The Promoted Clubs – End of Season Report – Southampton
Filed under: Season Review - Posted by: Paul
Having run the rule over Reading yesterday, Southampton are next up in our analysis of next season’s trio of new arrivals. Runners-up to the Royals in last term’s npower Championship by a single point, Nigel Adkins’ side are welcomed back to the Premier League after a seven-season absence, having mirrored the recent achievements of Norwich City by recording back-to-back promotions:
Their turnaround in fortunes is all the more remarkable for a club that went into administration in 2009 before being taken over by Italian banker Nicola Cortese and Swiss businessman Markus Liebherr. With Adkins installed in the hot seat in September 2010, their ascent has been eye-catching and, despite losing the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal in the summer transfer window, the Saints were front runners from the opening day of the 2011/12 campaign and were never out of the top two positions all season.
The Statistics
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P | CS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 85 | 46 | +39 | 88 | 19 |
| Home | 23 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 18 | +31 | 52 | 11 |
| Away | 23 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 36 | 28 | +8 | 36 | 8 |
CS = Cleansheets
Southampton finished last season as the Championship’s top scorers, notching 85 goals on their way to a second place finish. At home, they racked up the goals with regularity, scoring two or more on 16 occasions and failing to find the net only twice at St Mary’s. At the back, they were solid in front of their own fans – Adkins’ men chalked up 11 clean sheets and conceded more than one goal on just five occasions.
On the road, their attacking brand of football saw them a little more susceptible at the back. Southampton shipped 28 goals away from home compared to 18 at St Mary’s – while they picked up eight clean sheets, their opponents found the net more than once in nine of their 23 games. From an attacking point of view, they drew a blank five times but grabbed two or more goals nine times.
The Manager
A former professional goalkeeper with Tranmere, Wigan and Bangor, Adkins was given his first managerial job with the latter and led them to a couple of title wins in the League of Wales. From there he moved to Scunthorpe, initially as a physiotherapist, before being installed as manager in 2006. Having established the club in the Championship over his four years in charge, Adkins then dropped down a division by accepting the role of Southampton boss in 2010.
Adkins’s preferred style of play is an attack-minded 4-4-2 system that places an emphasis on his side’s expansive passing game. The results have seen the Saints rack up the goals, finding the net 85 and 86 times respectively over the two seasons he has been in charge at St Mary’s, with their home form, in particular, crucial to their success. The man in charge is keen to remain true to his ethos, admitting after his side clinched promotion:
This is a Premier League club..and we’ve got to give ourselves an opportunity to do well in that division. That will include playing passing football, like we’ve done over the past two seasons. The ball’s king, whoever has possession is king, and if we can do that and score goals, we have an opportunity [to stay up]
The Promoted Squad
Listed below are the main men from Southampton’s successful promotion campaign, with only those players who made 10 or more starts coming into consideration in our analysis.
Kelvin Davis (45 starts) Nailed-on between the posts, he has missed a single game over the last two seasons under Adkins. Chalked up 18 clean sheets last term but is unlikely to receive much Fantasy interest, with better attacking alternatives in the Saints back-four ahead of him.
Jose Fonte (42 starts. 1 goal, 3 assists) Signed from Crystal Palace in the January 2010 transfer window, he has proven to be a crucial component of the Saints’ backline. A no-nonsense centre-half who is also comfortable on the ball, Fonte has become a firm fans’ favourite with his displays at the back.
Daniel Fox (37 starts, 4 sub apps. 9 assists) A potent source of creativity, the left-back also shares corner-kick duties with Adam Lallana and is resultantly one to watch out for. Rarely threatens from a goalscoring perspective but his resilience at the back could see him prosper in the EA Sports Player Performance Index.
Dan Harding (12 starts, 8 sub apps. 1 goal) Lost his starting slot at left-back to Fox last term after being nailed-on in the previous couple of campaigns. His versatility means he can also fill in on the left of midfield but, in all likelihood, his game time could well be dependant on injuries to others, with the role of squad player a more than distinct possibility.
