Saints opened up the 2014/15 season with a comfortable win against Dutch lower league side EHC Hoensbroek.

Ronald Koeman started the season with low key opposition that should on paper at least be a fairly easy start and this proved to be the case allowing the new Saints boss to get a good look at most of his squad including a fair smattering of the academy youngsters whom he has had training with the first team this last week or so.

Koeman played a different team in each half with straight swaps at the break meaning that everyone who played got 45 minutes under their belt including new signing Dusan Tadic, notable absentees from those who played were Morgan Schneiderlin and Dejan Lovren who having just returned from the World Cup presumably are not in need of match practice and goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

It was certainly more of a chance for not only the players to get a feel for the ball in a match situation but also a chance for Koeman to get a first look at his squad in action.

Goals from Sam McQueen and Callum Chambers in the first half were followed by a Billy Sharp penalty and a Steven Davis effort in the second to give Saints a comfortable 4-0 win in front of a decent sized crowd.

For those who were looking for clues about who will Captain the side next season Jose Fonte took the armband in the first half.

All in all this was just what Saints wanted from an opening pre season game, opposition who were resolute but with respect never going to be anything else meaning we could get our squad back into the hustle and bustle of a good game but without the sterner tests that will come as the season gets closer.

Photo: Action Images

slynch added 10:47 - Jul 16 Targett looks better than Shaw?...
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schatfield added 13:28 - Jul 16 Sharps first appearance in 2 years I think it was.....I wonder if he is in Koeman's mind now...same with Mayuka.
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brady100 added 16:44 - Jul 16 Hope not. Simply not good enough. Look at Mayuka 1vs1 in the highlights. Unfortunately we have been stupid enough to give him a 5 year deal, so no doubt he'll be off on loan for 3 years whilst we pay all his wages.
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