There isn't many opportunities to utter the words "We should have won" at Goodison Park but Saturday was one of them on a day when Saints European hopes took a huge knock.

This was a missed opportunity for Saints who really should have put this game to bed long before Everton scored with a rare effort on goal meaning that Saints had to chase the game.

The proble for Saints was that they just could not seem to create many clear cut chances and that has been a problem on the road all season, yes we hit the woodwork twice, but that was from more speculative chances than something truly clearcut.

Again injury meant we had to use a defensive substituteand that meant we could not go hell for leather till the final 20 minutes or so, after Sadio Mane equalised we had a great chance to win it after Shane Long burst through, he opted to try and cut it back rather than have a shot, this was probably the right decision, sadly an Everton defender got a toe to the ball and the danger was cleared for the home side.

This was perhaps the story of the game where Saints had a lot of possession and got forward well, but they just could not seem to deliver that final pass, cross or shot in the final third.

The natives were restless though and a lone pitch invader made an attempt to confront Roberto Martinez and this was probably the best attack of the day from a home supporter basis judging by the reception that the Everton manager was getting from his own fans, who remain unmoved by the fact that they are in an FA Cup semi final next weekend.

But the fact for Saints is that this was really two points dropped despite it being as good a result that we have achieved at Goodison in the past two decades, Liverpool are now level with us on points with two games in hand and West Ham a couple of points ahead with a game in hand. This was a day when we could have and should have taken a big step forward, in reality it was one sideways but it feels like several backwards.

This is perhaps a measure of where Southampton Football Club have progressed in the last couple of years, two years ago this position in the League was seen as superb, now it is viewed as normal and we are looking upwards.

This result may mean that European football does not return for a second year running, but it does mean that Everton in 11th are 10 points behind us albeit with a game in hand, that being the case then the draw almost certainly assured Saints of a third consecutive top ten finish, for only the second time in our history with the first being 34 years ago in 1982.

So this game was not a total disappointment but another step forward, the future is still very bright, we will suffer setbacks along the way, but we are still in a great position.

Photo: Action Images

schatfield added 10:39 - Apr 18 we have to beat Villa now with a confidence boosting hammering and really start to hope Liverpool and West Ham lose those games in hand, otherwise 8th and no Europe it is. You are right, expectations are higher now these days. (did JRod play on Saturday?)
1

SaintNick added 10:48 - Apr 18 J Rod came on with 18 minutes left, he looked fine and raring to go
1

bstokesaint added 12:43 - Apr 18 I don't like to dwell on it, but it feels like this season finished a long time ago for us, after we undid a good start by a woeful middle period. It feels like we are just going through the motions now. I hope that next season Ronald will pick our boys up, and inject some new life into them and oust those "not on the bus." Maybe also bring in a couple more players who will create some more opportunities for our front men. With Austin and Jay Rod fit we’ll definitely have firepower. It will be disappointing not to get Europe again, but maybe if we flip it and say we're better without ‘the distraction’ then we can try and do a Leicester next season. I’m not suggesting we’ll make a title challenge, but it does prove that the Champions League spots might not be as unobtainable as we once imagined, when numerous people scoffed at Cortese and the early dream setters. Leicester certainly aren’t a team of superstars, but a good team spirit goes a long way.

4

simmo400 added 12:50 - Apr 18 We could not defeat an Everton 2nd eleven. Shows we are treading water and dont deserve to be in Europe. season over.
2

SonicBoom added 13:09 - Apr 18 Be interested to know who you think is "not on the bus". One thing I'll say for this squad is that they all look together and behind the manager. Some players have ups and downs of form but generally they have looked like they're at it.
1

SaintNick added 13:26 - Apr 18 We are 7th in the League ony two points behind West ham in 6th which is a European place, yet some people think the season is over !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

Consigliere added 14:09 - Apr 18 Obviously this was a disappointing result but I really can't go along with the naysayers who think our season is over or that we are treading water. The truth is that Saints played well in this game and deserved to win. The margins of success at this level are very narrow and an extra 5% would have got us over the line. From what I saw of the match the players are all still up for it this season and are a cohesive unit and from everything I read in the reliable press (not much of that I grant) the manager definitely has their trust and support. It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings! I think its unlikely that we will get into Europe but there is still (just) enough left of this season to be hopeful.

1

SanMarco added 14:19 - Apr 18 I reckon we need at least 3 wins for 6th and possibly a draw on top of that. We ought to beat Villa and Palace - it's the other two that will be tough. I think we are going to come 8th with 57/58 points and I reckon that's pretty good given how poor we looked at the start of the season and of course that dreadful winter slump.
2

schatfield added 14:33 - Apr 18 If only liverpool and hammers didnt have games in hand I thought we might do it, as it stands I think we may run out of time, hence my thoughts on ending 8th. Still, thats not a bad end.
1

saintsnutcase added 15:24 - Apr 18 The really good news, as Nick hinted, is that JRod actually looks fit this time -- in his first comeback, he didn't look fit at all.
1

SaintPaulVW added 16:05 - Apr 18 If Spuds are considering themselves in with a chance of winning the league we definitely have a chance at finishing 7th. We may finish 8th but I'm sure Ro Ko wants Europe. A few slips by Liverpool and an off day for West Ham and we are right back in it. Shame we couldnt grab the 2 points on Saturday but a point away is always something.
1

SanMarco added 16:43 - Apr 18 "a point away is always something. " - wont be on Saturday SaintPaul
0

SanMarco added 16:43 - Apr 18 Next Saturday I mean...
0

SaintPaulVW added 17:53 - Apr 18 True dat. Pretty much Sh*t or bust from now on.
1

SaintGeorge added 19:37 - Apr 18 "The proble for Saints was that they just could not seem to create many clear cut chances" - I really like the idea of the "Proble" - a sort of insurmountable, eternal sticking point, of which "problem" is the diminutive. Applies perfectly to our hundred and thirty year inability to convert quality into victory.
0

saintmark1976 added 20:50 - Apr 18 Strange game football. Everton slaughtered us at St Mary's at the start of the season but looked dreadful on Match of the Day on Saturday. Also some idiot ran on the pitch to berate their manager even though they are in the F A Cup semi final. Obviously not happy times to be a Blues fan.
1

saintmark1976 added 20:50 - Apr 18 Strange game football. Everton slaughtered us at St Mary's at the start of the season but looked dreadful on Match of the Day on Saturday. Also some idiot ran on the pitch to berate their manager even though they are in the F A Cup semi final. Obviously not happy times to be a Blues fan.
0

IWOZTHERE added 22:13 - Apr 18 It's not just 'on the road', it's happened at home several times where we've not converted dominance into goals. We just can't break down a massed defence. We've got two (+Jay) lightning quick forwards who need passes into space, not balls behind them into crowded areas. Tadic was outstanding, but he invariably does his tricks and slows play down. He's a valuable player but is he a 'good fit' , I'm not so sure.

2

IWOZTHERE added 22:24 - Apr 18 Sorry, to agree with Nick, lots of chances but poor quality again. Slow build-up = crowded defence= rushed shots etc ?
2

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls