Rebuilding a Saint: Southampton's quest to former glory

[casey32]

Markus Liebherr has told Alan Pardew he will be not needed this season despite having finished 7th Last term with a 10 point deduction due to the financial trouble of the previous season and winning the JT Paint Trophy. It has been a shock to the Saint’s fans and some have questioned the Swiss businessman’s mental health.The member of one of Europe’s top family business dynasties had this to say before releasing the name of the new manager.

“ Alan did a great job and I thank him highly for what he achieved at the club, I feel the club has a new era on the horizon. I have been keeping tabs on a highly rated young coach who has worked at Palace, Coventry and Birmingham.”

The man who was appointed to replace Pardew was Simon Casey. Casey 30, born and raised in Dublin has been tipped as a promising manager and after working behind the scenes it is now time to show the world well League one what he is capable of.

Southampton who were founded in 1885 will celebrate their 125th anniversary in the 2010/2011 season will want to celebrate it in the championship. Southampton have slumped down the football tiers over recent years. Casey wants to rebuild the Saint’s back to the glory days of Keegan, Shilton, Shearer, Beattie, Le Tissier and most recently Crouch and Bridge. Southampton spent 27 years in the top flight before their relegation at the end of the 2004/2005 season, Southampton then dropped to League one in 2009 and will be looking to Casey to guide them back where they belong.
Casey has a top training ground, an excellent youth academy (that have produced the likes of Bale, Walcott and Bridge) and a great 32,000 capacity stadium by the name of St Mary’s Stadium. St Mary’s may not have the history of the Dell which is where the Saint’s moved from in 2001 but Casey is looking to make history.

Moments after Casey’s arrival at the training ground he already stated his intentions by firstly releasing all of the backroom staff and telling the squad no one is guaranteed to play as he looks to build a young team of top quality that can mould into a premiership quality side. After releasing the staff Casey brought in his men the next day. The coaching team saw some unknown faces and some household names. Ricky Sbragia came in from Sunderland were he has Chief scout to become Caseys right hand man. Sbragia is highly respected in the footballing world, the Scot managed Sundeland to safety in 2009 as his spell as caretaker manager but resigned soon after. Sbragia spent time at Man Untied as Reserve team manager.
Andy Cole along with the retired Dean Ashton were brought in to help the attack and former Croatian international Robert Prosinecki has came in to help the squads technique. Two World Cup winners also joined in the forms of new goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez and defensive coach Marcel Desailly. Two physios were brought one of which is England’s Gary Lewin. Casey also added 5 new scouts 2 English, 2 German and 1 Scottish.

Markus Liebherr has given Casey £15m to spend, how is has change since he brought the club. The expectations are to win the league and that should be a walk in the park with that money but Casey will need to spend for the future. Casey has gone on to say,​

“ My squad will be very different and although Southampton have a good squad I feel that most players have a limited talent. I will be looking to player who can grow as do not only build a strong team but a strong spirit and a family like atmosphere. There may be a lot of changes this season but its better to make them now and settle the squad after then constantly chopping and changing the squad as we progress.”

Game Info

Database: Large 10.3 Chris22 Summer update as of 21/7/2010
Past experience: Automatic
Leagues: England-League two and above, Spain-Top league only, Italy- Top league only.
Extras: Top division players from France and Germany loaded.
Gameplay: My own tactic, with no corner glitches been taken advantage of.​

 

[Alcaraz]

Good OP mate......will follow

 

[miggo97]

Great OP.... Carry on doing well should be a good story there isn't very many Southampton story's on here

 

[Smoop]

Southampton are a great team to be, and when you get to the premier league you get very large transfer budgets good luck

 

[Trophy_Whorder]

best of luck i will follow if you keep going be great to see them back in the premier league.

 

[casey32]

Wow thanks wasn't expecting that support already, this will be my last story of fm2010 so it will hopefully be my best

 

[dabigberto]

good luck mate as a Saints fan I will follow

 

[casey32]

A New Set of Saints

Casey has made and incredible amount of signing this pre-season with free agents, loanees, big and small fees. 22 players for a total of £11.75m have joined as the new manager creates his squad. Only six were shown the door but most of the original squad have been transfer listed. Clubs seem to be put of buying players from the Saints even at reduce prices due to the fact most of the players signed under Pardew were just signed themselves, unlucky for them most aren’t in Casey’s plans. In other news pre-season friendlies went well no need to go into great detail.

