Taking Southampton North!

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English Premier League - Game 26 - Derby County (Home)

It’s vital that we arrest our slump here. Derby managed to hold us to a draw earlier in the season, but hopefully we can find a way to win today. It’s a strong lineup named 4 days ahead of our critical first leg clash with Atletico in the Champions League. We need to get some confidence back before we play Atleti, and Chelsea in the League Cup Final straight after that. After being robbed by goalkeepers in our last two matches - arguably three, considering how well Courtois played for Chelsea - surely we won’t come up against another? Will we?

In the 23rd minute Augustinsson squared for Pjaca who stepped into the box and belted the ball into the post! Please don’t let this happen again…

A minute later Gitschier sent a lovely ball through for Vietto, who was in behind the defence. He carried it forwards nicely, stepped inside and lashed the ball off the near post and in! It really is a game of fine margins sometimes.

In the 30th minute we doubled our lead through the unlikeliest of scorers. Augustinsson found himself in the 6 yard box, and powered home a header from Chambers’ cross. First of the season for the Swede, and his first ever for the club, more than halfway through his third season here!

In the 56th minute Augustinsson once again turned provider for Own Goal, this time Hong Jeong-Ho getting the decisive touch on his cross into the 6 yard box.

De Paul and Balic replaced Gitschier and Ward-Prowse in the 71st minute. De Paul went to the left, Pjaca to the right and Asensio to the centre.

In the 77th minute Chambers’ attempted cross almost found it’s way in, but for the upright!

Asensio teed De Paul up on the edge of the area a few seconds later but he blasted high and wide.

Wanyama replaced Asensio in the 80th minute. Balic moved forwards to the number 10 position.

Larrivey picked up a consolation goal in the 88th minute with a close range volley. It was almost as if we were inviting them to score, as we just kept turning the ball over unnecessarily.

I’m annoyed about the late goal, but overall pleased to see us get back to winning ways. We return to the top of the ladder, though if Chelsea win they will be ahead on goal difference again.

POM: Ludwig Augustinsson (8.8, 1G, 1A)
 

UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round - First Leg - Atletico Madrid (Home)


The crucial first leg of our First Knockout Round tie against Atletico. If we want to progress, we have to win today, and avoid giving up away goals. I’d take a 1-0 win all day. Kurzawa and Ward-Prowse need to avoid yellow cards, or they will be suspended for the second leg. Balic, on the bench, is in the same position. As for Atletico, they have some lethal weapons, including Griezmann, Koke and Martinez, who has been scoring for fun for the last few years.

And it took 19 seconds! Gitschier spread the ball wide for Cedric, who sent in a low near post cross, and Vietto got a touch on it to find the net! A goal against his former club! What a start!

And in the 7th minute we had our second! Ward-Prowse’s corner was headed goalwards by Laporte, but was saved. It fell loose, and Gitschier won the goalmouth scramble to stab it home! Now to keep things tight at the other end.

Koke was fortunate to escape a second yellow just before half time for a second foul on Ward-Prowse.

Asensio went on a fantastic run in the 58th minute, skinning two defenders, but he hit the side netting.

Pjaca replaced De Paul in the 60th minute.

In the 67th minute Griezmann got his head to a corner at the near post, and Gimenez headed goalwards at the back post. Dragowski got himself in the way, before dropping to deny Martinez from the rebound. Fantastic keeping.

But from the subsequent corner, Juanfran’s volley was blocked by Laporte, but it fell perfectly for Lazaar, who struck it home.

Milik and Clasie replaced Vietto and Wanyama in the 76th minute.

And in the 81st minute we were hit on the counter, Gökhan putting in a low cross, which Martinez got on the end of in the 6 yard box to tie the game. Terrible collapse.

Kurzawa hit the side netting two minutes later after a nice pass from Pjaca. He should have passed rather than shot.

