[Greenbeard]

Chapter VIII – ‘Life at Southampton’

The Arrival of Golden Balls

What better way then to start the new season, by totally crushing your opponents in your pre-season matches, this was exactly what we’d done during our pre-season ahead of the 2008/2009 Premiership campaign. We headed to Slovakia for an early pre-season tour against regional clubs, we started of slaughtering the likes of FK DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda, talk about a long name. Anyway the remaining teams on our schedule in Slovakia must have been horrified as we won the first match 9-0!
And continued the rest of the tour unbeaten, wining 3-1, 3-0, 3-2. Before hosting two matches against the French giants, PSG and Lyon. We might not of won any of the matches against those two but we at least showed that we were of European football standards.

Sad news ahead of the match against Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley as Michel Schmoller and Giovanni Dos Santos were both out on international duty, and with Mattia Cassani injured I’d have to pick a few reserves and Michael Wood’s would be given his debute.
And what marvellous day it was yet again for the history books for Southampton Football Club, as Scott Sinclair chock started the match with a goal in the seventh minute, Liverpool replied just ten minutes before half when Peter Crouch header was an excellent pass to the Ukrainian International Andriy Voronon who scored the equaliser. All in all a good start, the lads then against chocked Liverpool when debutant Michael Woods scored an amazing goal about ten yards outside the penalty box curling pass Jose Manuel Reina in the Liverpool goal to give us the win, as captain Lillian Thuram lifted the trophy into the heavens, as I noted my second trophy with the club in my third year as manager.

The premiership was just around the corner, and things at home were a bit hectic with the children going back to school and all, and my wife just being promoted at her work now pulling more hours, thankfully Nebojsa’s wife was able to help us out with our tight scheduled plans. We got off to a brilliant start in our opening game against Tottenham Hotspurs, as Giovanni Dos Santos passed forwards to Scott Sinclair to score the first goal after just two minutes of play. But Spurs got back on terms just three minutes later thanks to Defoe, as the goals seemed to come from everywhere. The young Mexican Dos Santos notched one goal up on his tally as Spurs got a late equaliser from a brilliantly strike free-kick three minutes into stoppage time as we shared the point in a six goal match, 3-3.

Less then two weeks after the match against Liverpool we’d face them again this time less successful as Voronin’s goal was enough to note our first defeat in the league. Everton weren’t much of a match at a packed St. Mary’s Stadium as a goal from Giovanni Dos Santos and one from Charles Doudin was enough to give us three points, I’d brought both my daughters for the match, and the fans welcomed them with a huge round of applauds as they walked onto the green perfectly cut pitch, before the games start.
During the whole of the following week I’d be in contact with American football club LA Galaxy, and just before the transfer window was over, I proudly announced that Southampton Football Club had signed former English captain, otherwise known as Golden Boy, Mr. David Beckham.
Beckham would start our next match against Newcastle, but not only would he do that but from now on he would be the captain of the team, I was honoured to have such a player, and the fans seemed to feel the same as they chanted out his name at St. Mary’s Stadium ahead of the match against Newcastle United, in the Premiership. The match itself was a very hard fought one, with Newcastle having a good start to the season as they found themselves prior to the match in third place, David Beckham wasn’t the only new player to start the game as Michael Schmoller took his place at the back to pair up with experienced Lillian Thuram, with Bale to the left and Vanden Borre to the right.
Both teams had their goalkeepers to thank, as the scoreline was dead at half time, 0-0 with both Given and Barrett pulling of some real world-class saves. Then suddenly twenty minutes into the second half and Beckham started to work his magic, as he hit a hard well-directed ball forwards to Mexican, Giovanni Dos Santos who cockishly slotted the ball between the legs of Given. Scott Sinclair rounded up the match only seven minutes later on a classy solo goal, moving us up into fourth position.

Things were getting worse at home, as my wife’s mother, my mother-in-law was caught very sick, so we flew her to London to get special treatment, sadly things weren’t looking very cheerful as a friend of mine who I’d become close to during the past year worked at the hospital as a doctor, and he knew how bad things were.
I was told to keep high hopes, but realistically we were to prepare for the worse, and on Sunday night the 7th of September prior to our flight out Sofia, Bulgaria the phone called, it was from the hospital. Suddenly the only thoughts in my mind was those of my father who’d past away a few years back, had yet another relative past away?

[Tanel]

Great stuff, I spent over two hours reading it. Now I'm finally through.

I wonder what that call is about. I've got a strange feeling it's something very interesting and nothing to do with your mother-in-law.

[Greenbeard]

Wow I hope you felt it was worth it , you'll see
few updates coming soon either tonight or tomarrow..

