Aloha. Welcome back to my story. After winning League 1 last season I knew I had to bring in some new blood to be competetive in the championship. So here they are. And yes, There are some pretty amazing signings. ;)
First up the loanees:
And first of all is the normal young player from Tottenham. This time they sent me Andros Townsend. A 20 year old England Youth international. He looks like a good prospect. He plays mainly on the left of midfield so he’ll provide some good competition for Adam Lallana and Jason Puncheon.
After his good season for us last season we tried to loan Jake Livermore again. Unfortunately just as he was about to accept, Burnley swept in a bought him right under our noses. Leaving us with a problem, I like to play with 2 Defensive midfielders and now we were left with only one. Ousmane Dabo. So I decided to sign Corry Evans, Jonny Evans younger brother, from Manchester United. He can also double up as a Centre back so he should be a good utility player.
Our first move in the Transfer window was to bring Jose Baxter back to St. Mary’s. He had a brilliant season for us last season and we wanted to give him the chance to prove himself at the next level. He jumped at the chance to play for us again, describing us as one of his favourite clubs.
That’s the three players we managed to sign on loan. Next to the transfers:
Our first signing doesn’t need any introduction, It was a major coup for us to get him as last season he was a regular for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 but he was released at the end of last season. He’ll fill in at left back but can also play as a centre back
Next up was another coup. We managed to steal Steven Caldwell from under the noses of Blackpool after he was released from Wigan. He’ll be a good partner for Jay DeMerit at the back.
Our next signing was 18 year old Irish midfielder Nathan Rooney. He was released by Wolves but my scouts think he could be a leading star for championship teams and possible even a good player for a premier league team. Only time will tell but he looks like a good prospect.
Our next signing was 31 year old Croatian international Igor Budan, once again on a free transfer after his Palermo contract expired. He’s an out and out striker and so will provide some competition for our current strikers.
Next was yet another free transfer, with us losing our loanee keeper we had no decent third choice so I decided to sign Graham Stack after Hibernian released him. He’s a bit of a Journeyman but I have faith he can do the business at this level if I need him.
Another free signing, after being released from Stoke we jumped at the chance to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen, He may not be the force he used to be but I think he could provide some experience when needed.
Next a player some of you may know from Johnny’s story. I’m kind of surprised he got him for Vauxhall as my scouts rate him as good player for league 1 teams with the potential to be a good premiership player. Anyway, He’s an 18 year old Turkish player who was released by Arsenal. Look out for him in a season or two.
Our penultimate signing in July was Italian defensive midfielder Fabio Firmani after his Lazio contract expired. This gives us more options in the midfield department.
Yes you are reading rightly. Michael Owen is a Southampton player. I managed to steal him from Ipswich and he will lead my front line this season. I’m so happy I managed to get him. Yet another free transfer after his Man United contract ended.
We also offloaded a few players
So with all the transfer action done, onto a rather disappointing run of friendly results.
A good result against Rangers but the rest aren’t really anything worth shouting about. Still, we head into the seaason with high hopes. And into our opening league game against Portsmouth. Big game. So make sure you check out the next update in a few days. Thanks for reading. :)
Kevin
26 ноября, 2010 at 00:32
Hello Jonny
Great mix of young and old signings which should add a good balance and competitiveness to the team. Wish you well for the regular season
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 17:51
Cheers Kevin. :)
Teguh
26 ноября, 2010 at 01:20
Nice story & great job in managing club such as southampton. I begining to write up my story in managing the reds.. you can find it on http://footballstory.wordpress.com/ …hope all of you enjoy it. THANKS
Arjuna
26 ноября, 2010 at 02:01
Hey Jonny,
You’ve made some wonderful signings. I am a huge Michael Owen fan, and he is still one of the best strikers out there. He and Gudjonsen should make a great team. I also love Jose Baxter, one of my faviroute players out there. However, you may have too many strikers!!!
Arjuna
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 17:54
Yeah, My strikers for this season will be Owen, Budan, Lambert, Barnard, Baxter and Gudjohnsen, though Baxter and Gudjohnsen will be mainly used as AM’s. I am getting rid of Connolly from last season and sending Seuntjens out on loan to get some experience. Thanks for the comment though. :)
hils
26 ноября, 2010 at 07:43
Hi Jonny,wonderful signings there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Owen should provide you a handful of goals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=D
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 17:55
Thanks again Hils. Your overuse of the exclamation mark always makes you seem so excited. Aha.
warren
26 ноября, 2010 at 10:17
Hi Jonny
You have made some wonderful signings and Owen and Gudjohnson will hopefully be a brilliant partnership in the Championship. I know its hard when you have a small budget to bring younger players in and its a lot easier to go for the more experienced but I just feel that you may have too many experienced players and this will mean a lack of pace.
Hopefully I’m wrong and I hope you prove me wrong so good luck for the season ahead.
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 17:58
Yeah, I forgot to mention a young player coming through the youth ranks who at 16 is already a good championship player and has both Manchester clubs sniffing around him. I’ll mention that next update. But you make a good point. Luckily pace isn’t a factor in my team as I play deep and slow, but my wingers are quick enough to break so I’m okay at the moment.
Thanks for the comment. :)
Johnny Karp
26 ноября, 2010 at 10:38
You made a string of brilliant signings, great job! The team surely has enough quality to have a good season and I’m looking forward to it. By the way, I just signed Nathan Rooney at Vauxhall! :)
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 18:00
Thanks Johnny. And you’re clearly a man with an eye for talent ;)
Kieran
26 ноября, 2010 at 12:53
You know, the funniest thing — I’,m playing as Southampton myself, finished my League as L1 champs on Tuesday, and ALSO bought Michael Owen! I’m a little worried…
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 18:01
Dude, were we separated at birth? :P
Kieran
1 декабря, 2010 at 15:59
I don’t want to tempt anything, but I’m currently top of the Championship November 2011…
Good luck, clone Kieran…
Ana Garcia
26 ноября, 2010 at 14:38
Some really good signings,
I will cheering for Gudjohnson as a former Barca player! I also remember Owen at Real Madrid, and he wasnt the best so hopefully you can get some goals out of him!
Best of luck for your season! :)
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 18:17
I hope you’ll be cheering for me too Ana. :P
Thank you. :)
Laxeyman
26 ноября, 2010 at 18:26
Hi Jonny, great signings there, especially Owen and Gudjohnsen who will be fantastic at that level. Your side look strong and you should be able to compete well in the Championship, good luck!
JonnySniper
26 ноября, 2010 at 18:40
Thanks Laxeyman. :)