The Southampton Project

[mullan_j]

The Southampton Project

Southampton Chairman Nicola Cortese

?Today is one of mixed emotions. I regret to inform you that Mauricio Pochettino has had to resign as manager of Southampton F.C. today due to personal reasons. We thank him for his services and wish him the very best in the future.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Jack Mullan, our new manager. Jack has been at this club for a number of years, most recently as Head of Youth Development, and knows the inner workings of this club better than anyone. Once it was known the job was available, Jack made his intentions very clear, his vision for the club matches mine and the passion and ideas he has excite me. Jack has my full backing, i believe in his project, and i want everyone associated with the club to as well.

I will now pass you over to Jack and let him explain in more detail.
Thank You?


Jack Mullan

?People say that here in England there is a lack of talent. I disagree with this notion, and i intend on changing this perception. I look at some of the talent at this club, such as Shaw, Chambers, Lallana, and there is so much potential here and i plan to turn that potential into success.

I see no reason why this Southampton side, full of young English talent cannot one day win the premier league. That is my goal. Within 5 years, we can win the premier league with an all English squad.

The talent in this country is there. After breaking my leg at a young age i had to stop playing. I worked my way up the coaching ladder and i have seen the talent out there. When i was at Crewe Alexandra, some of the talent i skill which was produced was astounding, and the same has to be said about here. These are 2 of the best academy set ups in the country. I know young talent, and as a nation, we have it.?

New saints manager believes skipper Lallana proves English talent is out there
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[mike887]

really looking forward to this i hope you stick to it good luck

 

[mullan_j]

Mullans Brave New Start

Even though only being in the job a number of weeks, new Southampton manager Jack Mullan has wasted no time in rearranging his squad, and at the very least he is keeping to his word by giving young english talent the opportunity to prove themselves.

Southampton Transfers

Mullan began by shipping out a number of big named foreign stars, freeing up large amounts of cash in both fees and wages. Morgan Schneiderlin left the premier league for SLB in a ?15 million move. Following the frenchman out of St.Mary's are Pablo Osvaldo and Victor Wanyama, both of whom have joined Athletico Madrid on a season long loan, with a view to ?15 millionmoves if successful.

Mullan spoke of the departures recently and was quoted as saying

'Some may disagree with my approach early on, saying that I have let some big players go, however they are not in my plan and we have recieved excellent deals for them. As well as these, you have to look at the high earners we have managed to get off of our wage bill. These 2 combined has allowed us to compete in the market for the individuals we need'

Coming into Southampton this summer was an array of young english talent, all of whom great things are expected of. The largest fee spent was on young england international Jack Butland, who has arrived for a fee of ?9.25 million. It is currently unknown whether this new look Southampton side can succeed, but it will no doubt be exciting to watch it all unfold.

Seated alongside his new signings Mullan took time to address the media regarding his new players

'People may look at the fee we paid for Jack and raise a few eyebrows, but i have no doubt this boy will be one of the best keepers in the world and for England. Any success we have will stem from the strong base he will give us'

'Eric Dier comes to us with a different dimension to his game. He has been raised in Portugal and around a different way of playing football, this will only benefit him and us. Along with this he brings european experience for a player so young. Tomkins and Stones are proper defenders, they will get us clean sheets and will dominate games for us. They have both played in the Championship and Premier League, they understand that the battle has to be won.'

'Tom Ince, Ryan Colclough and Will Hughes all come into the club with no Premier League experience. Do i think that will be a problem? Not at all. They are 3 excellent professionals, and each of them excite and give us something different. The ability they have, and the things i have watched them do with a ball is astounding.'

'I believe that this is the start of something brilliant here, yes it is only the beginning and it will take time. But if you bear with us, it will work. Each player in this squad understands what we are trying to do here, and fully believes in this project.'

Mullan has placed his reputation on this project working out, with pre-season games to come and the start of the league soon, only time will tell.

