The Story Of Sam Birch - A Legend In The Making

[Sam91]

March

Okay youth intake, no-one to get excited about
Saints smash Fulham in Capital One Cup Final
Extra Time needed to separate Saints and Lokomotiv Moscow
Going strong in FA Cup
Race for 4th hots up between us and Spurs


League


Fulham 0 - 4 Southampton

Doumbia(2), Oscar, Fierro



Southampton 2 - 2 Arsenal

Oscar, Fierro

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Southampton 1 - 1 Manchester United

Ocampos

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Capital One Cup Final


Fulham 1 - 4 Southampton

Hangeland OG, De Bruyne(2), Lallana

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FA Cup


Southampton 2 - 0 Newcastle

De Bruyne, Lallana



West Ham 1 - 2 Southampton

Bertoli, De Bruyne




Europa League


Southampton 2 - 1 Lokomotiv Moscow

Lallana, Doumbia




Lokomotiv Moscow 2 - 3 Southampton
Saints win 5-3 on agg AET

Fierro(2), Bertoli

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Monthly Review

BANG!! That match against Lokomotiv was insane, what a comeback from the lads and Bertoli stamping himself into every Saints supporters heart with that goal. Elsewhere we're going strong in the FA Cup, the league is really hotting up. We're well out of the title race but well in with a chance of 4th!! Had my first month as Belgium manager too against Japan. The Arsenal match was disappointing as we were so close to 3 points. The United match was tight but I was happy to walk away with a point.



Player of the Month

Oscar

Creating loads and smashed in a few too



Table

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So close!!! And if we win our 2 games in hand we do indeed go 4th. Going to be a thrilling end to the season



Belgium


Belgium 4 - 2 Japan

Lukaku(2), Mirallas(2)

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Good game, disappointed to concede two late goals like that but still a win against a Japan side ranked about 20 places above us.

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[SammyJH94]

Good month there mate could i see a SS of your starting eleven by any chance as im interested to see with all those great players?..

 

[Sam91]

Good month there mate could i see a SS of your starting eleven by any chance as im interested to see with all those great players?..

Sure thing buddy, Ocampos and De Bruyne rotate normally as do Taiwo and Luke Shaw. Niang normally starts ahead of Doumbia but it depends on opposition and fitness

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[Sam91]

April

Perfect league form as Saints look ever more likely to be playing Champions League football next year
Crash out of Europa League and FA Cup
Caulker wins POTM and Butland wins YPOTM



League



Sunderland 0 - 2 Southampton

Fierro, Lallana




West Ham 0 - 2 Southampton

Fierro, Caulker




Southampton 2 - 0 Wolves

Caulker, Niang




Everton 0 - 3 Southampton

De Bruyne, Niang, Frimpong

View attachment 269886


Southampton 4 - 0 Burnley

Ocampos(2), Niang, Shackell OG



FA Cup


Manchester United 2 - 1 Southampton

Doumbia

View attachment 269888



Europa League


Southampton 2 - 1 Liverpool

Doumbia, Ocampos





Liverpool 1 - 0 Southampton
Liverpool win on Away Goals

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Monthly Review


Heartbreaking stuff in the Europa League. Away ****** goals, never mind not everything can go your way in this game and we've had our fair share of luck this season. Also United sent us packing in the FA Cup semi's, they're team is awesome though. Perfect league form though as we didn't leak a single goal all month, fairly easy games though and I'd expect us to win all of them and we did. Ocampos' league form has been sensational during the back end of the season.

Carlos Fierro is favourite for PFA Player of the Year too apparently.

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Player of the Month

Steven Caulker

Could have gone to Butland but Steven's goals and solid performances helped us this month



Table and Remaining Fixtures

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So all winnable games apart from the Chelsea match, but hopefully we'll have a top 4 spot secured by then.

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[bigtukker]

Well Chelsea doesn't seem to be in form, so why wouldn't you be able to win that too

 

[Sam91]

Well Chelsea doesn't seem to be in form, so why wouldn't you be able to win that too

Yeah but they still have a quality side and smashed me 4-1 earlier in the season

 

[Sam91]

May - Up to last game of the season

Saints secure Champions League football for next season
Brilliant comeback against Swansea
Reading and Villa brushed aside with ease



League


Swansea 2 - 4 Southampton

Niang(2), Lallana, Frimpong

View attachment 269926



Southampton 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Doumbia(2)




Southampton 3 - 0 Reading

Caulker, Fierro, Niang




Monthly Review


Now I bet you're all wondering why I've only posted up to before the last game of the season, this is why...