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VIII – ‘Life at Southampton’

As One Leaves Another Comes

I picked up the phone, and as predicted is was the hospital my mother-in-law was a in a crucial state, and there was sadly not many hours left, I thanked the doctor who sent his best wishes and put down the phone.
I slowly turned around knowing how much pain I’d cause my wife, with my message from the hospital.
She seemed to have already prepared her self, and kept her act surprisingly well together, she wanted to spend as much time with her mother as she could, so without wasting any time we rushed to the hospital, I called a quick phone call to Nebojsa telling him that he’d be in charge, as kind as he was he told me care nothing else then to care of my wife, and make the last few hours of my mother-in-laws life as memorable as possible.
At quarter past one in the early Monday morning, she past away, the last words she’d spoken, was that I’d been the best son-in-law a mother could ask for and that she loved my wife, and told us to take care of the new one. Before I was able to think about what she’d just said, my wife turned around, she took my hand in hers and told me the wonderful news that she was pregnant, with a boy, I was to have a son. Her mother had passed away knowing that she’d have a third grandchild, and that she’d be able to watch him from up above.
The feelings of joy and sadness were just too much for my wife, who burst into tears. By the time we’d sorted out all the papers, she’d fallen asleep, and I’d have to carry her to the car.

The lads returned to Heathrow airport victories, having won 2-1 away from home at the hands of CSKA Sofia as Charles-André Doudin had scored two goals, giving us a big advantage ahead of the second leg at St. Mary’s Stadium.

The following month that past was full of mixed feelings, my two daughters were getting along very well with Beckham’s sons whilst my wife would stay at home taking care of the kids, Beckham’s wife the so lovely Posh had left for a long tour in America and wouldn’t return until late November, so many nights were spent together with David and Nebojsa, doing all sorts of things. Whilst on the field David had scored his first goal for the club away from home in our match against Sunderland, but sadly Sunderland were to equalise just minutes later as the match ended 1-1, I wasn’t pleased with the performance and the lads knew it, and knew what would be happening during the next week, hard working sessions.
Sadly it didn’t seem to have too much effect on the lads, as for the second time this season lack of concentration and will cost us again, as we went from 3-0 up against Manchester City to a draw at the final whistle 3-3. This wasn’t what I demanded from are players the next match was the second leg, we couldn’t afford to let in anyway goals if wanted to stay in the competition. So for a change instead of having training the day after, they were all free, and then a night time we’d go out and eat, as Beckham offered to pay the note by himself, I told him that the club should pay, but David replied, I’ve got so much money Rikard I don’t have anything better to put it on, and I don’t want Posh to come home with another dozen of new shoes, I laughed and said ok then.
The meal was splendid and a somewhat relaxing atmosphere added perfectly to an excusive night, with two days left ahead of the match.

I was so very impressed by the lads, in the way they’d prepared for the game they were all so very focused and it all paid off so well, with us three nil up after the first fifteen minutes, things couldn’t of been better. During half time the lads gave each other a round of applauds for the effort so far, they knew they were playing exceptionally well, and they held out for the rest of the game wining it 3-0, I dedicated the win to my wife’s mother, as we cruised to the next round in the UEFA Cup, the group stage.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VIII – ‘Life at Southampton’

The Grass is better on the other side

We were drawn into Group C alongside with Benfica, Palermo, Sparta Prague and Nancy, a group I really expected us to qualify from. Things went downhill for us after the UEFA Cup match, with two defeats in a row, and a long list of injured player’s, which just seemed to gradually increase all the time.
This forced me to play Sebastian Lindroth, the Swedish youngster I’d signed during my first year in charge at the club, to the left in the defence as Gareth Bale was still injured, in the away match against West Brom who currently were in fourth place. I didn’t have very high hopes about the coming match, but yet again the players astonished me and took my off guard as they played one touch football, knocking a total of four goals past the poor goalkeeper, giving us a needed three points.
Next match was the first out of four matches in the UEFA Cup group stage, as St. Mary’s Stadium was host for the match against Sparta Prague. Giovanni Dos Santos, who’d scored a hattrick in the previous match away from home, scored the opening goal in what was to be a match filled with goals, after nine minutes.
Swiss international Charles-André Doudin made sure to add his name to the scoreboard, when he seventeen minutes after the first goal scored number two. Things just kept on from their with Kehl scoring his first goal for the club in the 34th minute, before Dostal reduced the score-line to 3-1 just before half time.

We came out the better side with Sinclair scoring in the opening minute, and then Doudin adding his second to a fine five-one victory, a brilliant start to the group stage. Our good streak continued into the next match against The Hammers, wining the match 3-0, with both Dos Santos and Sinclair scoring a goal each.
I was worried beforehand for the match against MK Dons, that the players would be to big-headed to play simple and win the game, in the League Cup third round, but I needn’t have worried the lads professionally won the game 2-0, without having to put to much effort in the game, as Nottingham Forrest were our next opponents in the next round.

Thanks to our good performances during the end of the October month, all three monthly awards were given to people who have contributed to Southampton Football Club, Birkir was awarded the Player of the Month, Dos Santos the Young Player of the Month, and myself honourably given the Manager of the Month.
November month couldn’t of got off to a better start as we trashed Charlton Athletic 4-0, at home as Giovanni bagged his thirteenth goal in his 16th appearances for the club, he was making a name for himself, and Barcelona manager Michael Laudrup, was impressed by the youngster and our club, in how well we’d so far help him develop his talent, he also informed me that the possibility of loaning more youngster, would please him a lot.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter VIII – ‘Life at Southampton’

The Sun Isn’t Shining

I was looking forward to the next match, the fourth round match against Nottingham Forrest in the Carlings Cup, we’d be facing Billy Sharp a player whom I’d wanted to sign during the transfer window in the summer, but didn’t have enough funds available left after signings all of the other players.
Nottingham Forrest, had my respect a previous big club and taken the step back into the Premiership and even though they were in the relegation zone, you can never count out a team that wins the Coca-Cola League One and then the following year wins the Championship.
An early goal from Birkir set the pace of the match, which we dominated through out the game, Billy Sharp showed us what danger he could create when pulled on back just before half time, as we won 4-1, and were through to the next round to face Aston Villa. Whilst giants Chelsea and Manchester United would play head to head in another quarter final.
It was roughly around this time that French football club Auxerre contacted me asking if I wanted to become their new manager, sadly I had to disappoint their chairman Jean-Claude Hamel saying that I was concentrating on Southampton Football Club, but it was a possible alternative in the future, as I’d love to manage in the French league.

