The Young Saints: A Southampton Story

[Sam91]

Birch Replaces Pochettino

Southampton have today released a statement announcing the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino. Chairman Cortese cited personal reasons for Pochettino's departure, also mentioning his failure to grasp the English ''Lifestyle''.

Replacing Pochettino will be former Chelsea Youth Coach Sam Birch. Birch has a growing reputation in the game with the media praising him for the Chelsea Youth Teams recent success in the FA Youth Cup winning the competition two years on the bounce. This is a much bigger step up though but he has a great, young squad to work with. He'll have to try and keep hold of Morgan Schneiderlin and Luke Shaw who are both attracting interest from big sides in England.
​

 

[Sam91]

August and Transfers

Only sign two players but sell plenty
First game of the season againt City...
Progress in the Capital One Cup



Transfers

So a boring window in terms of bringing people in. I was only given ?6m to spend and blew most of it on a right winger which was by far our weakest area. I agreed a deal for a young Argentine winger Rodrigo Gomez but the lad failed to get a work permit so I settled for Cerci. I also loaned in Rugani who chose United over us when I tried to sign him earlier in the window. Leaving us was a number of fringe players and some younger lads on a loan deal, most notably Lloyd Isgrove who, if has a decent loan spell, could have a bright future.

Here's the two new lads though:

Alessio Cerci

A tricky looking winger who can hopefully supply Rickie Lambert with some decent crosses!


Daniele Rugani

Really wish I got this lad on a permanent deal!! Looks like he could become a great little player but I will have to settle for a loan deal for now!!


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League


Southampton 0 - 1 Manchester City


Disappointing start to the league campaign but against City a one nil loss isn't the worst result ever!! Shame we had 6 shots but none on target.



Fulham 1 - 2 Southampton

Lambert(2)

Nice little win away from home here. Fulham took the lead but a quickfire double from big Rickie gave us a lead and we held on with ease and controlled the rest of the game. Good win after that loss to City.


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Capital One Cup


Southampton 2 - 0 Walsall

Osvaldo, Mantom OG

Easy win here against League One side Walsall. Osvaldo netting his first goal for the club is nice to see. I managed to give some of the youger lads a run out here along with the fringe players like Danny Fox.


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Monthly Review


Not the best start to the league with that loss to City but what do you expect!! Decent win over Fulham though away from home and nice to see Lambert netting a brace as well. He bossed that match and hopefully I can finally have one of Southampton's strikers perform for me.

Tidy win over Walsall too with the likes of Callum Chambers, Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse coming in and impressing too.



Player of the Month

Rickie Lambert

Big Rickie's performance against Fulham was immense, hopefully he can boss more games like that and lead the line well this year. He's got strong competition with Osvaldo and Jay Rod snapping to get a chance up there.



Table

Doesn't mean too much right now with us playing a game less than most other teams. Everton are off to a bit of a shocker though!!
​

 

[Rootsey]

Glad to see you back mate, your stories are so easy to read.

Good luck with the saints.

 

[Sam91]

Glad to see you back mate, your stories are so easy to read.

Good luck with the saints.

Cheers mate good to be back missed FM and the site!!

Thanks think its going to be more difficult for me with FM14 than in previous FM's but I'm loving it so far

 

[White army]

good luck with the saints...have a kinda soft spot for them as i am managing them on fm13 still and have been there for 8 years now and have won the europe leage 3 times back to back and now the champions league back to back and numours other trophies but not won thr prem yet

 

[Sam91]

good luck with the saints...have a kinda soft spot for them as i am managing them on fm13 still and have been there for 8 years now and have won the europe leage 3 times back to back and now the champions league back to back and numours other trophies but not won thr prem yet

Yeah I had an incredible save with them in FM12, failed to settle with anyone in 13 though!! Thats decent mate!! I always find the league easier than cups myself

 

[Sam91]

September 2013

Great month of results until the final two games
Rickie Lambert can't stop scoring
Lallana out for four weeks


League


Southampton 1 - 0 Tottenham

Lambert

What a brilliant match this was!! Spurs dominated us but we held firm and were rewarded when Cerci was hacked down in the box and big Rickie stepped up and made no mistake dispatching it. Wanyama was then sent off with 15 minutes left to go but we managed to see it out and get a well earned 3 points!



Aston Villa 1 - 2 Southampton

Lambert(2)

Rickie Lambert has carried us so far this season!! It seems he's the only player actually performing well apart from Clyne maybe. But he netted a double, one of them another penalty when he was fouled by the keeper. Good job he scored it too as Benteke got one back deep into injury time.



Southampton 3 - 1 Hull City

Cerci, Lambert, Osvaldo

A much better team performance here and Cerci netting his first goal for the club too. Lambert scored his third penalty of the month and Osvaldo grabbed one late on in a dominant win.



Norwich 2 - 1 Southampton

Osvaldo

It seems if Rickie Lambert doesn't turn up we don't. He was off the boil here and the team struggled, Norwich netting a quick fire double early on. We were better in the second half with Osvaldo getting one back, Cerci hit the bar late on but the best team won really.


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Capital One Cup


Southampton 0 - 1 Millwall


We go crashing out of the League cup after an awful performance here. Millwall grabbed a late winner, we simply couldn't finish. Millwall had just ONE shot on target but made it count.


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Monthly Review


I'll count it as a decent month that especially that win over Spurs, shows we can mix it with the big boys when we play well. Wanyama has been a huge disappointment since joining and we seem to play better when he's out of the side and James Ward-Prowse is in it. I'm not too bothered about going out of the League Cup, it was more of a distraction as I'd rather try and get a Europa League spot in the League this year than try and win a cup. The three attacking midfielders have all been a bit disappointing with Gaston Ramirez being a huge let down this year, Cerci is a bit hot and cold with his performances and I'm failing to make either Osvaldo and Jay Rod into an effective left winger. The sooner Lallana is back from his injury the better I think.



Player of the Month

Rickie Lambert

Gotta be big Rickie really. Blokes smashed in 6 goals in 6 league games so far this season!!


Table

Up to 6th but just look at Palace!!! Amazing stuff from them. West Ham look in real trouble losing all 6 games so far this season.

​

 

[White army]

Yeah I have a Blackburn save and pocchitino got sacked In March 2016 I was offered interview and took it saved them from relegation and am now 8th in November. ...hope u do great

 

[Sam91]

Yeah I have a Blackburn save and pocchitino got sacked In March 2016 I was offered interview and took it saved them from relegation and am now 8th in November. ...hope u do great

Niiice!! Shocked they were nearly relegated, they have a decent squad and you always seem to get a decent bit of money with them too.

Yeah I hope so, its my first FM14 save so I don't really know all the wonderkids like in previous FM's so should be fun

 

[Mr_Grieves]

YES!!!!! Go for it Sam! Great to the see the Soton save under way!

 

[Sam91]

October 2013

Just three league games this month, including a clash with United
Rickie Lambert continues his hot streak
Osvaldo and Wanyama improve but Schneiderlin could be off in January..



League


Southampton 3 - 1 Swansea

Lambert(2), Osvaldo

A very straight forward win, Lambert scoring after 32 seconds and notching a second in the 23rd minute. Swansea got one back but Osvaldo netted late on to make things comfortable. Solid win.



Sunderland 1 - 2 Southampton

Lambert(2)

What a brillliant match this was, either team could have won it and I'd have to say we robbed Sunderland a bit here. Was tight at the end but a long ball forward found Osvaldo who headed it into the patch of Lambert who rounded the keeper and slotted home, I actually fist pumped when it happened!!



Manchester United 3 - 0 Southampton


Back to Earth with a huge bump here. If we'd have won we would have gone top but we were totally outclassed here and shows we are a few years away from being a top, top team.


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Monthly Review


Not a bad month by any means but that loss to United has left a sour taste in my mouth. We were brilliant against Swansea and showed great character in the Sunderland match to grab a win like that but I can't help but feel Lambert, Wanyama and Osvaldo are the only players to have actually played well so far this season. Schneiderlin has been dreadful and has two months to impress me otherwise he's being sold which will free up some funds for me to make some improvements to the team. I'm in need of a centre back as Lovren has been average and lacks a decent partner with Fonte and Yoshida both pretty poor and Jack Stephens is too young right now. Loanee Rugani is only with us till January, plus Moyes gave me an earful this month for not playing him enough (nice feature they've added this year).



Player of the Month

Pablo Osvaldo

Much better month from him, a constant threat cutting in from the left and grabbing a few assists too.



Table

Very tight from second down to ninth. Some strange teams up at the top. West Ham, Sunderland and Cardiff look to be in real trouble.
​

 

[minergy]

Awesome start mate, will be following.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[pompey forever99]

Hi Sam nice to see you back again i took a break myself... Disappointed to see youve picked the scummers again haha but i'll be following as always mate Good Luck !

 

[Sam91]

Hi Sam nice to see you back again i took a break myself... Disappointed to see youve picked the scummers again haha but i'll be following as always mate Good Luck !

Ha thanks mate, needed a bit of time away after two years of it!! Haha I do apologise mate but you know I have a soft spot for them might do a Pompey save next though in the summer.

 

[pompey forever99]

Ha thanks mate, needed a bit of time away after two years of it!! Haha I do apologise mate but you know I have a soft spot for them might do a Pompey save next though in the summer.

yh same mate i was joking tho lol but would love a Pompey one i started one this year started off really well then not many people followed and i lost interest and got bit bored of FM aswell but back playing and enjoying it now might carry it on one day

 

[Sam91]

November 2013

Tough month of games
Stunning result against Chelsea
Brenden Rodgers first manager sacked



League


Southampton 2 - 2 Everton

Schneiderlin, Lambert

A real back and forth game, Everton took the lead but Morgan Schneiderlin got us one back. Lambert gave us the lead after the break, Mirallas levelled for Everton in the 75th minute. A draw was probably a fair result really.



