Southampton: The Smalling Years

[TodayForTomorrow]

Evening All!


I started a save with Southampton when i first got the game, and i'm now about a month into my second season with them, and have come to the conclusion that i want to share this story with the world.


Ill fire up some screenshots of the first season; league tables, fixtures, transfers etc, and then hopefully start updating regularly.


2013/4 League Table
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2013/14 Transfers
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2013/14 Fixtures


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apologies for the last one doubling up on fixtures...


Preseason 2014 results
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u18 squad
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u21 squad
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senior squad
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2014/15 Transfers
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Tactics:
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[TodayForTomorrow]

Smalling Talks to Media
Southampton manager Rick Smalling has spoken to the media ahead of his teams opening game of the season against Cardiff; when asked what he thought of his team's chances this season, this is what he had to say:
After our performance last season, i'm confident that we can continue to develop and build the squad for the future. Many people will be expecting us to push beyond our position last season, but personally i would be content with a similar showing from the lads, with the added bonus of European experience"

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Southampton Lineup v Cardiff
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After a dull first half lacking in any significant action, Southampton Manager Rick Smalling shook things up a bit, switching formation to provide his side with more firepower, and asking questions of his team in the dressing room. Luciano Vietto replaced Sebastian Druissi up front, and the second half got underway.

-an Anderson free kick from just outside the area rattled the crossbar on 63 minutes, and was the first real moment of danger for either side.
-Jordan Henderson replaced James Ward-Prowse on 70 minutes
-Frantisek Rajitorain scored for Cardiff in the 86th minute, surely putting the game beyond the reach of a valiant Southampton side
-Kris Commons scored his side's second on the 90th minute to seal the result, closely followed by a Danny Graham goal in stoppage time to compound Southampton's misery.

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Speaking after the game, manager Rick Smalling expressed his dissapointment at his sides late collapse, stating categorically that "much work clearly needs done on the defensive side of our game, to prevent this happening again"

 

[TodayForTomorrow]

August 2014

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August 2014 Update
Europa League play-off
Zurich 1 - 3 Southampton

Ward-Prowse - 13
Rodriguez - 36
Shaw - 40
Bertossa -85

MotM: Luke Shaw
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Premier League
Swansea 1 - 4 Southampon
Williams (OG) - 16
Anderson (Pen) - 37
Cork - 51
Rodriguez - 84
Michu - 39

MotM: Luke Shaw
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Europa League Playoff
Southampton 4 - 4 Zurich
(7-5 Aggregate)
Anderson - 8
Vietto - 33
Druissi - 51
Rodriguez - 58

Boruc (OG) - 47
Gavranovic - 62, 70
Walpen - 84

MotM:Anderson
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Premier League
Watford 0 - 1 Southampton
Rodriguez (pen) - 52

MotM: Matteo Musacchio
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News: Gabriel Barbosa joins Southampton!
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Southampton have this morning announced the signing of 17-year old Brazilian starlet Gabriel Barbosa, for a fee of ?2.5 million. Speaking to the media this morning, Barbosa was full of praise for the team at Southampton, and had this to say: "I am delighted to be moving to Southampton: the team and facilities here are excellent, and i'm looking forward to the physical challenge of playing in England, and the high standard of European competition the club will be involved in."


Summary:
A good month overall, into the group stages of the Europa League, and avoiding the relegation zone which seemed so real after the Cardiff game.
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Awards
Young Player of the Month: Luke Shaw
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​

 

[TodayForTomorrow]

September 2014

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September 2014


News: Matej Vydra joins Southampton
Southampton boss Rick Smalling continues to expand his squad with young talent, signing Czech forward Matej Vydra on a free transfer. In a team already full of offensive talent, it will be interesting to see where Vydra fits in, and who, if anyone, will be offloaded to make room.
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Games:
Premier League
Southampton 1 - 1 Newcastle
Cork - 21
Gouffran - 55

MotM: Jack Cork
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Europa League Group C
Videoton 0 - 5 Southampton
Wanyama - 3, 43, 60, 83
Vietto - 41

MotM: Victor Wanyama
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Premier League
Southampton 2 - 3 Manchester United
Vydra - 51
Rodriguez - 53
Hernandez - 45
Kagawa - 75, 84

MotM: Matej Vydra
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Capital One Cup 3rd Round
Norwich 3 - 2 Southampton
Chambers - 45
Gabriel Barbosa - 90
Fer - 25, 90
Hooper - 38
MotM: Gabriel Barbosa
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Premier Division
West Ham 4 - 0 Southampton
Cole - 4
Carroll - 11
Jarvis - 53, 84
MotM: Matej Vydra
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Summary:
A dissapointing month, with the defense really letting the team down, particularly late in the game. I've yet to put my finger on what is causing these late collapses, but they are costing us dearly.​

 

[TodayForTomorrow]

huh? next month's update coming soon

 

[TodayForTomorrow]

October 2014

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Matches:

EURO Cup
Southampton 3 - 1 Stuttgart
Gaston Ramirez - 8
Anderson - 46
Adam Lallana - 93
Konstantin Rausch - 86
Southampton Player of the Match
View attachment 454978Luke Shaw


League
Tottenham 2 - 3 Southampton
Danny Rose - 47
Nacer Chadi - 80
Jordan Henderson - 48
Anderson - 78
Jay Rodriguez - 91
Southampton Player of the Match
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Anderson


League
Southampton 0 - 1 Chelsea
Willian - 8

Southampton Player of the Match
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Mateo Musacchio


EURO Cup
Sparta Prague 2 - 5 Southampton
Nicolas Claveria - 26
Tomas Coufal - 81
Gaston Ramirez - 6,45,49
Jay Rodriguez - 42
Jordan Henderson - 85

Southampton Player of the Match
View attachment 454974Gaston Ramirez


Southampton 3 - 3 West Brom
Mateo Musacchio - 36
Jay Rodriguez - 52
Anderson - 77Eduardo - 2,25
Ola Toivonen - 51


Player of the Month:
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Mateo Musacchio
This guy has been an absolute rock at the back for the last month, despite the goals the team have conceded, and hes chipped in creatively as well; amazing talent


Current Standings
League: 14th
EURO Cup: Group Stages (1st)

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