Casey quickly snapped up 5 free agents, two youngster ex Man Utd striker Febian Brandy a speedy young striker and ex Chelsea left back Ryan Bertrand a promising full back were signed with Casey looking to the future. Then 3 players with a lot of experience joined first was Geovanni the midfielder who recently left Hull has been added to give the side more flair and a hint of unpredictability in attack. Sol Campbell joined soon after and was made the new club captain, the ex England international is vastly experience and will give the team the winning edge and hopefully pass the quality on to the youngsters. The last free agent was Marlon Harewood , a quick and powerful striker with experience at premiership level and lower league level too, Marlon will more then likely spend most of the season on the bench.

Next Casey looked towards the future signing 8 players under the age of 20. 1st was Marco Verratti for £100k a highly rated 16 year old, Casey was keen to snap up the youngster before the big clubs came calling will be a major star at St Mary’s if they can hold onto him. Jacob Mellis joined from Chelsea for £200k the attacking mid will be retrained to play on the wings as well as the centre he is promising and one to watch. Next up Robbie Brady an exciting Irish winger signed for £450k from Man Utd. Next was the most expensive signing Miles Addison a very promising defensive mid who can play centre back also, Casey sees him as a a player with huge potential and made him vice captain. Miles will be tutored by Campbell to help him with the responsibility Casey paid £3m for his man from Derby. Then came Nathanial Clyne a quick full back who will be trained to play on either flank, the right back joined from Palace for a fee of £875k. Alex Smithies was next to join surprising most by choosing the Saints over Spurs the young keeper was signed for £800k from Hudderfield. Owen Garvan was the second irish youngster to join , he cost a cool £1.7m from Ipswich but has proven himself at championship level already. Lastly came a giant the towering Lacina Traore for £1.2m from CFR Cluj, I doubt the other sides defenders were happy to see this expect him to bang the goals in.

Then Casey looked for bargains before ending his spending spree. Gary Kenneth was brought in from Dundee Utd to strengthen the backline for £400k. Team mate Craig Conway soon joined for £400k also the winger is a dribbling wizard and loves to whip in deadly crosses. Next came the two biggest coups, two strikers both Portuguese and both too good for league one. 1st Helder Postiga for £1.7m surely he will be hitting 25+ this season. Then came Yannick Djalo, yes Djalo god help the defenders who have to face him I expect him to score for fun and hopefully be a long servant to the club. Lastly what I feel will be the bargain of the season a South African international and a very experienced left back for only £26k from M.Haifa, I introduce you to Peter Masilela.

Lastly Casey made 4 long term loans, Casey is expected to only use them as back up in order to give youngsters a chance firstly to help the clubs future. The Players on Loan are….. Havard Nordtveit, Kyle Naughton, Nedum Onouha and Mame Biram Diouf.

 

[casey32]

August Report

A nice opener to the season for the Saints with an easy win away to Colchester. Traore, Campbell and Postiga all scoring on their debut. Nearly the whole squad were making their debut bar two players.

Saints throught to the 2nd round of the League Cup with a thumping 5-0 win over Barnet. Postiga, Traore and Campbell on the scoresheet again.Vice captain Miles Addison scored his first goal for the club. Could and maybe should of won by alot more.

Another cleansheet for the third game running. Traore scored in his 3rd consecutive game for the Saints. Loanee Diouf scored his 1st of the season and Lallana got his 1st of the season also. Yet again dominated the game.

Closest game of the season gave Wednesday plently of chances and they could of easily come away with all 3 points. Cant expect perfection every game as the team still needs time to gell. Campbell popped up ahead as he proves to be a major force in the air.

Conway started on the left wing and made it his own making the Walsall full back wishing he stayed at home, Conway finished the game with a hat trick to his name. Campbell and Traore again on the scoresheet in this easy win.

An exciting League Cup match up, the game was very even in the 1st 90 but when the game hit extra time the younger fresher legs ran away with it creating 3 good chances and taking 2 of those. Verratti and Geovanni scoring their 1st goals for the club.

Defensively showed a few to many gaps but yet again the strikeforce was too much for the opposition. Postiga scored a nice header from a well worked Verratti free kick. Lallana and Geovanni made a good impression as they stake a claim for a 1st team place.