It wouldn’t take long till we’d face Billy Sharp and Nottingham again, as St. Mary’s Stadium yet again was the host stadium for the Premiership encounter. But we’d have to fight for every yard forwards, as seventeen minutes into the game and a late dodgy tackle from Mexican youngster Giovanni Dos Santos, meant we were a man down for the rest of the match. As an attacking manager as I’m I removed Sebastian Kehl for Freddy Eastwood whom I had high hopes of to make dramatic changes, but sadly there came no sparks, as the final whistle blew an end do a very boring draw, a game which we really needed to win.

Nearly half way through the football season, and we were in seventh place, only four points adrift from leaders Tottenham, but in my opinion we were underachieving. But we weren’t the only club to do so, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger found themselves in 11th position in the league a long way away from a possible Europe place, but the Champions League didn’t seem to be any problems for them having won five out five in Group E Arsenal found selves already qualified for the next round.
My wife’s stomach was now growing, nights with David and Nebojsa didn't happen very often, and life in Southampton wasn’t always a dream. But I’d have to get my act together as the following two matches for the club were first in Italy against Palermo and then at home against Nancy, maybe we could build on from a possible continues European wining streak.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter IX – ‘Battling for European Glory’

Breaking Through

Things looked shaky for us concerning the UEFA Cup, as a late goal was enough for Palermo to secure three points in our match in Group C. But the lad’s picked up their act for the home game against Nancy, as Scott Sinclair took the step forward’s scoring twice in the second half to give us the win, 2-0.
This was enough for us to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Cup, with Benfica still to play.
Back to the league matches and we were without Giovanni Dos Santos, who’d suspension had been extended three matches, after he was recently sent off.
Lillian Thuram was sent off for the second time this season away from home to Pompey, a very disappointing match from our side, as we were defeated 1-0 this moved us into a disappointing thirteen place, with two games in hand to catch up with the top teams, for another place in Europe as December month started.

Yet another reunion happened on the first day of December as Daniel Örlund former goalkeeper of AIK joined Southampton Football Club on a four-year contract, as Hilario was released on mutual termination.
Then there was the amazing battle at Stamford Bridge against the giants, Chelsea.
Who were out after revenge after losing the FA Cup during the previous season, but they’d yet again be defeated, this time thanks to two goals from Scott Sinclair, talking about revenge for Scott, scoring two goals against his former club, who didn’t understand what a talent he was.

Danny Murphy made sure to take a step forward to prove me that he’d had enough of reserve football, as he scored the matches only goals, with two first half goals against third place Blackburn, pushing us up in the league to an impressive fifth position, and I’d soon be able to retain the work of Giovanni Dos Santos.

A pleasant ending to the UEFA Cup stages, as we travelled to Portugal to face Benfica, by my side was my wife and my two daughters, which for once followed me to our away match, the match it self was very one side, and entertaining for Southampton fans, as we won with the final score finally ending at 6-0.
We the continued on our fine form beating the Gunners at home 2-1, thanks to two amazing goals from Scott Sinclair who continued to impress in the red and white striped shirts.
After having a rough finish to the end of the November month December had started quite well for us, at home things were becoming steadier giving me more time just to relax. On the odd occasion the Beckham’s would come over with their sons, for a meal together with Nebojsa and my own family at our place, the Beckham’s didn’t live very far from us, just around ten minutes away in this huge nineteenth century mansion which they’d refurnished to more a modern inside look, it was amazing so detailied and excusive.

A trip to Villa Park, was also the end of our adventure in the Carling Cup, thanks to an early diving header by Jefferson, and Kalou hitting it past Barrett in the second half. Charles-André Doudin did reduce the score-line to 2-1 just a few minutes later, but we couldn’t build further on the goal, with their goalkeeper Craig Gordon pulling of a few dieing good saves, to secure the win for his side.
The media started to question my signing of Anthony Vanden Borre, which I’d paid earlier during the summer a total of 7,25 million, I must say I do regret doing that in the after-math, with the young defender only starting five times in the league so far.

My wife Jeanette’s emotions were kind of mixed, they could vary from day to day, now a month into the pregnancy, we knew now roughly which date he’d be born, which was roughly around the 11th of July.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter IX – ‘Battling for European Glory’

Young & Cockish

We were really showing what a lethal and deadly team, we could be if you’d give us as space during the encounter between current league leaders Tottenham Hotspurs, when we turned the match around for a 0-1 to 2-1, thanks to another double from the young Scott Sinclair.
During the evening the same night I received a phone call from Bolton’s manager Iain Dowie, who wanted to sign Anthony, for 6 million pounds, only 1,5 million pounds less then what I’d signed him for during the summer window transfer, and will all due that was a good offer from a team in the Championship, and I knew Anthony wanted to move as we wasn’t considered to be a regular in the starting eleven.
I had a short chat with Nebojsa, who also agreed to let Bolton negotiate with Anthony.

