THAT they need to add more goals. Thanks for reading our in-depth analysis after seven matches in four weeks.
In all seriousness, that introduction - albeit accurate and reflecting the mood of supporters going into the season - does not tell the full story.
They did score 15 goals in those seven games, but nearly half came against non-league Eastleigh and they failed to net versus Oxford United or Getafe.
Having lost out-of-contract Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong, and loanee David Brooks, over the summer, the top half of the pitch was a clear recruitment focus.
New signing Ben Brereton Diaz only started the two home matches but looks like a real threat and offers a different dimension - standing well over six feet.
His potential contributions are under-estimated - he can easily become only the third player to hit double figures in Premier League goals for Saints since 2016.
Can Adam Armstrong improve on his four goals across two top-flight seasons? Will Smallbone netted six last season and may be another contributor.
However, manager Russell Martin is not shying away from the fact that they need further additions in attack and they have only 19 days to get them.
Are these Southampton's current best teams?
(5-3-2/3-5-2): McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo; Armstrong, Brereton Diaz.
(4-3-3): McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo; Armstrong, Brereton Diaz, Edozie.
Striker Paul Onuachu is a surprise returnee but, while he could be useful, it is not a great sign to rely on someone previously declared unwanted.
Ross Stewart remains a mystery man - he did not travel to Spain and has played no minutes in pre-season. External optimism regarding him is tested.
A number nine to be flanked by Brereton Diaz and Armstrong is a must, while a winger option to compete with Sam Edozie and Sam Amo-Ameyaw is preferable.
What else is obvious from Southampton's pre-season? Martin's intent to attack the Premier League tactically similarly - at least for now.
We have seen captain Jack Stephens and former Swansea City ace Ryan Manning rolling into midfield from their defensive starting positions.
Defensively, they look settled and solid and this has come from familiarity. Their biggest problems remain self-inflicted and will scarcely go unpunished.
The team's tempo with the ball in the first half of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Getafe was at the level sure to be required in the Premier League.
Saints looked zippy as they passed around and on several occasions, Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis kept it well under significant pressure.
Those two will be Southampton's starting pair, although Ronnie Edwards is a bargain for the future at £3million. Nathan Wood looks courageous but raw.
That bravery at the back is at least matched by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who - bar a significant surprise - starts the season as Martin's clear number one.
Saints would like to allow Mat Lis to leave and replace him with competition, but that is going to depend on availability - evidence suggests it could be crucial.
Yukinari Sugawara contends with Brereton Diaz as the best bit of business so far - it is certainly the cleverest, with succession planning in mind.
The 24 year old is a brilliant character, a hard worker, solid enough at the back while talented going forward - and adds consistent quality to set-pieces.
Saints had planned for Kyle Walker-Peters to leave but now look set to start the season using their star man after receiving no satisfactory transfer offers.
There are still many moves left to be made in this window but his potential sale or otherwise has knock-on effects on the starting team and future business.
The impact of merely restoring Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes to their places in last season's team costing the club £38million has become clear.
Saints are just outside the top half of the Premier League's biggest spenders in the summer window so far - despite much more being needed.
Both promise to be good value acquisitions, though. They have worn the armband and are considered among the squad's leaders by Martin.
Downes, in particular, was labelled a future or sooner skipper by assistant Matt Gill and has had a full pre-season with no illnesses or niggles.
Ahead of him, Joe Aribo and academy graduate Smallbone have much to prove at the top level - but there is reason to believe they are being underrated.
They look fit and ready to compete, with contributions going both ways on the pitch. Saints could add in this area but should prioritise the attack.
Charly Alcaraz remains a fan-favourite for his rip-roaring aggression despite not being that fancied by those whose opinions matter.
His sending-off against Lazio summed it all up; he was the most dangerous player on the pitch but ultimately a liability - albeit not the instigator.
If the club received a good offer they would sell and replace him. While he is here, though, it is clear the Argentine offers something a bit different.
Tyler Dibling has had a breakout summer with the first team and could win his first Premier League minutes at the scene of his viral hat trick two years ago.
🔥 16-year old Tyler Dibling scored three identical goals for Southampton u23s.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 26, 2022
His hat-trick looks like replays. 👀
🎥 @SouthamptonFCpic.twitter.com/wKW5ntUIVb
He looks like he has bulked up and has been a threat almost every time he has played. There is much to learn but he and Amo-Ameyaw must be utilised.
Armel Bella-Kotchap seems to be edging closer to an exit back to Germany but Saints might be stuck with an injured Kamaldeen Sulemana.
If any significant sales do go through, supporters will expect it to be reinvested. Throughout pre-season, it has been obvious Saints will be up against it.
They do not have a squad of proven Premier League players, despite adding some know-how in additions such as Charlie Taylor and Adam Lallana.
There are a lot of unknowns and some of what fans do know, they do not like.
Not much importance should be placed on pre-season results - or even performances - but Saints could have lengthened the fuse with a better run.
With frustration at transfer limitations and concerns about going back up against the quality of the teams into the top flight, it feels like a tinderbox externally.
There will be expectations placed on the early Premier League games and kneejerk reactions based on the events (some may end up proven right).
It is the job of Martin to keep it calm internally after some inevitable difficult afternoons. Heavy defeats against the top six will not define the relegation battle.
Saints do not have to be better than the likes of Newcastle, they only have to be better than the three worst teams out of the 20.
Relish being the underdogs, embrace the challenge and enjoy the battle. You could write them off already, but where is the fun in that?
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