Rivals Portsmouth FC sunk to 22nd in the Championship after being handed a 10-point deduction by entering administration mid-season and never recovered from the blow. Player of the Season, and winner of seven of the club’s nine supporters awards, Jason Pearce has since signed for Leeds United after the team’s relegation was confirmed.
Further westward, AFC Bournemouth suffered a rollercoaster season in League One, experiencing the turmoil of a relegation battle and the joys of promotion hopes before settling for a mid-table position. Following a string of unimpressive results, interim manager Paul Groves replaced Lee Bradbury in charge but his attempt of steadying the ship is yet to be determined.
There were however a few notable shining stars in all three south coast teams and here at BUzz we’ve constructed a South Coast Dream Team. Whether the team is destined for supremacy or mediocracy, you decide.
GK: Kelvin Davis (SOU) – Southampton captain, Davis’ form in goal has helped the team record the third highest defensive record in the Championship. Davis featured in the Championship Team of the Year this season, his third team of the year title in as many years.
LB: Dan Harding (SOU) – Having played at U21 level internationally, the Saints left-back earned a new contract during this season after impressing manager Nigel Adkins. Less known for his scoring ability, Harding’s box-to-box wing-play made him a constant threat both in attack and defence.
CB: Jose Fonte (SOU) – Big things were expected of the well-travelled centre-back after being heavily voted as Southampton’s Player of the Year last year, and Fonte has answered his critics majestically. Fonte scored the decisive goal in Southampton’s final game of the 2011/12 season, securing their promotion into the Premier League.
CB: Jason Pearce (POR) – Portsmouth’s Player of the Year took away all but two supporters awards after a solid season in the Portsmouth back-line. Pearce had previously held the captain’s armband at Bournemouth before moving to their south coast neighbours.
RB: Greg Halford (POR) – With Premier League experience, Portsmouth’s versatile right-back cemented his place on the wing after serving a season at centre-back previously. His performances last year earned him a three-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2014.
LM: Scott Malone (BOU) – After signing on loan from Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, Malone soon became a Cherries favourite and earned himself a permanent contract and extension in his first year at the club. He is now Bournemouth’s first-choice on the left wing.
CM: Marc Pugh (BOU) – Named AFC Bournemouth’s Player of the Year, Pugh’s controlled midfield play, combined with an ability to play both on the wings and up front, has made him a Dean Court talisman, and a constant threat to defences countrywide.
CM: Adam Lallana (SOU) – Having featured in the League One Team of the Year in the 2010/11 season, Lallana was beaten to the Championship Player of the Year award by teammate Rickie Lambert after his 13-goal tally this season earned him runner-up spot. His international credentials include playing in the England U18, U19 and U21 teams.
RM: Shaun MacDonald (BOU) – With a toe injury setting the midfielder back midway through his debut season at Bournemouth, MacDonald soon recovered to become a regular starter for the Cherries. MacDonald put in various man of the match performances during his 21 games at the club, and he is expected for even greater things with continued full fitness.
ST: Wes Thomas (BOU) – Initially joining Bournemouth on loan, Thomas secured a permanent contract with the Cherries in January after a dynamic scoring form lifted the team from relegation strugglers to promotion pushers. The player adapted well from non-league football to score 11 goals in his first league season.
ST: Rickie Lambert (SOU) – The Saints’ season next year could rest on this man’s shoulders. If he continues his hot form into the Premier League, their survival would be all but sewn up. Calls for Lambert to join the England set-up are even being made, and with 31 goals in 45 games in all competitions this season, these are rightly justified.
