Southampton Reflect On An Amazing 2012: Part One

The year of 2012 has seen plenty of memorable sporting action for everyone to talk about for years to come. It was no different for Southampton Football Club. The Saints enjoyed a superb second half to the 2011/2012 season by securing their second consecutive promotion to the Premier League. It would be the first time in seven years, that the club would play in the top flight of English football and so far, it has been a mixed campaign for Nigel Adkins. Despite this, the Saints are gathering some form which can only bring positives into the New Year.

Derby Stoppage Time Drama As Saints Return To The Top

Southampton returned to the top of the Championship despite a late equaliser from Portsmouth at St. Mary’s. Billy Sharp put the Saints in front before Chris Maguire’s thunder strike levelled for Pompey before half-time. Sharp headed in from Adam Lallana's corner on  89 minutes before David Norris' stunning volley rescued a point in dramatic fashion. Southampton are now top only on goal difference to Reading while Portsmouth remain in the relegation zone, six points from safety. 

El Clasicoast Part II Is Almost Here

The wait for the 215^th South Coast Derby is almost over. It could be one of the most important derbies to date concerning where Southampton and Portsmouth will play their football next season. Since the 1-1 draw at Fratton Park back in December, there have been numerous happenings at the two clubs with Saints flying high at the top of the Championship and Pompey lingering in the relegation zone after a 10 point deduction for going into administration. This is the fixture that every Saints and Pompey fan would have looked for when the fixtures were released last June and now El Clasicoast Part II is on the horizon. 

Southampton Survive Leeds Storm To Stay Top

Southampton grabbed another vital away win in the Championship after a 1-0 success at Leeds. Rickie Lambert's first half volley was enough to separate the 2 teams at Elland Road. Leeds pilled on the pressure however Kelvin Davis produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep the Lilywhites at bay. The result extends Southampton's lead at the top to four points over West Ham who travel to Cardiff this afternoon.

The Run In Starts Here

The hard work begins now for Southampton as the season now heads into the penultimate month of the season. It was a very good February for the current Championship leaders picking up an impressive 11 points out of an available 15 which included a vital draw at West Ham and comfortable victories against Derby and Watford. The games come thick and fast as Nigel Adkins and his team gear up for an exciting and vital period at the club with only 13 games left before the season ends on April 28. 

2011: A Year To Remember

What a year it has been for Southampton Football Club! On and off the pitch, the Saints have been breaking records alike during 2011 and are in a great position to emulate Norwich City's achievement of back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. After an eventful 2010 which included winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley and a managerial change which kickstarted their promotion charge, nobody would have predicted the amount of success that would come towards the way of the Saints.

Lambert Hat-Trick Seals Win Over 10-Man Seagulls

Rickie Lambert secured his third hat-trick for Southampton as they cruised to an impressive victory over ten-man Brighton. The match came to life in the second half as Lambert headed in at the far post from Frazer Richardson's cross just after half-time. Brighton defender, Mauricio Taricco was sent off after complaining to referee Peter Walton about the first of two penalties which changed the game. Lewis Dunk and Inigo Calderon comitted the fouls which Lambert both converted from the spot to secure the win.

Flying High at the Top

Who would have thought it? 16 games played, 36 points on the board already and lead the npower Championship by 5 points! It has been a sensational start to the 2011/2012 season for Southampton after an abysmal few years with relegation from the Premier League in 2005, administration (April 2009) which condemned the Saints to playing in League One along with the numerous amount of changes behind the scenes.