Saints legend Terry Paine believes fans could have two new heroes in Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic to replace talismanic duo Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana.

The club’s honorary president is delighted by the business conducted during the transfer window, and thinks the St Mary’s board may have overcome one of their toughest challenges – filling the void left by the sales of Lambert and Lallana to Liverpool.

Paine says the early signs from striker Pelle and playmaker Tadic, the first signings of the Ronald Koeman era, have been good.

“From the supporters’ point of view, they have lost a couple of real heroes in Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, and they really needed something to latch onto. Those two could well be the players that could fill that gap,” he said.

“Pelle is an imposing figure. The more I have seen of him, the better he has looked.

“It’s going to take time – you’re not going to just drop into the Premier League with ease. But four goals already will have taken a lot of pressure off him.

“He’s beginning to pick up the pace of the Premier League a little bit, and he realises what he needs to do a lot more.

“The little lad down the left, Tadic, looks as if he can play.

“He’s got a low centre of gravity, he can turn on a sixpence and throw a shoulder and go the other way – he does remind me of Lallana.

“That’s why I was saying about new heroes – he does capture the imagination.”

Paine believes that Saints have a stronger squad than last season, even with some significant departures in the summer.

It is in defence where he is most impressed with the depth.

“The squad as a whole seems to be a little bit stronger, and where I like it mainly is at the back,” he said.

“It’s early days, but I am delighted with what I have seen there – we look nice and strong.

“I really do think there is greater depth now, more reliable depth.

“I’m much happier at the back than I was last year in that sense.”

Paine’s delight comes despite the loss of left-back Luke Shaw to Manchester United and Dejan Lovren to Liverpool.

“Dejan Lovren was obviously the mainstay at the back, but it looks like we have done our homework in replacing him,” he said.

“I saw a lot of Toby Alderweireld playing for Belgium in the World Cup.

“He comes with a lot of experience and will be a useful asset, especially as he can play right-back as well as centre back, although I think the latter is probably his best position.

“I haven’t seen much of Florin Gardos, but it is good to have strength in that area.”

Paine added: “I have been impressed with Ryan Bertrand at left-back. He seems to have fitted in very nicely and he likes to get forward.

“He has got more experience than Luke Shaw and, although it’s only an impression I have got, I think he is a lot more consistent in what he does when he goes forward.

“I always felt Shaw could have done more than what he actually did during the game, and I think Bertrand has slotted in perfectly.”

Behind the back four, Paine is also thrilled with Saints’ work this summer.

In fact, he rates the £10m signing of keeper Fraser Forster from Celtic as the best of all their summer dealings.

“In the goalkeeping area I thought we really did need some extra strength,” said Paine, Saints’ all-time record appearance holder.

“Of all the signings, I think that’s the best. I like his size, I like his command.”

Former winger Paine, who lives in South Africa, is also excited to see what the club’s most recent signing, Senegal international Sadio Mane, can bring.

“Pace is always an asset and he has got that,” said the 1966 World Cup winner.

“It’s another string to the bow.

“I’m looking forward to taking a look at him, because I like natural wide players. They’re essential to the team.”