Frazer Richardson (33 starts, 1 sub app. 10 assists) Signed from Charlton in 2010, the right-back established himself as a regular in Adkins’ starting XI last season and his delivery from the flank helped him rack up 10 assists. Lost his place towards the end of the campaign, though, as Danny Butterfield was given the nod for the final five league games instead.
Jos Hooiveld (39 starts. 6 goals) Arrived at St Mary’s on a loan deal last summer from Glasgow Celtic but was snapped up on a permanent deal in January after a series of impressive performances. Similarly resilient to Fonte in the heart of defence, he offers the greater goal threat of the pair, however, having found the net six times last term.
Richard Chaplow (17 starts, 8 sub apps. 3 goals, 1 assist) Started the previous campaign strongly before losing his place in the first XI due to a knee injury sustained around Christmas. A versatile squad player, he can play in central midfield or wide right.
Dean Hammond (31 starts, 12 sub apps. 1 goal, 1 assist) Joined up in the 2009-10 season but has seen his game time gradually decrease. With other central midfield alternatives offering far superior attacking threat, he holds little interest for Fantasy managers in the upcoming campaign.
Jack Cork (39 starts, 7 sub apps. 3 assists) Signed a four-year deal at the beginning of last season to reunite with Adkins, having previously played under him at Scunthorpe. The former Chelsea man played every game last term but his contribution from central midfield was minimal from a Fantasy perspective and is unlikely to see much investment.
Morgan Schneiderlin (29 starts, 13 sub apps. 2 goals, 3 assists) With plenty competition for places in the Saints’ central midfield, his first-team role is by no means assured. A more defensive-minded player, he’s likely to hold little appeal to Fantasy managers looking for a cut-price bargain from the three promoted sides.
Adam Lallana (41 starts. 11 goals, 10 assists) A product of the club’s highly-rated youth academy, the left winger’s creativity and eye for goal is crucial to his side’s attacking forays. With free-kicks and a share of corners in his locker, he hit double figures for goals and assists last term and, along with Rickie Lambert, was one of two Saints players to make the npower Championship team of the season.
Guly Do Prado (36 starts, 6 sub apps. 10 goals, 7 assists) Snapped up from Italian club Cesena in January 2011 after an initial loan deal proved highly successful. The Brazilian adds a touch of class to the Saints’ midfield and is equally adept in the centre or out wide – with 10 goals and seven assists, he could well fly under the Fantasy radar as managers look for the more obvious options like Lallana.
Rickie Lambert (42 starts. 27 goals, 14 assists) Has yet to play in the top-flight but, as Norwich’s Grant Holt demonstrated last time round, there is strong value to be found in the promoted forwards. Lambert’s incredible attacking returns and spot-kick duties are likely to see plenty Fantasy managers eye up the Saints forward as a cut-price proposition – he played a part in 41 (or 48%) of his side’s 85 goals, a clear indication of his importance to the cause.
Billy Sharp (11 starts, 4 sup apps. 9 goals, 2 assists) Snapped up in the January transfer window from Doncaster in a move that saw him reunite with Adkins, following their time together at Scunthorpe. Made an instant impact upon his arrival and grabbed several vital goals to help clinch promotion.
Potential Targets
While the club is renowned for a youth academy that has produced the likes of Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott in recent years, Adkins won’t be averse to splashing the cash in order to boost the Saints chance of survival. The dust had barely settled on their promotion after a 4-0 win over Coventry when the Southampton manager was keen to emphasise the need for new recruits, going on to say:
Next season we will need a certain calibre of player. We are working diligently to find players who will improve us and who are better than the ones we have. It is natural evolution and we will work hard in the summer to improve the squad.
Already, Jay Rodriguez has arrived at St Mary’s from Burnley in a club record £7m deal. Adkins is a long-term admirer of the player and had previous bids rebuffed last summer and in January – given the considerable outlay, he could well oust Sharp as Lambert’s partner up front.