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United have dropped some serious points this month!!! Now I'll show you the table, this is crazy I literally can't believe it..

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HOLY SHITBALLS. We're top, 1 point clear of United and 3 clear of Arsenal so there are 3 teams in the mix for the title. The final fixtures of the season for us three are as follows:


Southampton vs Chelsea

Arsenal vs Wolves

Manchester United vs Norwich



Now you'd have to say Arsenal and United are hot favourites for there games, United recently beat Norwich in the FA Cup Final 4-0. Arsenal have a quality side and at The Emirates you'd always back them. Now us against Chelsea... they smashed us 4-1 earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge BUT last season we beat them 6-1 twice!! It really could go either way guys. I'm off to bed now (its 06:00am) I work nights so I'm gonna have a sleep then play the last game in what could be a historic season for the Saints.


Thanks for reading guys, let me know what you think.

Can we do it?? Can I win Southampton there first Premier League title ever?




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[Greggylad]

OOh, Very well done mate good luck with the last game

 

[Sam91]

Final Day of the Season

So its come, the final day of the season. A three way battle for the Premier League trophy. The Saints face a Chelsea side that still has plenty of quality but have fallen well short of expectations this season. Manchester United face Norwich and Arsenal face Wolves. Lets remind ourselves of how the league table is looking..

View attachment 270068


A win would seal the title for The Saints, a draw wouldn't be enough if United beat Norwich.


Manchester United 4 - 0 Norwich

Welbeck, Rooney, Cleverley, Valencia




Arsenal 6 - 0 Wolves

Baines, Kalou, Nelson Oliveira, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mertesacker, Ramsey




I had to win, I didn't know it before the game but both teams quickly took the lead so I knew whilst watching our match that we had to win.




Southampton vs Chelsea

View attachment 270075

8 mins: M'Baye Niang fires in from the edge of the box to give Southampton the lead!!!


22 mins: Juan Mata equalises for Chelsea!! A real poachers goal.


HALF TIME SCORE 1-1

As it stands Southampton will finish 2nd


52 mins: Chelsea break away from a corner and Romelu Lukaku is clean through..... MAKES NO MISTAKE 2-1 Chelsea


58 mins: Taye Taiwo has gone down injured, no Luke Shaw on the bench as he's on international duty. He has to come off looks like a torn calf, Southampton switch to a 3-2-3-1. They're really going to go for this!!


63 mins: Oscar has the ball, spreads it out wide to Lallana who is in bags of space, smashes it Turnbull fumbles the ball and Ramires goes to clear it... OH MY GOD HE'S PUT IT INTO HIS OWN NET!! 2-2 and Southampton need just 1 more goal to win the title!!

94 mins: And that's the full-time whistle... heartbreak for Southampton, joy for United as they secure the title.


View attachment 270076




Devastated, to come so close and be denied by my team Chelsea... just devastated. But all in all an amazing season, I can't be too hard on the boys as we done so well. Here's the final league table


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PLAYER AWARDS TO FOLLOW, THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS STORY, COMMENTS AND LIKES!


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[COYB55]

well done mate! 2nd is still an ama-zing finish for soton! PLEASE could you check out my west brom story and leave a comment? by the way I'm really enjoying this, KIU! http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...es/104595-thorn-side-big-4-baggies-story.html

 

[Sam91]

Player Awards

PFA Player of the Year

1. Nelson Oliveira
2. Wayne Rooney
3. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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PFA Players' Player of the Year

1. Gareth Bale
2. Luka Modric
3. Sergio Aguero

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Top Goalscorer

1. Nelson Oliveira - 38 Goals!!
2. Carlos Fierro - 26 Goals
3. Wayne Rooney - 25 Goals

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PFA Young Player of the Year

1. M'Baye Niang
2. Danny Welbeck
3. Jack Wilshere

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Goal of the Season

1. Ivan Rakitic - Chelsea (vs Aston Villa)
2. Emmanuel Frimpong - Southampton (vs Everton)
3. Nathan Delfouneso - Aston Villa (vs Arsenal)

View attachment 270095


Manager of the Year

1. Andre Villas Boas
2. Sam Birch
3. Mike Phelan

View attachment 270100


Team of the Year

View attachment 270101


Niang, Fierro and Lallana on the bench.



