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Deadeye15's Dynasty Blog
Southampton Year 3 - Preseason Update 
Posted on July 7, 2010 at 09:04 PM.
Southampton F.C.



Manager's Transfer Period Address:


As this seasons Transfer Window opens up there are a few things I would like to address. First are foremost is the LB position. As you all are well aware we have advanced into the top league in English football. However, even last year in the Championship our defense struggled immensely even against mid-table teams. This will be unacceptable in the Premiership if we intend to stay there.

Secondly, as much as I hate to say it we need a new Keeper. Kelvin Davis has given us tons of big saves over these past few years and helped get us to where we are now. However, at this stage of his career he is 34 years old and sadly is not up to this level. I will be shopping for a replacement and he will move into a backup role unless he would like to be moved where he will get a chance to play.

Lastly, we will be shifting from the familiar 4-3-1-2 formation we had success with last year to a more typical 4-4-1-1 position to allow our depth at midfield to shine. In order to do this however, we need a capable RM which we currently lack. This will be my last focus during the transfer period.

Like last year, players who did not see playing time or players that I feel do not meet the expectations of this league will be moved. Any other signings will be purely for depth reasons. Thank you for your time.


Players Sold:

David Addy - LWB - 21 Years Old - 66 Overall - Receiving $1.285M from Blackburn Rovers
Manager: David fell out of favor with me midway through last season. We chose to move him as he proved last year he can't handle even moderate talent levels.

Tommy Forecast - GK - 24 Years Old - 56 Overall - Receiving $500k from N.E.C.

Manager:
Tommy simply isn't good enough to play at this level. He now has a chance to play and improve. Maybe one day he will return.

Lee Holmes - LW - 24 Years Old - 64 Overall - Receiving $1.7M from I. Porto Alegre

Manager:
Lee played well for us in the time he saw last year. Unfortunately we will have to go in a different direction with players who are above his level.


Dean Hammond - CM - 28 Years Old - 62 Overall - Receiving $1.2M from Exeter City

Manager:
Dean will enjoy his success at Exeter.


Robbie Arnaud - CDM - 21 Years Old - 64 Overall - Receiving $1.1M from Seattle Sounders

Manager:
Robbie just didn't fit into our plans. We already have a CDM of better caliber ready to play if needed so we decided to give Robbie a chance to play elsewhere.


Bartosz Biatkowski - GK - 24 Years Old - 62 Overall - Receiving $950k from Watford

Manager:
We need players with the ability to play at the top level in English soccer. Bartosz isn't at that level yet.




Players Bought:

Lee Wallace - LB - 23 Years Old from Scotland - 77 Overall - Paying $2.6M to Hearts

Manager:
A position of need, and a great young player to fill that need. Lee spoke to me after the transfer became official saying he is grateful for the chance he is being given here in the EPL and that he will not let us down. We look forward to seeing him in action this year.


Adam Hammill - RM - 23 Years Old from England - 76 Overall - Paying $2M to Barnsley

Adam:
First I want to thank everyone for giving me this chance at top flight soccer. I look forward to joining this group of extremely talented young guys and working hard to get this team to the top.


Rui Patricio - GK - 23 Years Old from Portugal - 81 Overall - Paying $6M to Sporting CP

Manager:
When a player of Rui's caliber is put up for sale it is great news for any club. Especially a club like ours with a huge need at his position. A great young player who looks to be manning the posts for us for years to come

Magne Simonsen - LB/RB - 22 Years Old from Norway - 71 Overall - Paying $1.6M to Molde FK

Manager:
Magne will be the primary substitute at the LB and RB positions. He figures to see plenty of action this coming season at the top level. And will be given the chance to start if any other player slacks off. Or barring an injury.

Henri Lansbury - CM - 20 Years Old from England - 70 Overall - Paying $1.5M to Watford

Manager:
Henri will see plenty of time on the pitch this year as the primary sub at the CM position. Depth was a question at CM and it has been answered with this purchase.

Yaser Yıldız - ST - 23 Years Old from Turkey - 69 Overall - Paying $1.4M to Manisaspor

Manager:
Yaser brings the athleticism, especially jumping ability, that we need from our forwards. He will start off as a substitute but if he performs can easily play his way into the starting lineup.


The Transfer Period is complete. The season begins now.



Starting Lineup:

GK - 2 - Rui Patricio - 81 Overall

RB - 6 - Daniel Schwaab - 74 Overall
RCB - 12 - Jose Fonte - 71 Overall
LCB - 16 - Charilaos Arambatzis - 72 Overall
LB - 4 - Lee Wallace - 77 Overall

RM - 5 - Adam Hammill - 76 Overall
RCM - 8 - Sacha Kljestan - 70 Overall
LCM - 9 - Michael Bradley - 78 Overall
LM - 20 - Adam Lallana - 71 Overall

CF - 3 - Jordan Rhodes - 68 Overall
ST - 7 - Rickie Lambert - 71 Overall - Captain


Substitutes:

GK - 1 - Kelvin Davis - 67 Overall

RB/LB - 10 - Magne Simonsen - 71 Overall
CB - 15 - Danny Wilson - 64 Overall

RM/LM - 21 - Jared Jeffrey - 64 Overall
CM - 11 - Henri Lansbury - 70 Overall

CF - 53 - Erik Fellah - 70 Overall
ST - 13 - Yaser Yıldız - 69 Overall


Reserves:

GK - 66 - Jack Williams - 61 Overall

LB - 18 - Joseph Mills - 59 Overall
CB - 35 - Daniel Seaborne - 62 Overall

CM - 56 - Ashley Noble - 59 Overall
CM - 19 - Morgan Schneiderlin - 67 Overall
CDM - 39 - Massimo Ceravolo - 67 Overall




Goals for the Season:

Avoid Relegation

Advance to 4th round of the FA Cup




Final Thoughts:
Wow. Finally my dream of managing in the Premier League has come to be. Playing teams like Man U and Chelsea. I'm probably going to be in for a rude awakening haha. However I speak for everyone when I say just because we made it here doesn't mean we will let down. We will go 100% every second of every game regardless of score. Our goal isn't just to be here, we want to win. I'm confident in the team I have with me. It's obvious that we don't have superstars up and down our roster. What we do have is chemistry. 2 League titles in 2 years. We have the experience in the big games, a winning attitude, and youthful energy. In my mind we have just as good of a chance as anyone to win in this league. We can beat anyone on any day and you can quote me on that. I have received the goals from the front office and I have no doubt that we will easily complete them. I have to go now as we are off to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea in the season opener. Have a good day.
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