Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - Southampton

Southampton Odds: 11 / 1 last five seasons 2005/06 - 12 (Championship), 2004/05 - 20 (Premiership, relegated), 2003/04 - 12 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 8 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 11 (Premiership). 2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup fifth round against Newcastle United (a) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup Second Round vs Mansfield Town (a) - lost 1-0. Scorer 2005/06: Ricardo Fuller (Forward) - 9 goals. Players in Kelvin Davis (Sunderland - ฃ 1,000,000), Pele (Belenenses - undisclosed), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Manchester City - Exclusive), Jermaine Wright (Leeds United - Free), Marcelo Sarmiento (Córdoba - loan). Players Paul Smith (Nottingham Forest - ฃ 500,000), Yoann Folly (Sheffield Wednesday - exclusively), Darren Kenton (Leicester City - Free). Like Coventry City last year, Southampton suffered a torrid time at the start of the campaign. However, they enjoyed a good run of form towards the end that saw them win five of their last six matches and finished the season in twelfth place. Manager George Burley took off a coup in signing Manchester City striker Bradley Wright-Phillips undisclosed fee. The year 21 was a prolific scorer in reserve in the city, cleaning 32 goals in 46 games but managed only two in 40 games with the first team. Part of the transfer rate was funded by ฃ ₩ 250,000 for a fan in a Coca-Cola promotion. After leaving goalkeeper Paul Smith to leave Nottingham Forest in a transfer ฃ 500,000 and only rookie Białkowski Bartosz veteran Kevin Miller in the books and not contractual forms, Burley signed a new number in Sunderland Kelvin Davis. 29 years old Luton Town, Ipswich Town and Wimbledon goalkeeper has signed an agreement three years after its change ฃ 1 million. The midfielder Jermaine Wright, who spent four months on loan last season at St. Mary of Leeds United has made his permanent transfer to the saints, the signature on a free transfer. The former Millwall, Wolves, Crewe Alexandra, Ipswich Town midfielder made 14 appearances during his season at the club last season. Portuguese defender Pele joined Belenenses undisclosed amount and signed a contract for three years. The central defender was 28 years old also had the interest of local rivals Portsmouth, while Santos also said the signing of Argentine midfielder Marcelo Sarmiento on a season long loan from Racing Club de Cordoba. Also this summer, the young defender Gareth Bale scored his 17th birthday by signing a professional contract two years at the club. Bale, who made his debut in Wales against Trinidad and Tobago in May had been linked with moves elsewhere potential final. The verdict form Southampton season has been encouraging and is likely to be a challenge in the top half of the table, instead of languishing in the bottom. You can lose a playoff spot, this time, but could fall within the top 10. David Walker runs free bets and poker sites in the UK. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both sites.