So frustrating to have thrown that away. A two goal lead, without conceding an away goal, would have been huge heading into the second leg, but as it stands, Atletico are comfortable favourites to progress. A draw won’t suffice for us, unless we manage to score at least 3, which means we need to win at the Calderon to advance. Disappointing. We will have to put this behind us as we prepare to face Chelsea in the League Cup Final next. The good news is that Chelsea’s league game against Stoke was played at the same time as this fixture, and they lost 1-0!

POM: Cedric (7.6, 0G, 1A)
 

Iniesta wants more game time. I talk him round. The issue is that he just doesn’t have the legs to play regularly.


Gitschier picks up the Young Player of the Month Award, with Jurcik coming in third. After three consecutive Manager of the Month Awards I don’t even place after a poor February. Diego Costa’s ridiculous goal against us wins Goal of the Month. Andersson and Jacobsen are impressing out on loan.
 

Capital One Cup - Grand Final - Chelsea FC (Neutral)


The League Cup Final. After falling short on penalties in the FA Cup last year, I’m still without a domestic trophy. Hopefully that changes today. It’s about as strong a lineup as we can muster today, with Tadic back from his injury and able to make the bench. It’s a battle between two of the Premier League title contenders, and could be a massive confidence boost for the winner ahead of the run in. Chelsea are of course favourites, but we outplayed them at St Mary’s last month and were unlucky not to win. Let’s see how we go today. Our nemesis Costa, who has scored almost every time we’ve faced the Blues, including in each of the last 4 encounters, is only on the bench. I hope he stays there!

In the 8th minute Augustinsson should have opened the scoring, as he escaped unmarked and was picked out 6 yards out by Asensio’s free kick, but Courtois stuck out a hand and kept it out!

A brilliant 18th minute counter saw Pjaca pick out Vietto, who then played the ball into the path of Gitschier, but the youngster couldn’t beat Courtois, who came up with another big save.

In the 26th minute Laporte chested down Ward-Prowse’s free kick and rifled past Courtois. Unfortunately, Ødegaard was the last line of defence, and stuck out a leg to clear off the line! Vietto’s followup was charged down by Willian.

And then of course, Chelsea scored from their first real opportunity, as Christensen chased down a cleared corner and chipped it back in for Willian, who was jumping backwards as he struck a volley into the net. Typical.

Milik and Tadic came on for Vietto and Gitschier in the 58th. Asensio and Tadic swapped.

In the 67th minute Cuadrado scored a goal I couldn’t even comprehend. Costa, who had just come on, chipped a harmless ball towards the box, looking for Hazard. Süle, instead of heading clear, headed down and backwards, through the legs of a surprised Laporte, and Cuadrado pounced, slamming home at point blank range. Right place, right time.

Balic replaced Clasie a minute later.

Look at those match stats. Infuriating! Not one player stood up and made a difference today. Courtois kept us out early, and we imploded from there. Another domestic final, another loss. Considering we’re likely to go out in Europe to Atletico, the Premier League is now our best shot at a trophy this season.


POM: Willian (Chelsea FC - 8.3, 1G, 0A)

Best Southampton Player: Marco Asensio (7.1, 0G, 0A)

 

English Premier League - Game 27 - West Bromwich Albion (Home)


Surely we will have too much quality for the Baggies today. Our recent form is poor though, and we need to start being more clinical in front of goal. We can reclaim 1st place in the league with a win, and I expect nothing less.

In the 6th minute Roberts ran nearly the length of the field after we had a corner. He sent a cross to the far post for Spittal, but Dragowski was too good.

Two minutes later Morrison sent a ridiculous through ball from in his own half, and Seferovic shot first time from the edge of our box, but Dragowski turned it wide as well.

Pjaca opened the scoring up the other end in the 15th minute, after Wanyama had sent Asensio through, and the Spaniard whipped a ball to him, which he belted into the roof of the net. 10th of the season.

In the 29th minute Asensio showed great awareness once again, this time to tee up Gitschier. His shot looked in but had missed by the finest of margins.

