Southampton FC: The return of a legend

St.Mary's... what good memories I have of myself playing on this pitch about 27 years ago. Back then, this club was more or less a speck of dust. We were hardly known by anyone. Watching this club develop so rapidly as a fan is heart-warming. I wish I could be a part of this transformation.

You see the journey started back in 1985 when I signed for this club. At that time the "little boy inside me" kept screaming "SIGN FOR SOUTHAMPTON AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED". Southampton were the only club right for me. So I did as my little boy told me to do and I signed for Southampton. Despite playing as a midfielder, I still enjoyed my fair share of goals. In total I scored about 160 goals in over 400 appearances for the club.

The day I left was a very sad day, but is was time to go. Sometimes, you've just got to let something's go. I remember crying my eyes out. I felt like one half of my heart had been chewed up and spat out by a hungry lion and I was still alive bearing the pain. Moving on was tough but it has paid off. I got a job with Sky Sports on Soccer Saturday which I have loved doing. Punditry is more interesting than it seems and I love all the lads there.

Southampton FC are not just a small team on the South Coast, they are the future of English football. Just look at the players they've produced, Crouch, Bale, Walcott, Wright Phillips, Beatie, Shaw, Chamberlain and many more will be produced with our ever improving youth academy. The truth is, the journey never ended. There was just a stop, or a break. Mr.Southampton is back and is ready to take this beloved club forward.

In case you don't know who I am...my name is Matt Le Tissier a.k.a Mr.Southampton!

Best of luck!

Looks good well done

Sounds awesome, loved your Dragan Stojković Arsenal story!

Weren't you serious about the Hammarby one? Gl.

Thanks for your comments guys! Regarding Hammarby, I was serious about it but with time restrictions on here, an LLM story wouldn't be ideal.

Good luck mate!

Following the shocking appointment of Southampton legend, Matt Le Tissier due to the resignation of Pochettino who left the club for personal reasons unknown to us, former Southampton winger, Theo Walcott has broken the silence about the move that wowed many. Walcott is one of the famous products of the Saints excellent youth product.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Theo said:

"He's someone who I used to watch when growing up. He was a very loyal servant to the club, loved by the fans dearly and scored goals for fun, some great goals too. I've spoken to him on the phone to congratulate him and he joked that his first goal as manager is for me to "Sign da ting" for Southampton!

I believe Southampton have made a smart decision. The club is in the crucial stage of transformation and they need a real hard worker and leader to push them forward. The fans are absolutely essential to a teams well being. I wouldn't say this appointment was for the fans, but it will certainly boost the morale of the fans and players too! If I was a young lad like Luke Shaw or any player at Southampton and I had a legend as my manager I would be over the moon. You would think its only possible in video games such as football manager of FIFA but that is totally wrong.

I wish Mr. Le Tissier all the best with Southampton and I look forward to playing them in the future.
"

Theo Walcott is not the only player who has approved the appointment of Le Tissier. Players such as Gareth Bale and Oxlade Chamberlain have praised his appointment. Southampton are looking renewed and fired up but may need to bring in some more experienced players if they want to really do well in the league.

Btw Seni, Le Tiss was a Spurs fan

2013-11-13 16:47#143425 Louis O. : Btw Seni, Le Tiss was a Spurs fan

Using theo walcott has nothing to do with arsenal or tottenham, just a former southampton player. However, Le Tiss being a spurs fan is freaky!

Great start! I love Le Tissier Great choice.

Nice manager chioce!

Ah, time for nit picking! Why does the banner have the 125 years anniversary logo on it? That was 2010/11 I think.

LFC: Thanks mate! Maybe he should leave soccer Saturday to manage a football team

AAN: He was the only man I could think of when I decided to be Southampton :p

Louis: Well, both the badge and banner look nice so I'll keep it! Btw credit to Lucas for it

Reporter
Rickie Lambert

R: Hello Rickie, thank you very much for joining me today for this interview.

RL: Hello and its my pleasure, I look forward to it.

R: Right lets get started shall we? Firstly lets talk about your career in lower leagues. You've got very good goalscoring records in the lower leagues, but how did you feel knowing your goals too Southampton to the top division, the premier league and helped them survive?

RL: I'm a striker and I believe its my job to score goals, that's what I'm paid to do, its also what I love to do! Scoring goals in the lower league was crucial to me. Those goals gave me a massive confidence boost. Each goal you score boosts your confidence a little and so scoring a lot is great! Helping Southampton reach the premier league was a dream come true to me. Many people had told me I'm too old to play for England or in the premier league but once we reached the premier league, my aim was to become a well-known striker, but I don't think I'm there yet!

R: Well you may think that, but others will disagree including myself. I think in your first season, you really made a name for yourself. What do you think of yourself as a striker, is there anything you wish you could change about your playing style?

RL: That's a good question actually. I think I'm a typical English to be honest. Big and strong, I like to bully defenders and cause them trouble. I'm glad that I'm able to put the ball into the back of the net most of the time! I think I wish I had a bit of trickery. Its not necessary to be lightening quick although its helpful but trickery can be very handy. Take a look at players such as Ibrahimovic, he is full of tricks!


R: Excellent! Now a question about your teammates. Who would you say is the best player in your squad? You cannot include yourself!

Best player in the squad.. I think its Pablo..Pablo Osvaldo the bloke who was signed for Roma. I'm really looking forward to linking up with him on the pitch, he is a quality striker who is very and shockingly underrated. You've then got players like Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez who are very good as well.

R: Do you still think you can play for England one day, at age 31?

RL: Day by day, it seems ever so unlikely but I think its very possible. If I can stay fit and keep scoring goals and putting in decent performances, I don't see why I wouldn't be called up, even if its as a backup for the other strikers. It would be a great honour to play for my nation one day.

R: New manager, a very familiar face, what do you think of his appointment and what do you expect?

RL: When I heard it on Sky Sports News I was very very excited. I mean this is a legend of Southampton. His name and Southampton have a never ending relationship, he helped the club so much during his playing time. So far in training its been good. I enjoy training. He does push us a bit too keep us fit but everyone's happy and the morale is high which is crucial for a successful pre-season and season too!

R: Finally Rickie, where do you think Southampton will finish in the league?

RL: I think the bookies and pundits will expect a mid-table finish, we'll be aiming for a top-half finish but there is really no reason why we can't push for a place in Europe. The champions league is a long way off, but I think we could get into the Europa League, either through the premier league or by winning the capital one cup. Its unlikely, it will be hard but it can be done.


R: Thank you very much Rickie for your time.

RL: Thank you, its been a pleasure answering your questions.