Mullan has spent a large fee on Butland, hoping for a world class keeper
​

 

[mullan_j]

Pre Season

Banik Ostrava 3 - 1 Southampton
Cork

Arbroath 1 - 3 Southampton
Lambert(2), Chambers

Notts County 2 - 4 Southampton
Ramirez, Lambert, Rodriguez, Colclough

Portadown 0 - 5 Southampton
Ramirez(3), Hughes, Ince

Southampton 5 - 2 Hoffenheim
Lambert, Ramirez(2), Lallana, Rodriguez

Southampton 3 - 2 Athletico
Ince, Lambert, Ward-Prowse

After a strong pre-season, Jack Mullan is starting to see his Southampton side take shape. We have seen early on how exciting they are becoming to watch, with goals coming from everywhere on the pitch. Whilst intergrating his new signings into the side, we are also seeing that Mullan is willing to give the academy products a chance. With the likes of Ryan Seager, Omar Rowe, Jack Stephens and Jake Sinclair also involved throughout pre-season.

'This club has a reputation for producing some of the best young talent, and these boys are no different. When we combine the ability of the players we have signed, our established squad, and the raw talent of these boys, we have something very exciting here'

'The break went really well. Everyone is starting to come together, and we are starting to see some good partnerships being formed. Im looking at some of the more experienced players, such as Lambert and Lallana, who have been at teh club for a number of years to show these boys around and show them what it means to play and represent this great club.'


Southampton Squad Announced for Season

With the season starting next week, all eyes will be on Jack Mullan's Southampton to see how they fair.​

 

[mullan_j]

August

Everton 3 - 1 Southampton
Tomkins

Southampton 1 - 1 Man City
Lambert

Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 4 Southampton - Capital One Cup
Lambert(3), Ward-Prowse

Cardiff 0 - 2 Southampton
Rodriguez, Chambers

September

West Ham 3 - 1 Southampton
Lambert

Southampton 3 - 1 Crystal Palace
Tomkins, Lambert, Rodriguez

Southampton 2 - 0 Stoke - Capital One Cup
Rodriguez, Seager

Southampton 2 - 1 Norwich
Lambert


After 7 games gone, Southampton find themselves around mid-table, a position where most had expected them to finish, however playing some very attractive football, which will no doubt have the fans excited.

'We have started very well and we want it to continue. Everyone is doing there bit so far and so i expect. Its still early days, but its a good start, and we have to keep on looking forward.


October

Aston Villa 2 - 2 Southampton
Lambert, Rodriguez

Southampton 1 - 1 Tottenham
Lallana

Chelsea 1 - 2 Southampton
Lambert, Lallana

Southampton 1 - 0 Swansea - Capital One Cup
Rowe

November

Southampton 2 - 1 Sunderland
Ramirez, Rowe

Southampton 0 - 2 Manchester United

Southampton 2 - 1 Swansea
Tomkins, Rodriguez

Liverpool 5 - 2 Southampton
Rodriguez(2)


As we go into the busy christmas period, Jack Mullan and his Southampton side have found themselves sitting in 7th place. Much higher up the table than most had predicted. They also find themselves into the latter stages of the Capital One Cup. Mullan has managed to find the right mix of players and is using his young squad to the fullest, with a number of players such as Rowe and Seager getting opportunities that many did not expect them to receive.

'Were currently doing very well. Much better than many expected. Not me though, and not my squad. We all know how good we are, and what we can achieve. When i look at this squad i see nothing but quality. With each game we become stronger, we get more experienced and we develop as a side.'

'We have had some great performances so far this season, and I must give credit to a couple of individuals. Eric Dier stepped in at the beginning of the season when Lovren got injured, and he has been immense, he has been immovable. An England call up? Why not. He is playing just as good as any centre half in this league. James Ward-Prowse, this young lad has everything, vision, execution, speed, strength, and his ability on the ball from set-pieces is astounding. Biggest credit of all has to go to our front man, Rickie Lambert, I have asked him to do a job hes perhaps not used to, just playing on the last man, and waiting for his team mates to find him, and when he gets it, we all know the end results. 13 goals in 13 starts speaks for itself. This is only the beginning though, there is much, much more to come.'

