngster has proved something of an enigma, more prone to showboating than team play thus far. Burley has never entirely trusted him, reducing him to substitute appearances, but he has undoubted raw talent and may just need a run of games to show his worth.
Rating: 5
Gregory Vignal, left back, 8 appearances
Loaned from Lens on 27th July 2007
The Frenchman has talent, but has never really settled at a number of clubs, now including Saints as he flitters in and out of the team. Has showed signs of solid defending, skill on the ball and an impressive left boot, but never on a consistent basis.
Rating: 6
Christian Dailly, defender, 10 appearances
Loaned from West Ham on 21st September 2007
The West Ham veteran has added experience and composure to the heart of the Saints defence when it was needed most and has formed a good partnership with Wayne Thomas, as well as covering in central midfield to lesser effect during Safri's suspension. Solid rather than spectacular, he has always given 100% to the cause.
Rating: 7
Phillip Ifil, right back, 8 appearances
Loaned from Spurs on 28th September 2007
The Spurs youngster has looked a real find, showing pace, ability on the ball and strength in the tackle. Still needs to impose himself a little more on the game, he would be an excellent permanent signing if only the club had some money...
Rating: 8
Andrew Davies, defender, 3 appearances
Loaned from Middlesborough on 9th October 2007
Signed on loan with a view to a permanent transfer, it is still too early to judge the Boro stopper. Introduced to Saints defending out of position at left back as he was skinned to concede Charlton's late winner, he has proved much more at home at centre back, looking solid and organising the defence well.
Rating: 6