With no other targets confirmed by the club, the rumour mill is in overdrive. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne has been mentioned – Chelsea look set to allow the young Belgian a season out on loan and are apparently keen for him to pick up Premier League experience.
Former Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon has also been linked with a move after his departing the Stadium of Light as a free agent, while the Saints are allegedly lining up a bid for Watford centre-half Adrian Mariappa to shore up their backline after allowing Aaron Martin to join Crystal Palace in a season-long loan.
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paul
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“I love to attack and I love to go up front...It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”
Jan Vertonghen outlines what he feels is his best position for Andre Villas-Boas
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June 18 at 7:16 pm
JuanMataBeast says:
Basically despite machisiro playing ireland italy our to unpredictable
therfore if you have the same dilemma as me i recommend going iniesta he might have a hard fixture but he plays in the front 3 and is a midfielder while the other to our classed as st’s im sure he will get something out of this game
June 18 at 7:19 pm
Manilaman says:
I agree, the only doubt I have is the fixture (Ireland are shite).
June 18 at 7:16 pm
Sleep Talk says:
Evening! Could anyone tell what’s going on with the Italy and Croatia line-ups? No Maggion and no Jelavic? What has the world come to!? My team is falling apart!
June 18 at 7:18 pm
Abominable Snowy84 says:
Our chances are falling apart but they have Jelavic and Bonucci.
June 18 at 7:18 pm
Sleep Talk says:
Snowy? You missed me?
What’s with the caps-lock on the previous page?
June 18 at 7:20 pm
Abominable Snowy84 says:
Sort your team out
June 18 at 7:23 pm
Sleep Talk says:
Guess I should. If we make it through to the quarter finals, I promise not to disappoint you again.
June 18 at 7:24 pm
Abominable Snowy84 says:
Who do you think I should captain?
June 18 at 7:18 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Rotation occurring where it was least expected.
June 18 at 7:17 pm
mark165 says:
Lost at the end of the last page:
I’ve a toss up between Pirlo, Iniesta, Silva, Torres and Cassano for captain, who would people pick out of those? Cheers!
June 18 at 7:18 pm
Adz says:
Tie between Torres and Pirlo for me. Im on Torres atm.
June 18 at 7:19 pm
Man with no name says:
Iniesta, lucky you…
June 18 at 7:19 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Torres.
June 18 at 7:19 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Rangers !! says:
Torres!
June 18 at 7:28 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Silva
June 18 at 7:18 pm
Adz says:
Predictions for tonight??
Im saying:
Spain 2-1 Croatia
Rep of Ireland 0-3 Italy
June 18 at 7:19 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Rangers !! says:
Spain 3-1 Croatia (Torres, Silva, Iniesta, Srna)
Ireland 0-2 Italy (di Natale, Cassano)
June 18 at 7:18 pm
isacki - can you win the order of extreme valour?! 64 managers, only 2 victors. click my link... says:
For all you waiting… FFS Euro 2012 Order of Extreme Valour Matchday 3 Day 2 Report – next page.
June 18 at 7:19 pm
PauleyBoy says:
Given the scores and shocks of the past few nights, I wouldn’t bank on 3-0 in both games, or for a surprise or two to be thrown up.
June 18 at 7:30 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
2-1 looks the way to go.
June 18 at 7:19 pm
isacki - can you win the order of extreme valour?! 64 managers, only 2 victors. click my link... says:
Order of Extreme Valour – FFS Euro 2012 – Matchday 3 Day 2 Report
Europe waited with bated breath to see if Group B’s climax would produce a shock of Greek proportions. While I will cut the story short by saying it didn’t, Denmark left us with one last beautiful memory from a wonderful tournament. Lightning struck twice. With Germany a goal up, Michael Krohn-Dehli (8 points) pounced to grab his second Euro 2012 goal and return richly-deserved reward to one of our hardest-working differential machines, Ginkapo – with his partner Doosra consistently making similarly superhuman efforts. In the process, the Dehli also destroyed multitudes of German clean sheets that had been expectantly lined up, so you know who to send your hate mail to. The other two valorous successes on the night both belonged to the conspicuously brave Chrissy Waddle, with Joao Pereira (5 points) and Mr Unreliable Luis Nani (5 points) both returning assists. Chrissy may wonder if he could have been a contender, as Nani wasted a glorious one-on-one opportunity early in the first half. Maxing out on the underdog factor and the obscurity factor, Ginkapo catapults into the lead.
