Saints played badly but still gained a point.

Saints seem to have lost their sense of shape in recent games and this was very much the case at Blackpool, whilst one can appreciate that Wotte is a little short on options out wide, truth is he could have chosen better for this trip, Morgan Scheiderlin is just not a wide midfield player.

The first half was a disaster for Saints, not only did they play terribly, but they conceded a very dodgy penalty and when Jason Euell was forced off by injury it didnt look good for the visitors.

At half time Wotte re shuffled again, bringing on Wotte for Scheiderlin, unfortunately though it was not a straight swap and meant yet another reshuffle with McGoldrick going out wide so that Wotton could slot into the centre, again this meant that Saints had two holding midfield players in the centre and a distinct lack of pace on the flanks.

But they got stuck in on a terrible pitch and battled against all adversity and as the game went on they started to look like they could get an equaliser although the threat of a second Blackpool goal was never far away.

David McGoldrick took his goal sublimely, picking up on a loose ball and slotting home, it was the type of goal he could score more often if not played out of position.

After the equaliser Saints looked more confident and although Blackpool tried to go forward Saints now looked sharper, there would be no second goal sadly, however there was a final twist when Andrew Surman almost scored with the last kick of the game, his shot rebounding off the inside of the post.

On the plus side Saints showed they can keep fighting, it was a case of a decent point and a step in the right direction, they are still within touching distance of the Clubs above them, who must be starting to look over their shoulders and wonder just how they can throw Saints off their tails. Its now only one defeat in the last seven, which augurs well for the run in, however the game against Charlton is vital, Saints have to win it and win it well, if they do so it will be a satisfying eight game period and one that can provide the springboard for Saints to kick on towards safety.

It would be remis of me to finish without mentioning the away section at Bloomfield Road, its dreadful in what must be the worst ground in the division, an open temporary stand facing the wind blowing in from the Irish sea and made worse by the fact that the goal to the left is completely open and does not appear to have progressed any further towards having a stand built than our visit a year ago.        

Photo: Action Images

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