Sadly signing unknown talents, and improving a team from the middle of the Championship to becoming a high flying Premiership team, attracts bigger clubs to the players which mean the most to you, as both Birkir and Mattia were attracting the attention of the biggest clubs in England, Italy and Spain. I didn’t want to let him go, I knew he wanted to go, but with them together with the rest of the players we could become as big as the teams they wanted to leave for, if only I could get them to understand that.
The top fleet of the English Premiership was getting tougher and tougher each day, with only four points in difference between first placed Tottenham and 8th placed Manchester United who were underachieving under the new management of their former captain, Roy Keane.
We weren’t making things better for our self, drawing 1-1 and Anthony wasn’t making his life at St. Mary’s Stadium very clear when he first said he wanted to leave but when the opportunity rose to have a move to Bolton he rejected. The rest of the offers that were coming from other clubs, for the young Belgium lad were far to little compared to the amount we’d paid for him earlier during the summer, and had to be rejected.

With the transfer window opening soon, it was time to look for additions to the team, the only problem was that I only had half a million pounds, I’d have to look players to loan in, instead.
Revenge is a lovely feeling one which we experienced just a few days after exiting the Carling Cup against Aston Villa, as the ventured down to St. Mary’s Stadium, Charles-André Doudin opened the scoreline just two minutes into the game with a lob over the top of their Scottish International goalkeeper, but sadly just before the half time interval Luke Moore used his pace to get past the old and wearily Thuram to score the equaliser.
Ten minutes into the second half, and wonder strikers the referee awards us a penalty, suddenly the bright flashing light of Zac Barrett’s goalkeeper shirt runs past me and hits me on the back, he sent me a wink and ran forwards to the penalty box, the crowd were going wild the knew what was going to happen, Zac Barrett was going to take the penalty, it suddenly struck me that during the beginning of the match I’d joked about Barrett to hit the penalty if we got one, because preformed so well against Villa in the Carling Cup and wanted revenge.
There was no way I could back out this time, Zac stepped up, he looked so confident, the total contrary of what I felt like.
Here it goes I thought, ZAC RUNS FORWARDS TO THE BALL, HE WAITS A LITTLE BEFORE HITTING IT, SENDING THE GOALKEEPER TO LEFT BEFORE HITTING THE PENALTY, and lobs the ball elegantly and cockishly into the right hand side of the goal, what a goal! What a penalty, what a goalkeeper! The crowd went mad, Barrett scored his first goal in his life as a goalkeeper in such a style, he gave me a cheeky wink on the back to his goal, by heart now back in place, I could relax and enjoy Doudin and Sinclair scoring one goal each to secure the 4-1 victory moving us into second place, only trailing two points behind leaders Tottenham, as the year 2008 came to an end, the transfer window opened a new year together with my family and Southampton Football Club began.

[Tanel]

You're doing good! Maybe CL on cards if you can continue. Good to see Barrett scoring for you. I once in last minute sent a goalkeeper foward and he actually scored with his foot from the edge of the area with the ball bouncing around.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter IX – ‘Battling for European Glory’

Losing It

December was yet again another successful month, with Scott Sinclair taking two awards, firstly second place as the Player of the Month and taking home the grand prize of player of the Month. As I myself was awarded for the second time in three months, the manager of the Month award having won five out of six previous matches during December, an excellent way to end the year.

New Years, was spent together with the football club, David Beckham had a gigantic party at his mansion inviting all of the Southampton player’s to invite family and friends and children if they had. We must have been somewhat two hundred people in the huge mansion, the count down was immense, all of us shouting down from ten, I nearly accidentally chocked when I saw Beckham’s oldest lad kiss my oldest daughter. David just looked at my and laughed, after all can’t be that bad to have Beckham’s son become your son-in-law.

Danny Murphy’s stay at Southampton ended on the same day, as we’d take on non-leagues Stafford Rangers in the FA Cup third round at home, Murphy joined Q.P.R. who were struggling in the Championship finding themselves in 23rd place. It was a sad departure, Danny had helped the club out when we most needed it, jumping in as a sub or replacing someone before kick-off, scoring those vital goals, and he’d be very missed.
It only took us seven minutes before we’d opened the scoreline at St. Mary’s Stadium with Giovanni scoring the opening goal, a few fresh faces had been given the opportunity to shine as Daniel Örlund made his debute, and Anthony Vanden Borre replaced Mattia who I personally thought needed a rest. Doudin and Sinclair got their fare share of goals in a match, which ended 6-0, it had never been much competition, and Örlund had pulled off one good save, which was the only thing he had to do during the match.

