A look at every individual performance in the great win over Newcastle United that sent the Magpies home pointless once again.

Fraser Forster
Another decent display from the goalkeeper, who if he keeps up this form must surely start to push Joe Hart for the role of England's number. In many respects had long periods of inactivity but was alert when called upon and made two great saves which if not made could have seen Newcastle back in the game. One dodgy moment in the second half but that apart was solid
8/10

Nathaniel Clyne
Another great display both going forward and defensively which should earn him an England call up if Roy Hodgson has any sense, is really starting to mature now as he starts his 3rd season in the Premier.
8/10

Jose Fonte
Again another solid display from the Captain, perhaps for the first time at the club he knows he cannot take his place for granted this season and that should hopefully keep his performances to this level.
8/10

Toby Aldermoor.
Should be given the freedom of the suburb of Southampton named after him with a display that was described in one paper as the best Premier League debut of the weekend. He seemed to have the right combination of cool quality on the ball along with the knack of knowing just when finesse had to go out of the window, looked just the kind of player that Koeman likes ie comfortable on the ball.
8/10

Plastic Bertrand
He and Clyne offer a twin attacking effect that we didnt have last year, his pace gets him forward and he is forming a partnership with Tadic that was highlighted with the opening goal, where he made a great run into the penalty area and then put in a pin point cross,did we see that from Shaw last year ?
8/10

Morgan Schneiderlin
A great performance from Morgan who seems to be flourishing under Koeman and might just have had the right decision made for him this summer, if he continues like this, he will go to a far better club than Spurs.
8/10

Jack Cork
A surprise inclusion in the starting line up, but he justified that decision with another hard working display that saw his first goal in the Premier League, this time last year Cork was ostracised, now he knows that he is under a manager that selects on merit not out of habit.
9/10

Steven Davis
You now what you get from Davis and we got it again, he is one of those players who you often dont notice till he is not there, but he works hard, wins the ball and uses it simply and well, like Cork its his ability to pass swiftly that turns defence into attack and catch the opposition on the back foot.
8/10

Dusan Tadic
Fast becoming the heart of the team, seems to be somewhere involved with every goal, for the first he received the ball and then chipped a ball just a few yards but it split the defence and allowed Bertrand to cross for the opener, for the second he could have taken it on and scored but was aware that if he squared it to Pelle it would be an open goal, unselfish and superb.
9/10

Shane Long
There are some who question the signing of Shane Long, I don't he played a vital part in the first half on Saturday, his speed panicking the Newcastle back four, it is all about options and Long offer a good one, on another day he might have had a goal and a penalty.
8/10

Graziano Pelle
On his last outing at St Mary's there were some who had made their mind up about Pelle, perhaps they had a point, but they had been so blinkered as to not give him a fair crack of the whip, but he showed he learns fast and he deserved his two goals, but his game is more than just scoring, he is vital when we are defending corners etc and he links up well as was shown with the third goal.
9/10

Subs
Wanyama
The right substitution at the right time, Wanyama came on at half time and broke up the Newcastle midfield just as they had started to get on top before the break, I like Wanyama he is a great player but sometimes just as much as you have to drop a flair player because you need workrate, you don't always need Wanyama, but that won't be that often.
8/10

James Ward Prowse
A nice little cameo from JWP and a nice little pass to Morgan for the 4th goal, Saints at the moment have 5 quality central midfielders, they can't all play, but they all have different attributes and that will benefit us in the long run.
8/10

Florin Gardos
Didn't get much game time on the pitch, but it was important to get him off the bench and not only show him he is a valued member of the squad, but give him a taste of what the Premier League is all about.
8/10

Ronald Koeman
I cant speak highly enough about him at the moment, as at West Ham made the right substitutions at the right moments, he seems to have that ability to look at a game and think three steps ahead of where it is going. He seems to be getting the best from his players and the team spirit seems to be stronger than before.
9/10

The Match
There are some who will say that beating Newcastle is a formality given their current crisis, but going into this game they would have jumped above us if they had won, their only defeat was a home loss to Man City, so they are not a bad side they are just being dragged down by the situation off the pitch. For a period in both halves they seemed to get their game together and if they had scored before the break the game might have changed course.

The difference between Saints and Newcastle was that we played as a team they looked like 11 individuals, so although we cruised to victory and they are a club in crisis, you still have to beat them, we did so with style because we changed our game plan as the situation merited and that meant we had a great afternoon and they didnt.

Photo: Action Images

nomorerumours added 09:48 - Sep 15 100% agree with every comment and rating - spot on.
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ChristchurchSaint added 12:45 - Sep 15 Fair assessments- I particularly like, and totally agree with- the comment about how RoKo thinks about the whole picture and seems to be thinking 3 steps ahead Obviously a very intelligent manager and clever footballing brain.
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darthvader added 15:51 - Sep 15 Very good and agree with everything except calling Bertrand "plastic" have I missed something or is it a typo?
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