The Young Saints: A Southampton Story

[AndySams10]

Well done mate, fantastic first half of the season. Keep up the good work.

 

[Sam91]

Well done mate, fantastic first half of the season. Keep up the good work.

Thanks mate, I know we've claimed some great scalpes hopefully they continue too!!

Awesome save and great management of my favorite team!

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

Sure mate here's a screenie of my main tactic I use

And here's the one I use against teams who like to keep the ball a lot i.e Swansea and also sometimes away from home, especially against bigger teams(United, City, Chelsea ect.)

 

[Sam91]

January 2014

Quiet transfer window
Great league form continues
FA Cup kicks off



Transfers


Very quiet transfer window for us, I sold Steven Davis to Everton for just ?2m. I also had a loan offer for Kevin De Bruyne accepted by Chelsea but he turned down coming to us on loan sadly. I did make one signing though, a young Brazilian striker called Gabriel Barbosa who wont join until August this year when he turns 18.

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League


Manchester City 1 - 2 Southampton

Osvaldo, Lambert

A quite stunning win. I don't know why City played Kompany in midfield either, kind of weird. Anyway a first half display of true class won us this game, City had more of the ball and more chances but we still walk away with a famous win.



Tottenham 1 - 1 Southampton

Lambert

Our win streak comes to an end here. Luke Shaw gave away a soft penalty but a great free kick from Lambert got us level in the second half. Cerci hit the bar and Lambert missed a one on one late on in a match we really should have won.



Southampton 4 - 0 Aston Villa

Rodriguez(3), Osvaldo

Great win and a stunning performance by Jay Rod who played up top as Lambert was suspended, he certainly showed me he can do a job up there.


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FA Cup


Third Round

Brentford 1 - 5 Southampton

Lambert(2), Cerci(2), Lovren

We actually fell behind here but a much better second half performance gave us a comfortable win and sends us to the fourth round.



Swansea 0 - 1 Southampton

Osvaldo

An ill tempered match here which would have been tighter if Williams wasn't sent off so early. I'll take it though and we face Wigan in the next round.


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Monthly Review


Another unbeaten month here and the highlight has to be that win over City away from home in the league!! I couldn't believe it, I came back from the kitchen after making a cup of tea to find us 2-0 up!!! We clung on but Lescott's goal made for a nervy final few minutes but its probably the best result I've had all season. The draw against Spurs annoyed me as we should have won, I guess that shows how far we've come this season.

In terms of the players I came close to selling Ramirez but couldn't find anyone too replace him after De Bruyne rejected the loan move so he'll stay till the summer at least. Both Schneiderlin and Lambert have signed new deals too.



Player of the Month

Danny Osvaldo

He's had a great season playing at left wing and scored some really important goals. I honestly wasn't sure how he'd do there but he's been incredible.



Table

Still top :O. Palace are still up there but it looks like its going to be a straight shoot out between us and United for the title at the minute....
​

 

[gospodini]

Still top​

:O

. Palace are still up there but it looks like its going to be a straight shoot out between us and United for the title at the minute....​

Amazing XD

 

[TodayForTomorrow]

great signing in barbosa mate, he becomes an absolute beast!

 

[Ronaldeano]

Good story, Southampton are one of my fave teams to be on FM. So many good young English talent to build around & to see how good they develop is brilliant. Rickie Lambert is a monster for me also but it's a shame that his stats start to decline after
the 1st-2nd season , also Osvaldo did pretty good for me considering he was playing Right Wing for most of the season. Anyway hope you don't mind me sharing some screenshots... Ward-Prowse was my best players as a CM & Lambert up front on his tod.
View attachment 433520View attachment 433517View attachment 433521

Also do you mind telling/linking me to where you downloaded your facepacks if you rememeber where you got them from? Anyway, I'll be following this story with interest good luck

 

[Sam91]

Good story, Southampton are one of my fave teams to be on FM. So many good young English talent to build around & to see how good they develop is brilliant. Rickie Lambert is a monster for me also but it's a shame that his stats start to decline after
the 1st-2nd season , also Osvaldo did pretty good for me considering he was playing Right Wing for most of the season. Anyway hope you don't mind me sharing some screenshots... Ward-Prowse was my best players as a CM & Lambert up front on his tod.
View attachment 468813View attachment 468820View attachment 468811

Also do you mind telling/linking me to where you downloaded your facepacks if you rememeber where you got them from? Anyway, I'll be following this story with interest good luck

Yeah exactly why I love managing them!! I'm shocked at how amazing Lambert has been in all honesty, he's bound to decline in a few years given his age!! Yeah I can imagine Osvaldo was a pretty good RW as an IF as he's left footed I believe? Don't mind you sharing screenies at all mate, amazing what you've done with JWP!!! That many assists is crazy mate!!

Got my facepack from a website called sortitoutsi.net

great signing in barbosa mate, he becomes an absolute beast!

Yeah he looks quite the talent, I was actually going to wait till the summer to sign him but Barca had an offer accepted so I had to get him now!!

 

[Sam91]

February 2014

Shock in the FA Cup
Four simple league games this month
Jose Fonte playing out of his skin for a new contract



League


Hull City 1 - 1 Southampton

Fonte

The beginning of the end for our title challenge? Champions don't drop points against teams placed 18th thats for sure!! We just couldn't convert our chances sadly.



Swansea 1 - 3 Southampton

Cerci, Fonte, Ward-Prowse

Solid win this with the subs once again making a great impact especially Ward-Prowse once again. Shame Lallana got injured yet again and will miss a few weeks.



Southampton 1 - 0 Norwich

Turner OG

Simple straight forward win this, the goal came from good work by Luke Shaw down the left slipping in Osvaldo who drilled the ball across the box and Turner turned it into his own net.



Southampton 5 - 2 Sunderland

Lambert(3), Schneiderlin, Cuellar OG

Crazy game this, seemed everytime I scored they scored in the first half!! Lambert netted a great first half hat-trick here and I told the lads to remain focused at half-time. Schneiderlin gave us some breathing space before a Carlos Cuellar OG settled things in a mad game.


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FA Cup


Fifth Round

Wigan 1 - 0 Southampton


We crash out of the FA Cup here, had tons of chances to get the win but simply couldn't finish our chances!!


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Monthly Review


So in terms of the league it was a decent month bar dropping points against Hull which was totally unacceptable. I was a bit annoyed about crashing out of the FA Cup but at least it gives us a chance to focus on the league. Next month will be the one to determine if we can actually challenge United for the title as we face Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, West Brom and United themselves!!



Player of the Month

Jose Fonte

The big man at the back's contract runs out and the end of the season and I'm in two minds about renewing it as he is 30 and I'm looking at better younger players. But if he can continue this form then I think I'll have to give him an extension!!



Table

Its tight still... the good thing is we've basically secured a Champions League place for next year which is great news for our rep and money wise!!
​

 

[Sam91]

March 2014

A star is born this month with a decent Youth Intake
Drop points in the league but still in touching distance of United
Gaston Ramirez out for 9 months


Youth Intake

My favourite month, youth intake month!!! Got myself a solid little right winger and a right back who doesn't look too bad either. Say hello to Shane Harrop and Thomas Jenkins:

Here's my nippy little right winger who I have high hopes for. Base stats aren't too bad for a 15 year old, we'll see how he develops.

Young Jenkins looks very decent too, has strong competition though with Clyne and Chambers both vying for that right back spot.


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League


Southampton 1 - 1 Manchester United

Lovren

So close..... so close to a win which would have put us top. Rooney robbed us but that's the danger of a one goal lead, especially against Manchester United.



Everton 0 - 1 Southampton

Osvaldo

BOOOOM!! Before this game United dropped points by drawing against Stoke 0-0 so a win would put us top. It was nervy and close but Osvaldo's goal in the 16th minute meant we moved top!!



Chelsea 2 - 0 Southampton


Ouch. Back down to Earth with a huge bump, it was 0-0 a quick double from Eto'o and Lampard after Schneiderlin conceded a cheap peno. We fall back to 2nd.



Southampton 1 - 1 Arsenal

Harrop

How important could young Shane Harrop's late goal be come the end of the season?! I chucked him into the mixer with nothing left to lose and the lad didn't let me down after a mix up in the Arsenal defence saw him break through and power it home into the top corner to save us a point!!



West Brom 1 - 2 Southampton

Ward-Prowse, Lambert

Tight match, JWP gave us the lead by a Clyne OG straight after levelled things. But Rickie Lambert fired in a free kick from 30 yards to give us the win!!


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Monthly Review


Well I knew this month was going to be tight. That Rooney goal really killed me and so did losing to Chelsea but you can't win them all aye!! We are still in touching distance though but we need United to slip up now and we can't make anymore mistakes.

There's big calls from the media about Lambert going to Brazil and I'd love to see that, the left back spot is open for Shaw too with Cole and Baines both having unimpressive seasons.



Player of the Month

Dejan Lovren

Nobody's been outstanding but Lovren's been consistently solid for a while now.



Table

Still in touching distance. West Ham are all but relegated and it would take a miracle for Hull and Cardiff to rescue themselves now too. There's a certain young attacking midfielder I wouldn't mind signing from West Ham though...​

 

[Sam91]

April 2014

Title challenge all but over as United shift up a gear
Secure Champions League football though
Luke Shaw nets his first goal for the club



League


Stoke 0 - 0 Southampton


Disappointing draw as we just couldn't break down Stoke's stern defence.



Southampton 3 - 1 Crystal Palace

Lovren, Shaw, Lambert

Solid win this and great too see Luke Shaw net his first goal for the club finally lads had a great season.



Southampton 3 - 0 West Ham

Cerci(2), Lambert

Cerci netted a double here but this match was all about James Ward-Prowse who got all three assists and was simply outstanding.



Southampton 2 - 3 Cardiff

Lambert, Osvaldo

Yeah we lost at home to Cardiff.... this pretty much killed off any hope of the title as United are now way too far ahead. Never mind we've still had an amazing season.


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Monthly Review


A bit of a patchy month really, the draw to Stoke wasn't awful I guess as they are a strong team at home but that loss to Cardiff was awful we had so many chances but just couldn't score!!! Cerci must have wasted about 5 really good chances. The season's basically over now with just 2 games remaining next month against Newcastle and Liverpool. Second place is secured so I'll hand some of the kids a couple of starts just for the sake of it. Shame we're going to end the season trophyless as we really deserve something from this season.

Something positive from this month though has been the outstanding performances from Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse, the latter signing a new contract too. Both have been truly outstanding all season and I plan to build my team around both.



Player of the Month

James Ward-Prowse

It was close between him and Shaw but that game against West Ham was immense. Top month and top season from the lad.



Table

So Hull and West Ham are already down. Cardiff look like joining them. I'll be looking to do Chelsea a favour by beating Newcastle as they look for 4th.​

 

[TicTactition]

I like your philosophies Sam, always an interesting read.

 

[TamMcCann]

Cracking story mate, you are defo playing the game well! Keep it up.

 

[Sam91]

Cracking story mate, you are defo playing the game well! Keep it up.

I like your philosophies Sam, always an interesting read.

Cheers lads, just finished the season now so gonna do the end of season post now

 

[AndySams10]

Well done mate, great updates as always. Fantastic 1st season.

 

[Sam91]

May 2014 and End Of Season Post

Last two matches close games
Osvaldo and Lambert win End of Season awards
United end up storming the league



League


Newcastle 2 - 1 Southampton

Lambert

Rickie Lambert netted just before half time but we came out and just rolled over, they netted twice quickly and the game was over. I did change the team a lot though and if we fielded a fully strength side we probably would have won.



Southampton 3 - 2 Liverpool

Osvaldo, Lambert(2)

A cracking final match of the season for the fans and a great win!! Young Tom Jenkins made his first start at right back and managed to get an assist but Lambert had a brilliant game, his last chance to show Hodgson that he must go to Brazil.


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Final League Table

A hugely successful season. Second place and we pushed United up until April really but they were incredible this season. I'm shocked at how poor Arsenal were and Liverpool. Chelsea struggled for most of the season too but finished strong. Palace were incredible. Everton ended up sacking Martinez and Cardiff, Hull and West Ham were all relegated.


League Player Stats

Rickie Lambert finishes as the league's top goalscorer and James Ward-Prowse got the most amount of assist's along with Be Arfa. Osvaldo wasn't far behind too.


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Squad Stats

So good seasons for Fonte, Osvaldo, Lovren, Wanyama, Lambert and Clyne. Shaw also done well as did Ward-Prowse. Summer signings Rugani and Cerci proved to be hits as well. At the other end Ramirez and Rodriguez were pretty disappointing, Jack Cork might also be off in the summer. Lallana had an injury hit season and his versatility is useful, he's also the club captain.


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Player Awards

Footballer of the Year

Pablo Osvaldo

Trust me I'm as shocked as you lot. He's had a cracking season but I never thought he'd win Player of the Season!! A lot of goals and assists, very well rounded season.


Top Goalscorer

1. Rickie Lambert - 27 Goals
2. Shane Long - 25 Goals
3. Marouane Chamakh - 20 Goals

Probably the weirdest top 3 goalscorers your'll ever see!! Shows what a mad season its been though!!


Team of the Season

Lambert and Osvaldo make the cut, but most of its dominated by Manchester United. Shocked Baines made it.


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Southampton Player of the Season

Rickie Lambert

What a season from the big man. 29 goals in all competitions is immense. Can't see him producing this sort of form again next season though as age catches up.



Southampton Young Player of the Season

James Ward-Prowse

What a season from the young lad. Plenty of assists and some match winning performances you'd expect from someone a lot older than him. My team is going to be built around him in the middle of the park.



So that's it for this season lads. Its been amazing and Champions League football awaits St Mary's next season!! Plenty of signings in the summer too with a centre back and goalkeeper top of my list and we already have young Gabriel Barbosa coming in. Exciting times at Southampton!!

​

 

[TamMcCann]

Once again brilliant. Will be keeping a close eye on this!

 

[Safc-mad-scotty]

Great first season, and with such a young squad it can only get better!

 

[pompey forever99]

Great first season Sam... Unfortunately lol oh and btw thanks for checking out and liking my story Sam, Appreciated

 

[LovanoFM]

Good to see you back man, GJ!

 

[Sam91]

Good to see you back man, GJ!

Thanks buddy

Great first season Sam... Unfortunately lol oh and btw thanks for checking out and liking my story Sam, Appreciated

Haha thanks man, no worries always enjoy your stories mate

Great first season, and with such a young squad it can only get better!

Hopefully mate, mini clear out in the summer of some of the fringe players and already signed a few exciting youngsters

Once again brilliant. Will be keeping a close eye on this!

Cheers mate