Could I also put it on the record that Rui Patricio is crap. Thank you.
Tomorrow brings two clashes of interest both in fantasy terms and qualification terms. Italy play eliminated Ireland with the knowledge that Spain and Croatia could both qualify with a 2-2 draw. The majority of our differentials are the lower-profile members of the Spanish team. In defence, we have Casillas (The Light Knight), Sergio Ramos (In Like Flynn) and Arbeloa (TW, ENR). Milanista plumps for Fabregas, no doubt in anticipation of a center-forward spot, while In Like Flynn is the only person to pick midfield metronome Xavi. Up front we have Silva (Doosra, Pratik, In Like Flynn) with his goal against Ireland fresh in the memory. Who knows where the Spanish goals will come from? Only one person thought Croatia would score though – step up ENR who chose Croatian midfielder Perisic in his ‘Valour XV’.
In the Italy – Ireland match the selections had a defensive flavour. TW punted on uncharacteristically hapless Ireland goalkeeper Given, while the Italian defenders chosen were Chiellini (Doosra) and Balzaretti (ENR again). Finally, Demented Flamingo showed romance wasn’t dead with his pick of Andrews. That boy might hit the target some day you know…
Stay tuned for our Day 3 Report and preview of Day 4!
June 18 at 7:21 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Good, now where’s the FWC one?
June 18 at 7:22 pm
isacki - can you win the order of extreme valour?! 64 managers, only 2 victors. click my link... says:
NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Haha, 2-3 pages back I believe
June 18 at 7:21 pm
Man with no name says:
Where’s Mull? OMG the BBC are talking about England…
June 18 at 7:22 pm
The Shuffling says:
Captain Iniesta or Cassano ?
One thinks Iniesta always look dangerous in both creating chances and shooting. He will get more points from goal plus recovered ball..
Anyway, Cassano will play Ireland who conceded 7 goals from the first two matches.. He could bag a few. But he played wide so often in the first two match.
Who do you captain between the two?
June 18 at 7:24 pm
isacki - can you win the order of extreme valour?! 64 managers, only 2 victors. click my link... says:
Cassano mate. More of a target against a poorer defence
June 18 at 7:28 pm
The Shuffling says:
I wish I didn’t sell CR7 and had him captained..
Anyway, my armband is with Cassano now but ready to switch to Iniesta anytime. Umm.. Is it really a good idea to captain Italian striker?
June 18 at 7:31 pm
isacki - can you win the order of extreme valour?! 64 managers, only 2 victors. click my link... says:
I just think you’re splitting Spanish midfield points like 4 ways. The only Spaniard really worth it is whoever is playing CF. Could be wrong of course in a particular match – but over the tournament should be true
Up to you
June 18 at 7:34 pm
The Shuffling says:
Thanks Isacki.. 10 minutes for me to make decision.
June 18 at 7:31 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
I would go Iniesta,
June 18 at 7:25 pm
leo_messi says:
Cassano for sure
June 18 at 7:25 pm
LOCO ABREU says:
If Torres continues his starting role and doing well he is a must have! 8.5 for the striker of Spain!
June 18 at 7:26 pm
PauleyBoy says:
Ireland will up for getting some pride back. Could be they’ll keep it tight. They also have a good recent record against Italy.
June 18 at 7:28 pm
LOCO ABREU says:
+1. Pirlo owner and Italy fan.
June 18 at 7:32 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Could be, but Italy would still win it.
June 18 at 7:28 pm
PanPan says:
oooh
arsenal agree 12m deal for GIROUD
now i really think RVP will leave!!