Andrew Surman the left midfielder who’d impressed me so well during the first season in the Championship was the second player to leave St. Mary’s Stadium, as he joined Luton Town on a 2,5 million deal, earning us some transfer money, I wish the lad the best of luck, I’m sure he’ll do well back in the Championship.
I was able to agree a deal with Barcelona and their Danish manager to keep Giovanni Dos Santos another six months, meaning that he was a Southampton player until, just after New Years, next year.
Czech Republic international Skacel, who hadn’t played with the first team through out this season, left the club on the 14th of January, to join Watford on a 1,8 million deal.
Like the previous year, out first few matches didn’t go very well, losing both to Liverpool and Newcastle on an odd goal. With the FA Cup match around the bend against Bristol City and the UEFA Cup dawning upon us, the lads needed to get their act together.
I really lost my temper this time, when we drew at home 0-0 to bottom of the league Sunderland, with Anthony Vanden Borre, getting a start I was hoping to see some real good play from his side, instead he received a red card, I was furious we’d begun the new year horribly, and were falling down the league because of it.
Things got worse when I commented on the referee’s performance in the previous match earning me a touchline ban, and a hot discussion with the clubs board, for improper behaviour.

Sadly the match I’d be suspended from was also the match against Bristol City, in the FA Cup I had faith with Nebojsa and I was hoping the lads would return that faith as well.

[Ratpack]

Tbh I don't know what else to say, just wow.

[Greenbeard]

Ratpack, on Jun 10 2007, 10:14 PM, said:

Tbh I don't know what else to say, just wow.

Ow I love you don't I
Thanks Tanel as well for your comments

[Greenbeard]

Chapter IX – ‘Battling for European Glory’

No Respect

A horrible intense feeling of pain, had set itself of me the day we were to play Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round, the knowledge that I wasn’t able to help the lads out in any possible way just made me feel so week and depressed. Nebojsa shoulders now had to take all the pressure, and I felt so guilty.
The lads keep on for kick-off looking ready, as always, Nebojsa seemed to have ordered the player’s to play very rough, as the referee must of awarded at least five free kicks in the opening minutes.
The effect that this gave on the Bristol City players were that they weren’t as cunning to go into a tackle with the Southampton players, this was one of the main reasons why Giovanni Dos Santos could easily open the scoreline in the twenty-fifth minute, and only five minutes later Scott Sinclair doubled the lead.
I could relax for a while or so I thought at least, the experienced Steve Brooker was a constant threat in front of Barrett, and he to was able five minutes later our second goal to score, and reduce the scoreline to 2-1.
But things were going our way, as the match final finished 4-2 in our favour and we were through to the next round, which I was going to be able to manage.

Just a few days after our advancement in the FA Cup, Newcastle United’s new chairman informed me that I was in his mind just the person Newcastle United needed to have to take the club to another level, I declined telling the Chairman that I could never leave Southampton Football Club in this state, far off from where I wanted to be in the league and with the UEFA Cup around the bend, he understood and welcomed me at any time in the future to contact him, should I change my mind.
January month was in my opinion the worst and hardest month I’ve ever had here in Southampton, we didn’t win a single game in the league to my disappointment and from the 2nd spot we had before the new year, we now found our self in a very disappointing ninth place. On the contrary of blaming everything on myself, I thought that many of the younger lads whom I’d given the chance for decent football, were taking their place for granted and concentrating only about themselves, this was disturbing as the likes of Mattia Cassani and Birkir Bjarnason, would pay more attention to what the media said concerning that the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona where interested in then focusing on the club. I hade a person talk with both of the players, Birkir responded very well and said he’d stop, and start concentrating on the club. Whilst sadly Mattia showed me some very unprofessional and disturbing behaviour, which he’d later on pay for.

At least the first match in February got off to a good start with a 4-1 win against Reading, thanks to Scott Sinclair scoring yet another two goals, with the league matches soon ending with only what a third left, the UEFA Cup was our biggest priority Shakhtar Donetsk, were our opponents in the 2nd round of the UEFA Cup, with the first leg just a few days from now, at St. Mary’s Stadium.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter IX – ‘Battling for European Glory’

MC Cheeky

Due to his poor behaviour, Mattia Cassani found himself sitting on the bench at St. Mary’s Stadium for the start of the first leg in 2nd round of the UEFA Cup, the beginning of the first half neither team dominated, both trying each other out, to nervous to try anything desperate. But we finally broke the deadlock thirty-two minutes into the first half as Charles-André Doudin scored yet another beautiful free-kick goal from just outside the semi-circle.
And just a minute before the half interval Giovanni Dos Santos pounced on Scott Sinclair’s rebound to double up the scoreline.
With the match coming soon to an end Michael Woods came on to replace a tiresome, Kehl. Woods worked extremely hard during the remaining time in the match, and couldn’t help but watch as Shakhtar reduced the scoreline from an amazing thirty yard shot that hit the cross-bar before landing in the back of the net, a crucial away goal which could cost us, UEFA Cup glory sadly.

