Southampton: Dec — Jan(2011)

Hello friends and I’m happy to bring you another update from my new and I guess last FM 2011 story as we all count don’t down the days towards the release of the new version. In response to a comment on my last post you will find at the end of this update a poll for you to vote on my team for FM 2012 so please feel free to click on a team and cast your ballot. Ipswich Town are currently my preferred candidate. Anyway back to the present and on with this update.

December 2010:

We began the month with a truly mesmerizing performance against MK Dons at St Mary’s where we had a total of 34 attempts on goal but could only manage one goal and that was a minute from time by Jason Puncheon. How we didn’t score anymore is beyond me in this one-sided affair.

We could have made it three one – nil wins in a row but threw away our slender lead with some sloppy marking deep into injury time at home to Oldham after taking the lead in the 41st minute. Away to Bournemouth the home side were the first to score after 15 minutes but a sensational dribbling run by Puncheon ended in a powerful strike and an equalizing goal ten minutes before half time. We quickly added two more following the break before Bournemouth clawed one back 5 minutes from the end.

Three days before Christmas and we finally get to meet high flying Swindon Town in front of 20,000 home fans. Kevin das Nevis gave us the lead early on with a terrific long range shot which we doubled through Lallana as he was left unmarked in the box to finish off a run by Puncheon on the right flank. Our 2-0 lead was eroded in the space of 5 minutes in the second half as Swindon showed why they were league leaders. But, we were not to give up and pressed forward with ST Rickie Lambert hitting the winner 6 minutes from time with a shot into the roof of the net from just inside the box to give our loyal fans a well deserved Xmas present.

Our Boxing Day fixture saw the end of our good run of form with a sluggish performance which resulted in a 1-0 defeat at home to Notts County. This was followed two days later with a draw at home to promotion candidates Charlton. It was a disappointing way to end the year both for the fans and the team alike.

January 2011:

New Years’ Day meant a trip up to London to take on Brentford where we came away with all three points thanks to a late goal by striker Rickie Lambert in this 2-1 win that kept us in 5th place. From there we headed to the south coast to take on rivals Brighton and goals either side of half time by Gislason and Lee Barnard ensured another 3 points.

Up next was our FA Cup third round tie at home to Burnley and in front of 30,000 fans MR Dany N’guessan opened the scoring after 8 minutes with a glancing header off a cross by Lallana which proved to be the only goal of an intriguing cup tie that will see us play Sheffield United in the next room also at St Mary’s stadium.

Four days later we were back to league action and the St Mary’s faithful were treated to a dominant display against Dagenham with first half goals from Lallana and do Prado who had been benched for a while. For our 22 shots at goal we really should have scored a few more. Nonetheless we got the three points.

Our third home game in a row saw us take on Yeovil and the jinx struck again as we conceded a goal in the opening 5 minutes but before the half hour DC Jose Fonte headed in the equalizer from a corner. Again we should have done a lot better in given the amount of chances we had.

We were greeted by light snow away to Hartlepool but the cold weather didn’t freeze our attacking game and we secured a comfortable 2-0 win with both goals coming in the space of four minutes just before half time.

The final game of the month was our FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Sheffield United. A capacity crowd saw Jose Fonte head us in front after 15 minutes which was soon squandered by a fabulous United move that produced a stunning strike by Ched Evans. A midfield battle ensued up until half time but 10 minutes into the second period United were reduced to 10 men which allowed us to play higher up the field. It took almost another 30 minutes but finally we broke them down with Guly do Prado poaching thesecond goal from inside the six yard box which was followed by two more splendid efforts by our wingers which saw us through to the next round where we will be at home to Chelsea!!

Results:

Almost a 100% record for the month!

League Table: (top ten)

We are definitely closing the gap on the front runners and we have a game in hand plus a crucial encounter with Peterborough next month.

Fixtures:

Well that’s it for this report and as I mentioned at the top here’s an opportunity for you to vote for my next team if you wish.

 Загрузка ...