June 18 at 7:29 pm
Disco Stu says:
Cassano still a better pick than Pirlo or Iniesta?
June 18 at 7:30 pm
The Shuffling says:
frankly doubt..
June 18 at 7:31 pm
Disco Stu says:
Which would you go with then?
June 18 at 7:33 pm
The Shuffling says:
I have only Iniesta as another choice.. But Croatia is stronger than Ireland.
June 18 at 7:35 pm
Disco Stu says:
Not liking Iniesta as much against Croatia. Thought Pirlo could pick up clean sheet or recovered balls points that Cassano won’t
June 18 at 7:30 pm
Ball Banger says:
Does Croatia definitely qualify if they draw 2-2 regardless?
June 18 at 7:32 pm
Sleep Talk says:
I’m a bit confused over this as well, from the news articles I’ve been reading it looks like both Spain and Croatia will be guaranteed to advance with 2-2. But if Italy beats Ireland with 3 goals, Croatia will go third right?
June 18 at 7:34 pm
Ball Banger says:
That’s what I thought
June 18 at 7:32 pm
LOCO ABREU says:
yep
June 18 at 7:33 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Yes
June 18 at 7:38 pm
PanPan says:
YEP a draw for croatia
‘A 2-2 (or higher-scoring) draw will see them through. If it is 0-0, they are out. If they claim a 1-1 draw, Croatia will only be eliminated if Italy better or equal their 3-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.’
Italy can only qualify with a win – ‘Secures qualification if Spain or Croatia win or is a scoreless draw. If that game is a 1-1 draw, then Italy need to better or equal Croatia’s 3-1 win over Ireland. If they equal it, Italy will go through because they are ranked higher than Croatia by Uefa. However, if Spain and Croatia draw 2-2 or more then Italy are out.’
June 18 at 7:30 pm
Sleep Talk says:
They were just showing a tiny report from a camp of Irish supporters. What a bunch of great people! Would want Ireland to go through just so they could bring along these fabulous supporters.
4 points against Italy might get them through right?
June 18 at 7:32 pm
Abominable Snowy84 says:
We might need 5. Bad head to head against Spain and Croatia! Went for Cassano as captain.
June 18 at 7:31 pm
★A-O-Chamberlain★ says:
Just realised im gonna miss the first QF cause i have a match, disappointed
June 18 at 7:32 pm
ManUFan says:
NEW POST
June 18 at 7:32 pm
Gaz Downright, Gerente dos Navegadores says:
What game are you watching?
June 18 at 7:34 pm
leo_messi says:
yes,but only when Spain and Croatia will lose tonight…
June 18 at 7:35 pm
Ball Banger says:
Pardew, it’s mandzukic not mandevic
June 18 at 7:35 pm
Spike says:
Good luck tonight lads. I need Purlo to get me some points
June 18 at 7:35 pm
Gaz Downright, Gerente dos Navegadores says:
Haven’t watched Croatia closely the last years, but I do believe I know one thing.
They will never have a manager like Bilic again.
June 18 at 7:36 pm
PauleyBoy says:
Im going for Cassano over Iniesta, all things considered.
June 18 at 7:37 pm
spectrum says:
Is the Ireland Italy game on tv? They usually show the other game on itv 4 don’t they?
June 18 at 7:37 pm
PauleyBoy says:
BBC3
June 18 at 7:39 pm
spectrum says:
Ok cheers
June 18 at 7:40 pm
ememeh says:
Really can’t decide on captain for this one… Help!
Mandzukic, Ramos, or Xavi Hernandez?
Thanks
June 18 at 7:42 pm
Disco Stu says:
Xavi would be my choice
June 18 at 7:43 pm
ememeh says:
Cheers – he’s yet to perform so far (points wise), so really hoping something happens for him this game…
June 18 at 7:44 pm
Disco Stu says:
Yep. He’s due
June 18 at 7:43 pm
Disco Stu says:
Is there any reason that Pirlo would be a better choice than Cassano today?