Pjaca slipped a perfect pass to Gitschier in the 49th, but he was denied. He regathered the ball and was tackled, and Pjaca struck the loose ball wide.

Milik replaced an ineffective Vietto in the 53rd.

Tadic replaced Gitschier in the 61st, swapping with Asensio.

Asensio surged through in the 69th minute, but blasted inches wide.

Augustinsson replaced Kurzawa in the 71st.

Two minutes later West Brom equalised, as some broken play resulted in the loose ball being played through for Seferovic, who was denied once by Dragowski, but he finished at the second attempt.

In stoppage time a long free kick was sent into our box from halfway, and for reasons unknown, Chester escaped unmarked. He didn’t miss.

We’ve lost our edge in front of goal, and we’ve lost our advantage in the title race. Another loss which is very difficult to take. Just not good enough. Our first home loss in the league this season.


POM: James Chester (West Bromwich Albion - 8.1, 1G, 0A)

Best Southampton Player: Marco Asensio (7.8, 0G, 1A)
 
Congrats for reaching 100 pages in the story Patrick ! I wish you making them one thousand ha ha !
 
Losing 2-1 to West Brom must be a Southampton thing.. :'( Hope you can get your form back in time to win the title!
 
kolas79 said:
Congrats for reaching 100 pages in the story Patrick ! I wish you making them one thousand ha ha !
Click to expand...

Thanks Kolas! As long as you and others remain interested, and I do too, then there's no reason for it to end soon :)

Luke4 said:
Losing 2-1 to West Brom must be a Southampton thing.. :'( Hope you can get your form back in time to win the title!
Click to expand...

Hahaha seems like it, though mine was a home loss :/ I hope so but it's a long shot
 

English Premier League - Game 28 - Manchester City (Away)


Our schedule doesn’t get any easier, as we attempt to arrest our form slump. Man City away is followed by Everton and Atletico, also both on the road. We then have a brief respite, facing Fulham at home, before we hit the road again to take on Arsenal, and after that we host Spurs. We need to be picking up points in all of the league games, probably winning at least three or four of the five if we’re to stay in the running for the title.

That all went down the drain as Laporte gave away a penalty after 40 seconds for tripping Sterling. Or not - Dragowski saved Agüero’s spot kick! Amazing!

But in the 27th minute a speculative Semedo shot hit the post, and Sterling was left with a tap in. Against all odds, he managed to score it. First time for everything I suppose.

Agüero made it two in the 31st as he brilliantly turned Süle and buried the ball in the bottom corner. That guy is just way too good.

In the 37th minute Vietto hit the post from Ward-Prowse’s corner, but luckily, Laporte netted the rebound.

Less than a minute after half time, Vietto hit the post again! This time from a very sharp angle after being fed by Cedric.

De Paul replaced Tadic in the 53rd and swapped wings with Pjaca.

In the 55th minute Süle tackled Agüero, but it rebounded off the striker and went past the German. Agüero was alone against Dragowski, but our keeper kept us in it.

Chambers replaced Süle in the 59th.

Sindelar replaced Vietto in the 71st.

In the 79th minute another lucky ricochet sent Agüero past Chambers, but Dragowski made the stop at his near post from a tight angle.

A result that really leaves us off the pace for the title. All three of our competitors have the advantage over us now, and considering our form, it might be time to start looking over our shoulders rather than ahead of us.


POM: Nélson Semedo (Manchester City - 8.9, 0G, 1A)

Best Southampton Player: James Ward-Prowse (7.9, 0G, 0A)
 

English Premier League - Game 29 - Everton FC (Away)


Everton are pressing for Europa League qualification, and given our current form and their home ground advantage, are probably favourites today.

Asensio opened the scoring though with an emphatic volley from Pjaca’s cross in the 13th minute.

Sindelar played a great ball through to an overlapping Balic in the 31st minute, but he missed the target from a promising position.