Review

Yannick Djalo will make his debut next month after missing the opening month through injury, the striker is expected to have a big impact for the Saints this season. Liebherr made a cash injection to the clubs finances of £7m as the Saints look to have one of the best owners in the country. Casey picked up the Manager of the Month award leading his side to a 100% win record. Captain Sol Campbell has been very impressive with 4 goals in 7 games and has been a rock in the heart of defence. Campbell has made the Saints a huge threat from set pieces with his dominance in the air. 16 year old Verratti has been also hugely impressive, despite his young age he has really turned it on so far this season with 1 goal and 6 assists in his 1st 7 games for the club. Lacina Traore has already gain spotlight from the European elite with Ranieri present at the Hartlepool game, it is rumored he is interested in signing him for Roma. Top of the table with full points life is good at St.Mary's.

​

 

[casey32]

A have highlighted names to make it easier for people following certain personnel but if people are finding it distracting or off putting please let me know and ill consider taking it off for future posts

 

[SWHUFC]

Excellent Story man !!!!!!!!!! enjoyed reading it i hope ur still following my Preston team but very good signings welldone

 

[casey32]

Excellent Story man !!!!!!!!!! enjoyed reading it i hope ur still following my Preston team but very good signings welldone

Thanks i will have a look soon was just busy with this

 

[casey32]

Kit Plans for next seasons 125th year anniversary


Saints could be returning to their roots nest season 2010/2011 which will hopefully be in the Championship, according to speculation this morning. It has been reported that the club's new kit will be a return to the original St. Mary's Young Men Association's kit from 1885. St. Mary's YMA wore a white kit with a diagonal red sash between 1885 and 1889. That team went on to eventually become Southampton Football Club. Following Flybe's decision not to renew their sponsorship of the club, Saints have vowed not to put a sponsor on replica kits next season, as part of the 125 anniversary of the club. In 2001, Southampton played their last game at The Dell in red and white quarters, in homage to the first kit they ever wore at the ground back in 1898.

​

 

[dannyck]

Nice mate hope it goes well for ya and i will follow!

 

[He]

Very nice story, but would Saints really get £15m? This time last year us fans were already thinking of which new clubs to support.

 

[CrownJewell]

No real Saints fan was looking for a new club to support. You support one club and one club only.

 

[casey32]

Very nice story, but would Saints really get £15m? This time last year us fans were already thinking of which new clubs to support.

you do on the update i use by Chris22 infairness they are minted now with the Liebherr

Nice mate hope it goes well for ya and i will follow!

thanks

No real Saints fan was looking for a new club to support. You support one club and one club only.

I would have to agree with that

 

[casey32]

September Report

An enjoyable match with we controlled with ease. Verratti scored his 1st senior goal with a powerful freekick, Verratti added another from range to cap a great performance from the Italian. Traore popped up again with another goal to add to his tally.

A closer encounter then a few of the previous games we took are chances well. Schneiderlin got his 1st of the season and Djalo managed to get his 1st for the club hopefully the 1st of many. After the match Lewin reported the Verratti will miss 2-3 weeks after picking up an injury.

Lucky to win by 3, we weren't creating as many chances as usual but ahead the quailty of the squad shone through. Conway scored the goal of the game smashing home a free kick from 35 yards.

An expected loss the 1st of the season. We were completely outplayed but Everton are a premiership side and we are nowhere near that standard as of now. Still proud of the lads as the cup run comes to an end.

Tore rivals Plymouth apart and attacked with style not the same can be said about are defending as we left big gaps and failed to keep possession. Djalo picked up a brace which will be great for the chaps confidence.

With County bottom of the table we gave a run out to a few of the younger member of the squad and the took the chance by storm. Febian Brandy and Jacob Mellis both scoring there 1st goals for the club. Campbell also scored his 25th career league goal.

Review

Flying in the league but that is expected with a squad who's talent vastly surpasses the rest of the league. What is pleasing is the fact the goals are coming from all over the pitch. This season will not be much of a test for the squad but more of a learning curve for the younger players and will help the whole squad adsorb the winning mentality. Smithies and Addison missed most of the month as the were representing England in the under 20 World Cup. Verratti came 3rd in both Player and Young Player of the Month, Traore finished just ahead of him in 2nd for Young Player of the Month. Casey went on to win Manager of the Month for the 2nd month running. What might turn out to be the main task for Casey this season will be holding onto his young talent as many clubs have been monitoring the progress of many of the sides promising talent.

​

 

[jthamrun]

Doing great so far mate...keep it up
will be following

 

[Beckham_7]

Well done mate another wikid story....what formation/tactic are you using ?