Saints showed that they could have a squad that might just mount a challenge for promotion next season
As with most pre season games nowadays, you cant rely too much on the result as a guide to just how well or badly the pre season plans are going, so just as a draw at Totton doesnt signify that Saints are about to be relegated again, this win against Hearts doesnt mean that the bookies are about to install Saints as favourites for promotion, however it does show Saints fans that there is the basis of a very good squad at St Mary's and if Alan Pardew dabbles wisely in the transfer market in the coming fortnight, then Saints might just start to haul back that ten point deficit sooner rather than later.
This being Alan Pardew's first game in charge rather than being a spectator as he was seven days earlier it meant that his influence was going to be minimal, but already he is starting to shape the team, pairing Stern John alongside Matt Patterson up front could be a formidable strike force if Stern John is signed for another year at St Mary's, however it would be two other players who would score the goals and show Saints fans that if they stay, Saints wont lack attacking options.
Adam Lallana has become something of a forgotten man at SMS, in truth he has barely had a good game since Xmas, meaning that the alledged suitors from the Premier league have yet to come calling, at least not with anything like a decent offer, this could be Saints gain, if Lallana is wise, then he will get his head down and work hard and get back to the form of which he is capable, certainly if he can repeat his goal against Hearts on a regular basis, it could be good for Saints and bad for League 1 defences.
But Gregorz Rasiak also gave notice he is still at the club, whether he will still be there in a fortnight is another matter as perhaps both he and the club would be happy to see another loan spell elsewhere to save on his high wages, but his brace against Hearts were typical Rasiak finishes, if he did stay again it could prove good.
So a 3-0 win was satisfactory all round, with Saints showing that they do have a capable squad, but this should not disguise th fact that there are still weaknesses, in truth we need two central defenders, and that should be a priority, at the back Murty again impressed, but my feeling is that its a case of right man but wrong position, in Lloyd James we have a capable right back, should we be looking to him to fill that position ?
The next couple of weeks will be interesting at Saints and Saturday showed that with a couple of signings Saints might just spring a few shocks this season