Southampton FC: The Fall To Grace

Great update!

BRING THE BACK, I SAID BRING THIS BACK!

I'll see what I can do

You have a great team here and you had a great pre season. Keep it up

Bring this back please.

2014-09-30 18:02#195348 AlexTHFC : NOTICE
I have gone quite far in this save compared to the story, and as soon as this stopped, I enjoyed the save more. So, with that, I'm announcing that this story will be on a hiatus, just in case you didn't know xD

ALEXXXX NOOOOOOOOOOO

I read through all this to find out it was ending Great writing, fantastic graphics and very enjoyable to read!

SOUTHAMPTON'S FIRST 8 GAMES

After a confusing summer of transfers and a good looking pre-season with Roberto Di Matteo as new manager, Southampton haven't been quite sure what to expect for the 2013/14 season. Will they improve on their previous season, where they shocked many fans and finished 8th, or will they flop under their new gaffer? Only time will tell.

It's been a mixed start to Southampton's season in the "Era of Di Matteo", as claimed by many optimistic fans, but granted, they've had some very tough games. With three wins, two draws and three defeats in the first eight games, Southampton currently sit in 11th place, with more tricky fixtures to come...

The Saints kicked off their Premier League campaign in an away game against West Brom, and impressed many in a 5-2 victory that sent them to the top of the league table. A double from Victor Anichebe was topped by a double from Graziano Pelle and single goals from Eder Alvarez Balanta, Jay Rodriguez and Lasse Schone. This was followed by a tough game against Everton, the first of many tricky games they had to face. However, the Toffees were no match for the Saints for the 90 minutes as the home side stormed to a 3-1 victory. Shane Long, Lasse Schone and Jay Rodriguez gave Southampton a lead, before Romelu Lukaku gave Everton some sort of consolation in the very last minute.

Then came the Capital One Cup, an away game against Bradford. A disappointing game from Southampton's back-up side lead to a 4-4 draw after extra time, and the League 1 side went through on penalties. Hat tricks from Emmanuel Mayuka and Mason Bennett, as well as goals from Raffaele de Vita and Dusan Tadic all played part in the large scoreline. Southampton then travelled to Liverpool for their third Premier League game of the season. A dull encounter between both teams was unexpected, but happened none the less and the score was 0-0.

Southampton's first defeat of the season came in a terrible display against Manchester United at home, where they lost 4-1. The only highlight of the game for the Saints was Shane Long's goal, which had already been countered by goals from Danny Welbeck, Antonio Valencia and Juan Mata. A slightly more promising defeat came at the Etihad Stadium, against Manchester City, as they battle to a 4-3 defeat. Alvaro Negredo, Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and David Silva all contributed to the Citizens' victory, but goals from Shane Long, Nathaniel Clyne and Layvin Kurzawa made City's job a lot harder for them.

Another disappointing performance followed, as a home game against Tottenham Hotspur ended in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat. A double from Roberto Soldado and a single goal from Christian Eriksen lead to Spurs' win and Southampton's first game without scoring a goal. However, Southampton finished their first 8 games on a positive note in an impressive 2-1 victory against Arsenal which just proves Spurs > Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Yaya Sanogo's goal was responded to by goals from Eder Alvarez Balanta and Morgan Schneiderlin, to lead to Southampton sitting in 11th place in the league.

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A/N: I know I said this was going on hiatus, but I did some thinking for a while, and I have decided to continue this story now. Thinking about it, this was probably my most popular story, and the story I've most enjoyed doing. So, thank you for all of the support, this story is BACK!

Guess who's back, back, back, back again

loving the graphic and very, very glad that the story is back keep up the good work

Whoop whoop! Read this whilst I didn't have an account and was disappointed it was ending but now it's back Shane long seemed to have a great start to the season for you! Can't wait for the next update

lovely update and great win over Arsenal

Feliks:

No1VillaFan: Thank you!

TheLFCFan: Thank you, I'm so happy with the support I've got Long did have a good start, but who knows if it'll continue.

Zap: Thanks, I was very pleased with my Arsenal victory

Good start to the season. Good Result against City even tho you lost

YAY

Great update Alexis, and some good results!