Between the next leg of the UEFA Cup in Ukraine, we’d face Coventry in the fifth round of the FA Cup, the match itself was easy with Scott Sinclair scoring another two goals, as we went trough to the next round after a 4-0 victory at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The important second leg in Donetsk, against Ukraine’s current best team Shakhtar Donetsk was next on our fixture list, yet again Cassani found himself on the bench, but this time the match wasn’t much of a game, two early first half goals from Doudin and Sinclair secured our advancement and a late Shakhtar goal couldn’t stop us from advancing to the next round, to fight against former German giants Borussia Dortmund.
With a draw and a 3-1 away win against West Ham we now found ourselves in 8th position in the league with the top placed clubs now spacing a gap between themselves and us, we really needed to catch up if we wanted a possible UEFA Champions League or even a UEFA Cup place.
February month for the Premier League was kind of short, only three matches was enough to top Birkir Bjarnason as Player of the Month as Scott Sinclair yet again was awarded the Young Player of the Month, I myself notched up the third spot in the manager award.

With only three months left to my sons birth, Jeanette’s stomach was growing all the time, to be honest our bed isn’t the biggest around, and she takes up a lot of space, specially because she moves a lot, so during the recent few day’s I’ve not been able to sleep a lot, and the only hours I’ve been getting in, have been those on the sofa.
During the summer we’d be looking for a new house, instead of the small apartment, Beckham had advised about a house around the corner, that would be going on sale soon, as the owners were going to move back to the USA.

Dortmund at home was next up for us a match I’d been looking forwards to for a while now, we’d yet to play each other since I’d become manager and the bookies showed that we were the under-dogs and in my opinion I liked it that way, the player’s didn’t need to have to much expectations or press on them. We’d be able to play the style of football we’d want to.
German teams are known to be quite slow, and play quite rough so having players that have an immense pace such as Scott Sinclair, Giovanni Dos Santos and Birkir Bjarnason must be to our favour.
The game started, and quite early in the game you could notice that Dortmund player’s had been given orders to play extremely hard against Scott Sinclair and Giovanni Dos Santos, both taking some really horrible late tackles during the an extremely boring first half, in which neither teams got a good effort on goal.
With roughly around twenty-five minutes of the match Gareth Bale had an attacking throw-in down the left hand flank near the Dortmund box. The German player’s expected a long throw, but instead the young Welsh defender threw the ball to Kehl who crossed the ball elegantly towards the goalkeeper, but from no where Charles-André Doudin got a touch to the ball as the goalkeeper was startled he couldn’t believe his eyes as he picked the ball from the back of the net. He’d have to get used to it as ten minutes later, Anthony Vanden Borre crossed a free-kick from just outside the penalty box, the ball was directed goal-bound with Kringe, the Borussia goalkeeper coming out to take it, but up jumped tiny Scott Sinclair getting a head to it just before Kringe’s fearsome punch knocked Sinclair out, we’d scored our second goal, and Kringe was awarded a yellow card, and poor Scott Sinclair was carried out on a board, and was replaced by Wilton Figueiredo.
The lads kept the clean sheet, as the final whistle game, our pyshio came up and told me that Sinclair was back up on his feet, and would simply need to rest for a day or two.

As a treat I sent someone to go to the nearest Mc Donald to buy a Mc Feast for Sinclair, who was resting in the nearby hospital, I knew how much Sinclair loved them, but he knew how angry I normaly became if I caught him eating them so he’d stopped. A pleasant surprise was waiting for me, when I came home. The cheek Scott had ordered 10 Big Macs to be sent to my house, with a letter saying thank you, eat yourself fat you’ve done yourself good on it. God knows what that boys going to do next I thought, as I walked into the apartment, to be meet by a bulging stomach, which belonged to Jeanette she didn’t look all to pleased.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter X – ‘Me > You’

Scott’s a God

With the transfer window now been shut for a month, most of the teams had stopped scouting around the continent for new talents, I took this to my advantage as Simon Hunt, our clubs British scout reported back having found a few promising talents. Yet again to my amazement he’d already captured one of them, and all which was left was for me to give him the permission to sign pen to paper, as Arsenal’s Michael Uwezu, an attacking midfielder age 17, was set to join us in the upcoming summer for small fee of 1,800,000 pounds.
I’ve never understood why the big teams nowadays in England, splash out millions and millions of pounds of foreign players when they have promising talents in their academy, and that they cared so little about them that they didn’t realize when losing a real pearl.

The FA Cup 6th round against Manchester City away from home, was a pure one man show from each of the teams, as Miller and Doudin scored both two goals each, to see the match go to a replay, to decide which of the teams would go through to the next round. Whoever won the game would play at home against Arsenal in the Semi Final; our replay match was scheduled only two days after the match against Barnsley in the league.
The following morning whilst hurrying to the airport to catch up with the rest of the team for our flight out to Germany, my phone started to ring it was the clubs scout the former Columbian international Asprilla who’d found, in his words ‘An extremely good guy very talented, must buy!’ I didn’t have time to discuss matters with him, so I told he had my permission and that we’d meet back in Southampton.
The day after, German, English, French and Spanish newspapers all had the same front page; Southampton Football Club beat Europe’s biggest teams to Israeli wonderkid. It turned out the lad Asprilla had signed, whose name was the biggest clubs in Europe including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and many others wanted Tamir Mish’an, and he’d gone for us. There was a downside with the transfer though, he’d have to be loaned out to Wettern for the next three years before being illegible to play for us, but that didn’t matter too much to me, I was impressed and ordered the chairman to give Asprilla nice bonus, sending him on a holiday back to Columbia.