So not too bad in the awards, annoying that none of my lads were involved in the Player of the Year or Players' Player. Nelson Oliveira's goal scoring form was crazy!!!


Southampton Player Awards


Player of the Season

1. Carlos Fierro
2. Adam Lallana
3. M'Baye Niang

View attachment 270139


Young Player of the Season

1. Carlos Fierro
2. M'Baye Niang
3. Luke Shaw



Breakthrough Player of the Season

Lucas Ocampos

View attachment 270142




In Other News...

Chelsea win Champions League Final

View attachment 270144

Arsene Wenger takes over Atletico Madrid
Daniel Sturridge wants to leave Chelsea.. Southampton and Juventus favourites to sign him
Eden Hazard and Ivan Rakitic unhappy at Chelsea
Siphiwe Tshabalala set to leave Southampton after spending pretty much all season injured​

 

[clarky1683]

Great story! So unlucky on the last day but you still did great!

Would you mind checking out my story? Here's a link to it: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2012-stories/104443-seaside-story-blackpool.html

 

[antwalk9]

Really enjoying the story mate. Ur doing amazing with Southampton. I started a game with them last week n am currently 4th in 1st season going into march only 6 points behind man city at top. Are u gonna be putting ur save up cos I'd love to have a gander at ur game. KIU will keep following this amazing story

 

[Sam91]

Great story! So unlucky on the last day but you still did great!

Would you mind checking out my story? Here's a link to it: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2012-stories/104443-seaside-story-blackpool.html

Thanks mate, just so annoying coming so ****** close!!

Of course man I'll give it a read now

 

[Sam91]

Really enjoying the story mate. Ur doing amazing with Southampton. I started a game with them last week n am currently 4th in 1st season going into march only 6 points behind man city at top. Are u gonna be putting ur save up cos I'd love to have a gander at ur game. KIU will keep following this amazing story

Ta pal, wow thats immense I got no where near the top in my first season!!

 

[clarky1683]

Thanks mate, just so annoying coming so ****** close!!

Of course man I'll give it a read now

Thanks a lot

 

[antwalk9]

Really enjoying the story mate. Ur doing amazing with Southampton. I started a game with them last week n am currently 4th in 1st season going into march only 6 points behind man city at top. Are u gonna be putting ur save up cos I'd love to have a gander at ur game. KIU will keep following this amazing story

Ta pal, wow thats immense I got no where near the top in my first season!!

Been using 4-1-2-3 unbeatable by hazza with del piero(free) guidetti(loan) n Rochina(725k) up front. Made a few of the same signings u made I.e. caulker on loan n huddlestone £3m also got butland albeit for £13m but he's doing a great job. Del piero is top scorer with 14gls/20games. Not bad for a 37yo veteran in prem. got knocked out of both cups tho but that's let me concentrate everything on league

 

[Sam91]

Ta pal, wow thats immense I got no where near the top in my first season!!

Been using 4-1-2-3 unbeatable by hazza with del piero(free) guidetti(loan) n Rochina(725k) up front. Made a few of the same signings u made I.e. caulker on loan n huddlestone £3m also got butland albeit for £13m but he's doing a great job. Del piero is top scorer with 14gls/20games. Not bad for a 37yo veteran in prem. got knocked out of both cups tho but that's let me concentrate everything on league

Ahh cool, Caulker is an animal. Huddlestone was **** for me.

I always use my own tactic, might not be as good but I just prefer it

 

[Sam91]

Pre Season

Saints make waves in the transfer market
Cavani and Ibrahimovic join
Jack Cork, James Tomkins and Doumbia leave
Brazil win World Cup


Transfer News

View attachment 270340

Ins

Some massive signings for us this window. Cavani and Ibra obviously the big ones, will rotate with Fierro and Niang up top. Also they give us some much needed Champions League experience and quality. Next I boosted our backline with the signings of Gary Cahill, Sebastian Coates and Kurt Zouma. We struggled when one of our centre backs got injured last year so I added some much needed depth and quality too.

Next I snapped up some regens mainly from Germany, and mostly defensive. All quite cheap and all with good potential, most were loaned out. Rodrigo looks quality bagged him last year and he's now finally joined up. Here's screenie's of them.

