WHEN I was managing, I can remember telling my players after a training session, ‘make sure you watch the game on TV tonight’.

Having seen all the talk about a great win at Wembley, I think a lot of male players could learn a lot.

Teamwork and individual displays etcetera were brought out in the Lionesses’ European Championship final victory over Germany, with a UEFA record attendance in London.

I heard 20 million people watched last week’s final on the television, and a request has been made to the Government that, in all schools, the girls are encouraged to kick a ball in their PE sessions. In the past, it’s sometimes only been boys.

Talking about the women’s game, England will again be taking part in the World Cup next July and August in New Zealand and Australia.

Normally, the BBC cover these World Cup matches but because of the added interest, ITV are apparently prepared to battle it out with their rivals to broadcast the games.

With the conclusion of the summer break, the Premier League games are now starting again and it’s the 30th anniversary of the biggest division in the world starting up.

In the 30 years of the Premiership, and all the coverage on TV, the biggest changes have been clubs being purchased often by rich tycoons from abroad.

Of course, more and more top players have also come in from abroad, along with their managers. Being the biggest league in the world, it always has the most money involved.

A big example is that Chelsea are reportedly ready to buy a 21-year-old defender, Wesley Fofana, from Leicester City – who want £85million. Add that to paying him around £200,000 a week for what could be a five-year contract…

I think that the players in our day, reading this now, will be wishing they could put their boots back on and will be pleased to play for just two or three games. That would top what they used to make in a whole season!

The battle will commence with, as I’ve said before, the big six teams looking to qualify for Europe. The middle group, which Saints are part of, are trying to get higher than last year.

Certainly, not dropping out into the bottom six – a group that will usually involve the three promoted teams from last year, whose aim will be to stay in the league for next season at all costs.

Saints are like a lot of clubs and have had players going and new players coming in. All managers will have been working out their best XI and best systems, making sure team spirit is right.

That’s not just on the pitch, but also in the dressing room. Like I have often said, that is so important as you will get some players are looking at the newcomers wondering if they’re taking their place.

If Saints make sure the atmosphere is right there, with the right approach to the competition, they’ll get the right approach to the opposition when the games kick off.

Saints have not got the easiest start but, having said that, there really are no easy games in the Premiership.

I think Ralph Hasenhuttl has been involved for so long now that he and his new staff members will have been setting up in the right way.

This is what makes the game so exciting for the supporters, who have been wondering what has been happening behind the scenes since the end of last season. They will have picked up some new information reading about the newcomers.

Excitement will be not only that they are looking forward to meeting up with their mates again in pubs and cafes around town beforehand, but to see their new team when Leeds United visit in the second match of the season, after having travelled to Tottenham Hotspur for the kick-off.

So come on Ralph and the Saints, up and at ‘em – we’re all behind you…