The sixteenth club we meet in our "League One - An Introduction" is
Southampton
www.saintsfc.co.uk
2008/2009 Season
Last season was their fourth in the Championship following 26 years in the Premiership (including old First Division). They had flirted with relegation in 2007/08 but avoided the drop by two points. But last season they finished next to bottom and also incurred a ten point penalty which will be debited against their points total this season. Their cause wasn't helped as they only won one of their final eleven games.
Their biggest failing was their home form where they won less games (4) than any other side and scored just 23 goals, the second worst record in the Championship.
|
HOME |
AWAY |
|
|
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
4 |
10 |
9 |
23 |
29 |
6 |
5 |
12 |
23 |
40 |
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leading Scorer
Their leading goalscorer was David McGoldrick with 14 goals. The tall striker played in 50 games last season whilst the previous season he had spent the first half on loan at Port Vale.
Manager
The Saints Manager is Mark Wotte. The Dutchman was appointed Manager in January having been their Director of School of Excellence since the start of the season. He succeeded another Dutchman Jan Poortvliet who had been appointed at the start of the season.
Last League Meeting
Our last meeting was on January 2nd 1960 at The Dell where we lost 0-2 in front of 16,793 to the champions elect. Previously back in August we had shared four goals, Jonny Rainford scoring a brace in front of 15,711.
Our overall League record is as follows:
|
HOME |
AWAY |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
|
32 |
8 |
5 |
3 |
27 |
14 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
24 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Previous Highlights
We have to go back fifty years to a real highlight of what have now become our all too infrequent matches with The Saints. Monday 9th March 1959 to be exact. The Bees were pushing hard near the top of Division Three and travelled to Southampton to take on a team who had scored 44 goals in 16 matches. But come the end of the game, Jim Towers had scored four in a 6-0 rout. McLeod and Francis added one apiece. Earlier in the season we had set up the first part of the double with a 2-0 win (Francis and Towers) in front of 12,997.
Ground
Southampton moved from The Dell, where they had been for 103 years, to their current ground in 2001, which was seen as a spiritual return as the club had been founded at St Marys in 1885. St Mary's has a capacity of 32,689 and has been the host for a number of internationals. However parts of the stadium were closed last season for financial reasons.
Attendances
Their average League attendance last season was 17,849 with a high of 27,228 against Charlton Athletic in April, and a low of 13,257 against Sheffield United in February.
Mileage
Southampton, 75 miles from Brentford, is the equal eighth shortest journey for Bees fans this season, pretty much equidistant with Brighton, Colchester and Swindon.
The Supporters Association will be running coaches to every Brentford League away game this season. Reservations can be made at home matches or by calling 020 8941 0425
BET365 Odds to win League One
At 25/1 are equal 11th with Brighton and Oldham Athletic.