Sindelar embarked on an incredible run in the 53rd minute, before squaring to Balic, who teed up Asensio, but his shot whistled inches wide of the top corner.

Ward-Prowse and Asensio were replaced by Tadic and Gitschier in the 69th minute. Balic swapped with Gitschier.

Of course, 5 minutes later we were hit on the counter, and Mirallas crossed for a point blank Mayoral header.

Jurcik lost the ball to Mayoral two minutes later but was bailed out by Dragowski.

Kießling replaced Sindelar in the 77th.

In the 86th they countered from a free kick, but Jordy Clasie was back in time to block Mayoral’s close range effort from Vasquez’s cross.

Kießling should have won it in stoppage time after being picked out by Tadic, but Ederson made the save.

Infuriating match stats once again. We played Everton off the park and deserved all three points. Instead, the wheels continue to fall off our title challenge.


POM: Marko Pjaca (8.8, 0G, 1A)
 
Ouch...
The Chelsea bus run over your lads x_X

Sorry about the loss, lifting the Capital One Cup would have work wonders in the morale of the kids and that would have helped a lot now that the season is getting so tough and clustered with so many matches (English schedules are BRUTAL), but oh well... what can we do.

At least Soton is still alive in the Premier (despite losing the leadership they're still hanging in there) and Champions League... even if the result is far from great if you ask me.

Anyway, keep up the good work and the good results will eventually come again.
 
Zlatan Lumic said:
Ouch...
The Chelsea bus run over your lads x_X

Sorry about the loss, lifting the Capital One Cup would have work wonders in the morale of the kids and that would have helped a lot now that the season is getting so tough and clustered with so many matches (English schedules are BRUTAL), but oh well... what can we do.

At least Soton is still alive in the Premier (despite losing the leadership they're still hanging in there) and Champions League... even if the result is far from great if you ask me.

Anyway, keep up the good work and the good results will eventually come again.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I think you're right. We should have won that match, and if we had then I'm confident we would have been performing, but as it stands, morale is shot and our form is terrible. A game every three days doesn't help either.

Agree with you on the first leg, gives us little to no chance in the return leg but oh well.

I certainly hope so, thank you!
 

UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round - Second Leg - Atletico Madrid (Away)


Our second leg against Atletico should just be a formality for the Spaniards. We’re woefully out of form, having won just 1 game in our last 10 in all competitions, and require a win here to progress. Hugely unlikely.

Iago Aspas opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a lovely run and finish from a sharp angle.

A massive goal kick from Moreira was headed on by Martinez in the 13th and Aspas was through again, but Dragowski stopped him ending the contest right there.

Pjaca was denied in the 32nd minute after chasing down a cleared cross and cutting back inside for a shot. Good save from Moreira.

In the 42nd minute we were absolutely robbed. Sindelar’s shot deflected of Godin to Asensio, who looked to have tucked the ball away but for Moreira, who clawed it off the line at full stretch! Insane keeping.

Vietto replaced Sindelar in the 56th.

De Paul replaced Asensio in the 60th minute, switching with Pjaca.

Tadic replaced Gitschier in the 68th.

We had to go for broke, and in the 70th minute Aspas buried us with a close range volley after a counter attack.

Dragowski denied him a hat trick in the 77th with a good save after another counter.

But in the 82nd minute he had it after a nice run to the back post to meet Gökhan’s cross.

Moreira halted Vietto’s great run in stoppage time with a nice save.

As expected, we were outclassed. With a bit more luck and a bit less brilliant goalkeeping from Moreira, we might have come close, but it wasn’t to be. The Premier League is all we have left now, and right now, that looks bleak.


POM: Iago Aspas (Atletico Madrid - 9.5, 3G, 0A)

Best Southampton Player: Victor Wanyama (7.2, 0G, 0A)
 
Sad to see your Champions League campaign end. Have you tried 4-4-2 in Europe? Works brilliantly with Oxford for me
 
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