BBC have posted a quick club by club rundown ahead of the start of the new season this weekend! I know theres loads of websites doing this at the moment but just wanted to share it as I thought it was pretty good. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14386768.stm If you don't want to scroll through it - the Saints assessment as followed; Manager: Nigel Adkins. Last season: 2nd in League One, promoted. Strengths: Saints have a strong backbone in the side with Championship experience, players like Kelvin Davis, Jose Fonte, Dean Hammond, and Jack Cork - which should mean they're not looking over their shoulders at the bottom three come next May. Weaknesses: Their strikeforce is unproven at this level, apart from David Connolly, but his fitness problems may restrict his appearances. Key Man: Adam Lallana signed a new long-term deal at St Mary's back in January. If his silky skills are as effective in the Championship as they were in League One, Saints will trouble most sides in the division. Seems fair!
Noticed on the Leicester Preview, they are still claiming Matt Mills is from Leicester. I always thought he (and brothers) was from around Swindon way?
Sky Sports have got their Championship Club preview up now....have us finishing 8th. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11689_7066317,00.html SOUTHAMPTON Manager: Nigel Adkins Position last season: 2nd in League One Ground: St Mary's Capacity: 32,689 Players in: Jack Cork (Chelsea, undisclosed), Steve de Ridder (De Graafschap, undisclosed) Players out: Anthony Pulis, Tony Garrod, Callum McNish (all released), Oscar Gobern (Huddersfield, tribunal) Key man: Rickie Lambert Chances: With money to spend there is talk of back-to-back promotions down at St Mary's, and if the prolific Lambert can step up a level, a play-off challenge will certainly be on the cards. Prediction: 8th Sky Bet odds: 14/1 Also Sky Sports expert Peter Beagrie analysed the runners and riders in the Championship..... SOUTHAMPTON Southampton have plenty of players who are pleasing on the eye and their midfield looks full of talent. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana are two of the best young English players around; the former is extremely dynamic and can play in a variety of positions, while the latter is a master creator. They also have two more orchestrators in Morgan Schneiderlin and Guly Do Prado and despite some people's reservations, I think Rickie Lambert can get goals at this level. Add in the experience of Kelvin Davis and Danny Butterfield and if they can defend well enough, they have a real chance.
Just looked at Sky's Pompey review (estimate 14 th place) and was amazed that their ground holds 20,688. I assumed it must be a lot smaller looking at their average gates. As they keep saying they are a massive club compared to us why don't they fill it.
No pressure of expectation this year, I think we'll surprise a few teams and could challenge for play off place with a bit of luck - momentum and team spirit will give us a good start I think.