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Outs

The main surprise on the leaving list might be Jack Cork. I sold him because well I got a good price, he wasn't going to be a starter and I want to give James Ward-Prowse a chance. James had a good loan spell last season at Livingston and deserves a shot at being Oscar's deputy. Doumbia also left because I snapped up Ibra and Cavani. As did Bill Barrett who I singed for £500k and sold for £2.7 with a clause of any profit I get 30% of. Ole Petersen left for a good fee considering I got him for free. Yaya Sanogo left for Forest for a profit again plus sell-on clause. All the others on the list left on loan for experience or they weren't good enough. Roberto Firmino left for just £3.2m after his disaster with us 2 seasons ago and a bad loan spell with Fiorentina.



Other News

Carlos Fierro was named last seasons Player of the Year, Brazil won the World Cup, Roy Hodgson retired and Stuart Pearce took over England. Neymar joined Man City.

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Southamptons First Team 2014/2015 Season

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Goalkeepers

Jack Butland / Sam Garvey(regen)

Butlands the number 1 without a doubt, but Sam Garvey is a decent keeper in his own right. Signed for £60k 2 seasons ago he's now worth near £500k. Will play Capital One Cup games.


Central Defenders

Steven Caulker / Gary Cahill / Sebastian Coates / Kurt Zouma

All top quality defenders. Caulkers been with us for many years now, the others were signed this summer. Steven Caulker is also vice-captain and an England International.



Right Backs

Nathaniel Clyne / David Maclennan(regen)

Clyne's bee first choice RB for 3 years now and is very reliable, David Maclennan was signed last season and can play anywhere along the backline. Huge help and a good player himself.


Left Backs

Luke Shaw / Taye Taiwo

Luke Shaw came into his own last year, really coming along well and will be first choice this season. Taye Taiwo has been playing for us for 2 years now I think and has been world class, signed for £2.6m he was a bargain.


Central Midfielders

Jack Beckham(regen) / Emmanuel Frimpong / Oscar / James Ward-Prowse / Thorgan Hazard

Jack Beckham came through our youth system and has slipped right into the first team at the tender age of 15 two years ago, been our first choice BWM for 2 years now and will remain for many years to come. Frimpong has been his deputy/rotation and has done well himself. Oscar joined in January from Chelsea and was awesome, Ward-Prowse will be his back up and hopefully can shine himself this year. Thorgan Hazard was signed at a snip from Chelsea and played really well before having injury problems last year.


Right Wing

Kevin De Bruyne / Callum Chambers

Kevin De Bruyne was singed from Chelsea and has been massively impressive constantly a threat from the right side and can smash them in too. Callum Chambers spent last year at Watford and did okay, will be De Bruyne's back up.


Left Wing

Adam Lallana / Lucas Ocampos

Lallana has been simply awesome, the best player over the past 3 seasons without a doubt, team captain too and has provided a ridiculous amount of assists. Lucas Ocampos came into his own in the last 5 months of the season and is developing really well can also play on the right wing perfectly fine.


Strikers

Carlos Fierro / M'Baye Niang / Zlatan Ibrahimovic / Edison Cavani

All four are incredible players. Cavani and Ibra everyone knows. Fierro was incredible last season and Niang was equally immense. Should be plenty of goals with a front line of this.


If anybody wants screen shots of any player please feel free to ask
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[Sam91]

August

Fierro shows Saints that he's still the best man up top
Thriller at the Eithad
Heartbreak once again in the Community Shield




League


Manchester City 3 - 4 Southampton

Fierro(3), Coates

View attachment 270374



Southampton 2 - 2 Fulham

Fierro(2)

View attachment 270375





Community Shield


Manchester United 2 2 Southampton
United win 5-4 on pens

Fierro, Coates

View attachment 270376



Monthly Review


Mixed month. Annoying to lose on pens in the Shield. We were 3-0 up against City after 32 mins and nearly threw it away!!! Coates the hero again though, he's showing me that I made the perfect choice replacing Tomkins with him. The Fulham match was back and forth, a draw was probably the fair result.

The Capital One Cup draw was not kind with Chelsea our opponents, away too. But the Champions League maybe a bit kinder.

View attachment 270377

Okay it was always going to be tough being seeded 3rd, but Shakhtar are beatable!! Maybe not Madrid though...


Player of the Month

Carlos Fierro

Do I really need to say why??


Table

View attachment 270378


Belgium


Belgium 5 - 0 Norway

Lukaku(3), De Bruyne, Alderweireld



Belgium 2 - 2 Columbia

Mirallas(2)



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