Saints have been handed the perfect chance to get their European challenge off to a flyer next season.

In contrast to the incredibly tough start they were handed upon their return to the Premier League, this time round it is set to be hugely different.

And it probably won’t be lost on Saints fans how much things have changed in just a few years as Pompey take on Accrington Stanley, managed by James Beattie, in their first away game.

Of the first 11 league games Saints will play next season, only away trips to Liverpool and Manchester United sit in the ‘do well to get anything out of it’ category. The others look distinctly winnable.

However, before euphoria takes a grip too much, we should also remember that Saints failed to beat any of their first four opponents – West Brom, Sunderland, Norwich and West Ham – over the eight matches they had with them home and away last season.

Out of the 24 points available against those clubs, Saints picked up four.

That said, you would certainly expect the situation to be different this time round.

Mauricio Pochettino will be desperately hoping for a good start if he is to realise the dream of pushing Saints on to the next level.

He and the club are aiming far, far higher than merely finishing fourth from bottom next season. They are gunning to bring European football to St Mary’s.

To do that, they will need to make the most of their kind opening run, and get some genuine momentum behind them.

They did exactly that under Nigel Adkins when they were promoted from the Championship.

It was a season where nobody was entirely sure how they would do, but they started so strongly and from there the momentum and belief it generated saw them through as they kept surging until they won automatic promotion.

And as for that final game of the season at home to Manchester United, well it has the makings of one to remember before the campaign has even kicked off.

Fans will no doubt be looking at some of the trips they can take and whether the list has been kind or not.

For some of the away games, it has not.

Cardiff and Everton away in the space of just a couple of days over Christmas seems like a tough break.

Even worse is a trip to Hull on a Tuesday night in February.

Saints had to endure a similar fixture when they were in the Championship, but at least then there was the excuse of a lot of midweek games.

At this stage Saints only have three midweek matches scheduled for the entire season, and only one away from home, so for that to be at Hull seems faintly ridiculous.

Of course, we all know many of the dates and time will change anyway as TV have their say over the next couple of weeks.

But all that matters for Saints is taking advantage of the hand they have been dealt and getting off to a flyer. It really could set them up for a memorable season.