2016/2017 SEASON: JANUARY 2017 FIXTURE:

SOUTHAMPTON VS MIDDLESBROUGH:

We starting the first game of the year at home.  I am putting a surprise line up with the believe that we can secure a 3 points at home after impressive run of good form.  

Negredo will be very key for them in the attack. 

I am start Depay in the attack ahead of Austin.  

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

Impressive win for us at home.  Wonderful team performance particullaly Depay for his first hattrick.  Great win.  

SOUTHAMPTON VS IPSWICH TOWN:

FA Cup match against Ipswich Town.  I am starting the same flank as the previous game and Austin as striker in the attack.

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

A bore 0-0.  Setting attacking mode for most part of our game but we don't any dangerous attempt on goal.  

BURNLEY VS SOUTHAMPTON:

A very difficult match away from home.  We are hoping for a win to stretch our lead.

Keane unfit for this match and Defour will be key for them in the midfield.  

We trying to dominate them in the middle of the park and build up the play from the midfield.

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

We manage to secure a 2-2 draw from Depay great equalizer.  A great goal from Gray as well in this game.   Poor result from us.

IPSWICH TOWN VS SOUTHAMPTON:

FA Cup replay match.  After a bore draw and unsatisfied performance from us.  I decided to start the same squad as per our earlier encounter.  I hope they will go to the match and fight the pride back to our team.  Depay starting on the left as Boufal left to AFCON to represent his country.

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

A poor performance from us.  Bad finishing.  We cannot finish off the chances we created in the game.  Poor!  Early exit from the FA Cup will not please our board.

SWANSEA VS SOUTHAMPTON:

Away from home play in The Liberty will be very difficult.  My assistant were mentioning in the interview that we have to seek for revenge from our early EFL Cup exit against the Swan.

Llorente and Dyer will be key for them in the attack.  Dyer will be supporting the experience striker with his pace to stretch our defensive line.  Ki and Sigurdsson will be dictating their game from the middle.  We have to be wary of all this fact.

We are starting Depay on the right and Pulisic on the left.  I am not happy with the current form of Redmond.  

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

A good performance from our side.  We didn't get our win due to wonderful performance by Fabianski at their goal.  A few beautiful safes from the keeper to keep the team going.

CHELSEA VS SOUTHAMPTON: 

Chelsea is not doing so well in the league at the moment.  They ranked 11th in the table.  I feel they are a good side with tremendous talent in the team.  We have to work hard for full 90 minutes.

Hazard, Costa and Kante will be important for Chelsea.  

Origi is back from injury and we are starting him in this match.   

(Source: Football Manager 2017 game print screen)

Is a good draw for us but I feel we could snatch for a win in the end.  We couldn't make use of our luck after Chelsea 2 sending off.  Good defensive performance from their side after 2 sending off.  Hats off! 

Is not a good month for us.  I think our team focus is not good enough after a strings of good matches.  We need to be consistent in our game in coming months.  Let's support the Saints!