About myself

Southampton seal two deals

Southampton splash the cash

July

We were just really really unlucky here. We absolutely dominate in the first half, but got caught out badly once, that's what happens playing the only goalie that's around at the moment, who would normally do well to sit on the bench for us.

Similar story here, albeit not as clearly against the run of play as the Köln result. It was a good match, both teams had a chance to clinch it, and it went Sassuolos way in the end. This was also Max Claytons first start for us, on the right wing. Tadic and Pelle were the two new signings to debut, besides loanees Bertrand and Alderwereild.

Well, what a match. Nearly beating the big FC Barcelona is of course ideal for the last test before the real season begins. As you can see, we were looking really thin defensively, and yet, we held up for the best part of the match. This is in huge parts down to Kelvin Davis, who really was outstanding today. McGeady debuting on the right wing also made our attack look a lot better. In the end it was Nath Clyne who brought in the cross to Rodriguez, who volleyed it in nicely. He had a chance to double the lead after 70 minutes, but backpassed the ball to Valdes from close distance after an inch perfect McGeady cross.

Player of the Month

Young Player of the Month

Goal of the Month

August

A great start to the season for us, with a convincing home win over Liverpool. Meeting three of our former players in Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert, who we knew would be dangerous, which he showed with his early goal. Even so, it never looked like Liverpool would be a huge danger. Then, within 90 seconds, Dusan Tadic and Jay Rodriguez turn the match around for us at the half hour mark. From there on it's about seeing the match out, which Morgan Schneiderlin (via Penalty) and Dusan Tadic again in the closing minute of the match manage.

Well, what a disappointment that was. Losing like that on day two certainly was not what we had planned, allthough there is little you can do to stop an attacking lineup of van Persie, Falcao and Rooney. Balanta playing his first Premier League match from the start of course didn't make things any easier. Long getting his first goal for us was about the only upside to it, and of course the fact that the meanest attack in the Prem is behind us now, at least away.

Waste of time for us. We played basically our second team, and it showed. Without McGeady on, we were lacking some real creativity, especially after Dusan Tadic came off injured early in to the second half. It was generally a very poor game decided by Daryl Murphy's header from a corner. Might have to consider him for the upcoming Irish internationals then.

Huge improvement from midweek. Emmanuel Mayuka, raised from the U21s to play in Tadic's place, had an outstanding match, grabbing both our goals. With him there, I'm not too scared about the injury to Tadic. Other than that, Shane Long also played well, setting up the first goal.

Player of the Month

Young Player of the Month

Goal of the Month

September

A poor showing in our first friendly of the new season, allthough it wasn't all bad. We were all right throughout most of the match (allthough not during the five minutes we conceded all three goals in), and we mainly lacked good attacking force. It is definitely an experience to be learnt from - luckily enough it was only a friendly and not a qualifier.

It looks close enough on the scoreboard, but it really wasn't that close. We had the match well wrapped up by the time we conceded our second, and could well have gone on to win 5-2 or 6-2. Alas, we didn't, and maybe that'll come back to haunt us.

Football really is a game of two halves, which we showed here brilliantly. We were pretty appaling in the first half, but picked up a lot in the second half, enough for us to take a well deserved draw. As always, using our chances was a problem, we probably could have won it otherwise.

Heart attack match right here. In a game between two equal teams, it really could have gone both ways. For a long time it looked like Newcastle would take full points at home, but in the end super-sup Mane salvaged us a draw. Hopefully by the time we face them at home we'll be experienced enough, especially at the back, to take the win.

In the craziest match I have ever seen so far, we beat Wigan 4-3, after leading 2-0 after 7 minutes, then conceding three (!) goals on the verge of half time. Then unlikely hero Eder Alvarez Balanta stepped up to score a brace, getting us all three points. Who would have thought that it would take two goals from our centre back to secure us the win here?

Player of the Month

Young Player of the Month