We got of to a horrible start in the second leg in Germany, as Borussia Dortmund scored two goals in the opening ten minutes, our entire advantage had disappeared in front of our eyes. To make matters worse their goalkeeper was having one of those days when you save everything. Twenty minutes left of the game and we’d still not scored, then suddenly from no where Scott Sinclair suddenly clicks as if changing gears, and solo’s the entire Dortmund defence, before rounding the goalkeeper and coolly slicing the ball into the back of the net, I couldn’t keep back my joy as Scott ran towards me. I picked him up and told him I loved him, and do you know what that cheeky thing replied?
- You owe me, two Mc Feast’s

I could do nothing but laugh, as the game continued, the Germans had to score two goals to advance to the next round, and putting to much pressure towards our goal cost them, as Charles-André Doudin intercepted a perfectly well struck long ranged pass from David Beckham into the far top corner, as we back on terms, with only seconds left on the clock. HSV were our opponents in the quarterfinals, with the first leg in Germany, and should we win that we’d play either PSV or Inter Milan, in other words not the easiest task compared to the other semi final, which would either be Tottenham or Swiss side Basel.

[The Skyler]

Excellent work! Great updates. :thup:

[Greenbeard]

Thanks alot mate for that comment, they seem to be very rare now days.

[Greenbeard]

Chapter X – ‘Me > You’

We are the Saints!

Excellent news for the club and its players came just a day before the Premiership match against Barnsley, Mattia Cassani, Zac Barrett, Scott Sinclair and David Beckham were called up to the first team of their national sides. David was over the moon, after being invited to reunite with his nation, the nation he nearly three years ago last played and was captain over. The lads were all still winded up as we took on Barnsley and it was quite obvious that they were looking forward to the international break, as we only got one past a pathetic Barnsley who didn’t have a chance on goal. To make things even better, Manchester City’s manager Stuart Pearce announced the same day as the match that he was due to leave City for Italian giants Fiorentina who’d just recently fired their manager Paolo Maldini. City were totally disorganised ahead of the match, the board were very disappointed with Pearce for leaving on such a short notice, before an important match of the calibre that the FA Cup is. It was quite obvious that the City players didn’t know what to do, they must of felt so betrayed, I can’t understand why a manager would act that way.
The match was one sided, mainly dominated by us with Charles-André Doudin scoring two goals in during the first half hour of the game, Kehl scored a third as City tried to fight back bravely scoring two goals during the end of the second half but it was to late, we were through to the Semi-Final where we’d play Arsenal.

City approached me after the match, asking if I was willing to take over the club during the summer break yet again I declined, Southampton was a part of me now, there was no way I’d walk out on them not when we were so close to glory. Neither Cassani nor Barrett played in the first of the two international matches, as Scott Sinclair and Beckham took part in England’s embarrassing 1-0 defeat to the hands of Russia. Sinclair would bag his second goal in an England shirt in the next match, as he along side David Beckham, England’s former captain as The Three Lions defeated Finland in front of a packed Wembley, a game which David himself would also add to his international goals tally.

Only a few days after the international matches, it was yet again time for us to return to Germany, this time Hamburg to face HSV in the first leg of the Quarter Finals in the UEFA Cup. We got of a to a horrible and very shaky start, nothing seemed to work the coordination, talking to one another precession of the passing the ball nothing, we’d gone into a malfunction mode for some reason, as HSV hit us twice early on in the game with Danijel Ljuboja scoring twice in the first twenty minutes.
To make matters worse six minutes before half time, and yet another horrible tackle on young Scott Sinclair, forced him to come of the field, to be replaced by Swedish international striker Wilton Figueiredo.
The lads were really disappointed inside the changing rooms and they really wanted to change the match around, only three minutes into the second half and we were nearly back on terms with Figueiredo making an immediate impact on the game. Our equaliser would take another fifteen minutes before in-loaned Mexican wonderkid Giovanni Dos Santos would score number two for us, giving us a far better advantage then that of a 2-0 defeat. Sadly the players ran out of energy towards the end of the game as Ivica Ollic scored the wining goal three minutes before full time, but at least this had given us two important away goals for the return match in Southampton.

Sinclair’s injury wasn’t that bad, thankfully and he was part of the team that crushed Middlesborough at home in the Premiership 4-0, with Charles-André Doudin scoring a beautiful hattrick.
The same week on Thursday, we crushed HSV in the second leg, there was no doubt in which team was the dominating force through out the game, as Doudin bagged another two goals, to put us into the Semi-Finals where, to my surprise we’d face PSV, who’d won their quarter-final against Italian giants Inter Milan.
I was kind of disappointed that the English Football Association rejected my claim to move the following Premiership match away from Saturday only two days after our clash in the UEFA Cup, we’d end up drawing the match thanks to a late goal from Scott Sinclair.

It was after the match against Nottingham Forest that a historical match would take place at St. Mary’s Stadium. During the end of the previous Premiership season, a very attacking, world class filled Chelsea 6-0 slaughtered us. This time around Chelsea were having a goalkeeper crisis, with youngster Ryan Taylor making his debut on the day. One, which he’d love to forget, as Sinclair and Doudin scored two each, and Dos Santos and Thuram scoring one each. The match had a very boring and unneeded ending when Scott Sinclair got sent off three minutes into stoppage time for lunging a double-footed tackle from behind on Shevchenko, who broke a leg after the challenge, the FA would later extend Sinclair’s ban for another three matches, meaning he would miss out on a lot of the remaining Premiership season.

