SAINTS legend Francis Benali has moved to calm fans’ fears following the great St Mary’s summer exodus.

He said: “It’s quite easy to be negative about the position but I would like to take a more positive outlook.

“Ronald Koeman has brought in two new players (Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle) and he obviously wants to bring in more. I’m sure the money that has been brought in will go towards new players.

“There is not a club in the country that does not sell players.

“Ultimately if a player wants to leave and wants to move – as we have seen with Dejan Lovren – it is down to the club to get the best deal possible and get the funds in so that they can strengthen.

“It’s not ideal timewise with the season rapidly approaching but I would be more concerned if I was sat here once the season started and the club said they were not bringing in any new players.

“It is only fair that we give Koeman the chance to bring in new players.

“At this point of time it is a concern but who is to say that in four or five months time we will have some new faces who we are cheering on and they could go and bring greater success to the club.

“I like to look at things from a positive point of view.

“It doesn’t surprise me that they are being written off given the speculation.

“As a player, we were always written off and we took great delight in proving them wrong and staying in the top league.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker, who now presents Match of the Day on the BBC, was one of many struggling to comprehend what has been happening at St Mary’s.

He tweeted this week: “Arsenal have completed the signing of Calum Chambers from, you’ve guessed it, Southampton. Really feel for Saints fans. This is ridiculous!"