Southampton 3 - 0 Chelsea

Rodriguez, Davis(2)

What a win and what a performance from the lads. Jay Rod came off the bench and netted quickly, then to my own surprise Steven Davis scored a late brace to put a real shine on the result. Chelsea are in big trouble this season though and Jose Mourinho is close to losing his job.



Arsenal 2 - 1 Southampton

Lallana

Not as close as it looks really, Arsenal were always in control. Good for Lallana to come off the bench and get his first goal of the season, the lads had a horrible run of injuries but we look a much better side with him playing.



Southampton 2 - 1 West Brom

Lambert, Osvaldo

Great win after the loss to Arsenal. Fell behind after Shane Long scored just after Half Time. But Lambert got one back quickly and Osvaldo scored a real poachers effort with 9 minutes left.


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Monthly Review


So a difficult month of games with Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal all stern tests and West Brom are no push overs. We didn't disgrace ourselves at all though and the Chelsea game was a real confidence boost. Its a shame the league's so crazy with Fulham and Palace really shocking everyone so far this year and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool struggling massively. We're still keeping up with everyone though and I'm hoping for 7th or higher at the minute, it could be a hugely interesting season though if the likes of Fulham, Palace and Newcastle keep upsetting everyone!!



Player of the Month

Luke Shaw

The young left back has had a superb month winning the BPL Young Player of the Month award too.



Table

Just ten points separate 1st from 9th. Fulham are really surprising everyone, who knows whats going to happen this year with the league!!​

 

[Sumner_05]

Decent start to league had a lot of fun doing southampton save myself

 

[Sam91]

Decent start to league had a lot of fun doing southampton save myself

Yeah they're my favourite team to manager update in a bit guys

 

[Sam91]

December 2013

Busy Christmas period means major squad rotations
James Ward-Prowse has a phenomenal month
Board offer me a new contract, which I accept



League


Crystal Palace 1 - 5 Southampton

Lambert, Osvaldo(2), Fonte, Cerci

Brilliant match!! Scoring 5 goals in 21 minutes is pretty impressive if you ask me. The subs made a huge difference as you can see, brilliant come back.



Southampton 2 - 0 Stoke

Osvaldo, Lambert

Nice straight forward win here, Osvaldo and Lambert both netting in the first half. Osvaldo has really settled well now and has nailed down the LW role.



West Ham 2 - 3 Southampton

Ward-Prowse, Cerci, Osvaldo

Great match, Morrison scored an absolute screamer early on but goals from JWP, Cerci and Osvaldo before half time gave us a nice lead in the game. We controlled the game before Nolan netted late on for a nervy end but all in all a decent performance and win by the lads.



Cardiff 0 - 2 Southampton

Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez

Strugglers Cardiff put up a decent fight until JWP gave us the lead in the 63rd minute with a tidy finish. Jay Rod netted late on to make in comfortable.



Southampton 1 - 0 Newcastle

Osvaldo

Very tight game this, but young man Jake Sinclair became a hero when he jinked past Haidara and drilled a superb cross in for Osvaldo tap home with ten minutes left!!! We held on just for a big win.



Liverpool 1 - 2 Southampton

Ramirez, Ward-Prowse

WHAT A COMEBACK!! Had to rest a nuber of a key players too like Lovern, Shaw, Clyne, Wanyama, Schneiderlin and Lallana and when we fell behind just after half-time I feared the worst but Ramirez scored the equaliser after the ball bounced around in the box a lot, then that man James Ward-Prowse who's had what could be a career defining month burst through the Liverpool defence and finished like Ronaldo to give us the win!!



Southampton 2 - 0 Fulham

Lambert, Osvaldo

We round off this perfect month with a solid win over fellow high flyers Fulham. They looked pretty ordinary and have slipped off the pace a bit lately as have Newcastle and Fulham, the league's starting to take shape but we're still right in the mix after a superb month.


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Monthly Review


What a fantastic month, it could have killed our season if we'd have struggled but the lads all turned up finally and what a run of results. It wont last that's for sure but for the likes of Schneiderlin, Osvaldo and Ramirez to finally start playing like we all know they can in such a key part of the season has made a huge difference. James Ward-Prowse though had one of the best months I've ever seen a player have, netting his first goal for the club and then scoring another two and bagging numerous assists playing in that number 10 role he's forced Lallana into the wide positions or even the bench at times!!!

In other news I signed a new contract, but haven't been given any more funds for signings in January so I doubt that they'll be any signings. I renewed Rugani's loan deal though extending it until the end of the season as he's forged a superb partnership with Lovern at the back.



Player of the Month

James Ward-Prowse

Amazing month from the youngster, came third in the BPL Player of the Month and won BPL Young Player of the Month. This kids going to be class.



Table

Yup we're top going into 2014!!! United have two games in hand over us though and I can see a number of the bigger clubs strengthening this month, something we can't do. I might hunt around for some loan deals though. I beginning to think top 4 might just be in our reach with Chelsea and Arsenal in particular struggling massively this year.​

 

[gospodini]

Awesome save and great management of my favorite team!

Can you share some insight into the tactics that you are employing with this squad?