It wasn’t to be another FA Cup final for us, with Arsenal and Thierry Henry being to much of a force, with us exiting the cup 2-0, followed up by a nice 4-3 victory against Aston Villa which saw us come back three times before Beckham scored the final decisive goal.
PSV weren’t much of a challenge in either of the legs, with us wining 3-2 in the away match, in which Zac Barrett got all to carried on after scoring a penalty again, and then wining at St. Mary’s Stadium 2-0. The win in the Semi-Final faced us against Chelsea, who were still without Cech or Shevchenko. Back in the league and things were tight up with the end near, with three games left we found our self’s in seventh place a match less played and the possibility into climbing into fourth place. Doudin scored the only game in the match against Blackburn, which saw us, pas them in the league up into fourth place, we maintained that position after wining away to Charlton 2-0. Before the final decisive match against Arsenal, a win would mean second place in the Premiership after already crowned champions Manchester United, a defeat would mean a deafening fifth position outside Champions League places.

[Ratpack]

God even without reading them the updates looks brilliant. THe graphics, the layout... fantastic

[Greenbeard]

Chapter X – ‘Me > You’

Miracles Can Happen

My heart was pondering at the same ratio, as what I believe a person who’s chased by a murder would have. Sweat was dripping down from my forehead, my clothes stuck to my skin.
I was still chocked standing still, taking in every moment. I truly couldn’t belive what was occurring right in front of my eyes, not even pinching myself helped. Only twenty minutes ago the Emirates Stadium was packed with sixty thousand fans, all-cheering on their team. It was 2-2 in the important final match of the season, with both Arsenal and Southampton fighting out a place in the Champions League for the next season. Things changed drastically with Charles-André Doudin breaking through the Arsenal defence, giving us the lead for the third time during the match. Three minutes before full time Doudin worked his magic again when he intercepted a pass from Giovanni Dos Santos to score number four, and only seconds after the kick-off Zac Barrett cleared the ball quickly upwards after a Arsenal attack with Scott Sinclair free on goal against Lehmann, and the young English international wonderkid made sure not to make a mistake by scoring number five, pining the match and our qualification to the UEFA Champions League the next season.
The stadium was now nearly empty only a few minutes after the full-time whistle; Arsenal had missed the Champions League as we’d completed a dream season ending in second place in the league behind crowned Champions, Manchester United.

Only three days after the amazing win in London at the home-stadium of Arsenal, we found our self on the green turf of Stade Vélodrome, home of the former French giants Olympic Marseille. As the UEFA Cup final kicked off, with Chelsea and Southampton yet again facing each other in another big final.
Like the previous final, both teams didn’t have many opportunities during the first opening twenty minutes, and yet again it would be us, who’d break the deadlock. As Michael Woods who would play an important part of the match crossed in a corner from the left-hand-side, as Giovanni Dos Santos jumped highest to beat of John Terry to head home the opening goal of the match.
Roughly six and a half minutes later, and yet another goal this time from Charles-André Doudin from a world-class free kick from just outside the Chelsea penalty box. The Swiss international rushed to me and jumped into the arms of Nebojsa as the other players on the bench including myself joined the celebration. We’d have to keep the concentration, and not take the lead for granted, as there was a lot of time remaining on the clock.
Emilo Nsue would then go on to score his first and only goal for Chelsea in his career, as he’d transfer to Barcelona during the summer transfer window for a 9,25 million fee.
The lads looked chocked and I was very thankful when the half time whistle came, giving me the opportunity to convince the lads that we could do this! It seemed to work, as we were the dominating force during the twenty-first minutes of the second half, but sadly horror struck when Joe Cole passed the ball forwards to Didier Drogba who only had Gareth Bale in front of him who already had a yellow card, so he couldn’t lunge at the Ivory Coast international, who quickly passed Bale and shot the ball into the top far corner to equalise for Chelsea.

Both sides players legs were becoming more and more tiresome and the lack of concentration was extending with every minute that past, Ben Sahar failed to use a great opportunity towards our goal, as Mattia Cassani intercepted the ball and passed it forwards to Charles-André Doudin on the right hand side of the Chelsea half.
Sadly the long-ranged pass was a bit off course, as Barzagli the Chelsea left defender intercepted the ball.
With lack of concentration Barzagli hit a howler of pass back towards Begovic in the Chelsea goal, the ball was hit hard and was very unfriendly pass, for the goalkeeper who missed timed his kick, with Scott Sinclair coming from in front of him. The former Chelsea youngster pounced on the lose ball, as Begovic could do nothing else then look as the ball was neatly hit into the goal by Scott Sinclair with seven minutes left on the clock.
Chelsea were unable to get into the match after Andrea Barzagli’s howler of a pass, as we were crowned Champions of the UEFA Cup. What an amazing end to finish the season on, as David Beckham raised the UEFA Cup into the air, as red and white fireworks shot off all around the stadium to mark history in English Football, as Southampton Football Club secured their first ever European trophy.




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Thanks Ratpack for the comment, now read the updates