James Ward-Prowse has impressed his manager and fans alike. How long until an England call up comes begging?














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[mullan_j]

December

Hull 0 - 3 Southampton
Lambert(2), Ince

Southampton 1 - 0 Stoke
Ince

West Brom 0 - 1 Southampton
Lambert

Southampton 2 - 4 Tottenham - Capital One Cup Qtr Final
Colclough, Rowe

'We went out today to a very experienced Tottenham side, our young lads have performed extremely well to reach this far and i am proud of them. I fully expect this Tottenham side to go on and win this tournament'

Southampton 1 - 2 Arsenal
Lambert

Fulham 0 - 1 Southampton
Colclough

Southampton 1 - 1 Newcastle
Clyne


With the busy christmas period out of the way we now enter the january transfer window. With all eyes on Jack Mullan to see what business he will be looking to do now.

'I have a couple of players i would like to add to my squad as every manager does. But whether these are possible, its too early. We will have to wait and see.'


January

Man City 2 - 2 Southampton
Rodriguez, Lambert

Southampton 0 - 1 Liverpool - FA Cup 3rd Round

'We were desperately unlucky, we have put out a young side who i feel can compete, Liverpool have put out a side to go and win this cup. I think that says it all'

Southampton 6 - 4 Everton
Lallana, Hughes, Shaw, Ward-Prowse, Colclough, Seager

Southampton 1 - 0 Cardiff
Colclough

Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Southampton
Cork, Ince
--- Mullan Named Manager of the Month ---

'Credit shouldnt go to me. Its the players who go out there every week and work hard. These recent results have shown how good they are, and what they can achieve'


--- Transfer Window Closed ---

It was a quiet transfer window for Southampton where not a single piece of business was done. Interest in young toffee Ross Barkley was expressed as well as a bid for Nathan Redmond rejected. It is thought that Mullan was close to allowing Gaston Ramirez to leave for Liverpool, however the mersyside club were not willing to meet Mullans valuation of the player.

Southampton find themselves sitting in 8th place with 11 games remaining. If they can keep up current form there is no reason why they cannot made a push for European football.​

 

[St Requiem]

Nice Going so far, risky move getting rid of some of Saints top players ( especially Morgan Schneiderlin Player of the season for us last year) but you are doing well!​

Interested to know what tactic your using with the team you have?

Gonna be starting a Saints game myself but keep the likes of Wanyama and co.

 

[mersk]

Looks like an exciting season, only 5 points differing the teams from 2nd to 8th.

 

[XeNoNF50]

I'm 5 seasons in my save, Morgan Schneiderlin becomes one of the best centre mids in the game. Massive loss if you get rid btw.

 

[collerz]

I am thinking about doing a southampton file also, to get used to the new game. Not sure what formation to use and in previous games I preferred pacey strikers which southampton lack. Might try a 3-4-1-2 like Rodgers uses at Liverpool, not sure how hard it will be to pull off though.

 

[mullan_j]

Could this be moved to the stories section pls ??

Thanks in advanced.

Final set of results and end of season review will be up later tonight.

 

[mullan_j]

February

Norwich 0 - 0 Southampton

Southampton 2 - 1 West Ham
Ward-Prowse, Tomkins

Southampton 2 - 1 Aston Villa
Ward-Prowse, Lambert

Tottenham 2 - 1 Southampton
Hughes

March

Sunderland 0 - 1 Southampton
Rowe

Southampton 2 - 1 Chelsea
Ramirez, Lambert

Southampton 3 - 0 Liverpool
Ramirez, Lallana, Rodriguez

Manchester United 3 - 0 Southampton

Southampton 2 - 1 Hull
Seager, Colclough

April

Swansea 2 - 2 Southampton
Seager, Lallana

Stoke 2 - 0 Southampton

Southampton 2 - 3 West Brom
Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez

Arsenal 2 - 2 Southampton
Ince, Hughes

May

Southampton 3 - 1 Fulham
Ince, Lambert, Rodriguez

Newcastle 2 - 2 Southampton
Lallana, Seager



--- Season Review To Follow ---​

 

[mullan_j]

League Table

--- Southampton Finish 7th in Premier League ---

'We had an excellent season. I dont think anyone expected us to do this well. As a management team and as a squad we fully believed that we could do this. We see the ability of the players day in day out and we know how good they are.'


--- Rickie Lambert Awarded Golden Boot with 15 Goals ---

--- Rickie Lambert Named in Premier League Team of the Season ---

'Rickie has had an amazing season. Not only in front of goal but his all round contribution. He has stepped up to the mark and has set the level for all of our players to aim for'

Jack Mullans debut season as a Premier League manager has been one of extreme highs. He has changed his squad around, bringing in his own young players and an attacking brand of football with young english talent which we are all pleased to see.

'Its a great start, but this is just the beginning. There are a couple of players i have my eye on over the summer. We also have to address some issues within the club. As good as we are going forward, we need to tighten up at the back. Yes, we are young, but we should still be defending properly. So things will be looked at'

It is believed that Mullan is looking at two london born players, currently plying there trade in Wales to add to his squad



​

 

[LovanoFM]

Shouldn't this be in the Stories section? pm a mod with the link and they will do it good start btw

 

[mullan_j]

With the new season about to begin, eyes turn to Saints manager Jack Mullan who once again has been busy in hte transfer market, adding to his squad a number of young english talents.

He moved quickly to secure the signature of Steven Caulker for ?14.5 million. He then completed the signings of Jonjo Shelvey and Nathan Redmond for ?8 million. Mullans final piece of buisiness was to strengthen his goalkeeping options. Jason Steele and Sam Johnstone were both brought to Southampton, with Johnstone sent out on loan to gain some game time.

Leaving the club were Gaston Ramirez, Victor Wanyama, Pablo Osvaldo and Lovren for significant fees.

'With these players arriving, the final pieces of this puzzle are now coming together. I believe we have a squad to be challenging on all fronts now, and these lads will only get better. I have complete faith in these boys, and we are all aiming towards the same goal.'

'We managed to get good offers for a number of players and it allowed us to invest in other areas of the pitch. Some eye-brows were raised as to why we allowed Gaston to leave, but once he was aware of the interested he asked to leave the club, and i did not want it to upset the squad.'​

 

[mullan_j]

Save got deleted by mistake. Gonna start a new one later.

Will be starting a new story along with it. Any recommendations or changes?

Thoughts?

 

[The Ice Man]

Liked this idea. Maybe try a different team? Would love to see you try it with Aston Villa.

 

[mullan_j]

If im honest, i want to keep with southampton, as they have a number of good youngsters in Shaw,Chambers, Clyne, Ward-Prowse, Seager, Rodriguez. As well as having big names players that can be sold for good prices, schneiderlin, ramirez etc.

everything set up to be a dominent side, facilities, money. just annoyed i lost the save, gonna adjust a few things i wish i had done differently.

 

[Sherkey]

If im honest, i want to keep with southampton, as they have a number of good youngsters in Shaw,Chambers, Clyne, Ward-Prowse, Seager, Rodriguez. As well as having big names players that can be sold for good prices, schneiderlin, ramirez etc.

everything set up to be a dominent side, facilities, money. just annoyed i lost the save, gonna adjust a few things i wish i had done differently.

I agree with that. They're a really good squad to be managing. You might also try to take on Liverpool, and try and take them to glory. I've heard that's very tough in FM. Dortmund is another fantastic side to manage. A bit low on money, but awesome choice for a long term save.