x

Saints At Bournemouth The Verdict

It really should have been a win, but again the team showed great spirit to come back from a goal down.

It many respects this was almost a perfect performance and it harked back to the Ronald Koeman days when we would base our game on keeping it tight at the back and going on the break, but it was ruined by an error from Wesley Hoedt who was caught in possession.

This was the only blip on the game for Saints although it took a few smart saves from Fraser Forster to keep the Cherries at bay otherwise.

The most pleasing aspect though was the way that the team now play with more urgency and pattern, Mauricio Pellegrino changed things again to suit the game and made the right substitutionsand again the players look like they are now motivated and playing for the manager.

Again it was pleasing for the under fire players to do well, Fraser Frster as mentioned made several decent saves and Nathan Redmond came on and created the goal for Charlie Austin.

Pellegrino seems to have learnt his lesson that if he plays his wide men then he has to give them something to aim for and Austin is showing he is that man.

Sadly though was the fact that despite all the plus points it was only one point when it really should have been three, we outplayed Bournemouth for long periods but could not take our chances and that was ultimately what cost us the win.

But we are now looking more like the Saints of old, it was a pleasure to watch and if we keep improving as we have done in the past week then we can aim for another top ten finish.

The confidence is returning and although we have a tough period ahead we can go into it with relish.

A few Saints supporters are still moaning about the fact that we gave a goal away etc, they have to realice that Rome wasn't built in a day, we are starting to move forward again, we are only 7 points off of Burnley who are seen as this years surprise package, we put together a good run and we can be up there with them and challenging for 7th place.

But the Saints support needs to have a little patience, get behind their team and realice that we can keep moving forward a Little each season, but it can't be smooth every year, we just need to keep ourselves in sight of that top 10 and then 7th place and chip away at it.

Man of the match was again hard to pick, Charlie Austin probably shaved it not only for the way that he took his goal, but the way he lead the line in general, if he stays fit then he can hit 15 goals this season.

But honourable mentions to Nathan Redmond for the way he ran at the home defence and created the goal, Fraser Forster for again showing that on his day there arent that many better keepers than him in the Premier League and Ryan Bertrand whose overlapping play was a constant threat.

What to read next:

Saints Announce Ticket Pricing Information For Play Off Semi Final
The opponents won't be known until Saturday afternoon, but Southampton FC have announced their ticket pricing structure and how the tickets will be sold to give supporters plenty of time to sort their tickets out.
Time For The Spirit Of Southampton Football Club
Recent months have seen a number of events and issues divide opinion and split the supporter base but as we head towards the play offs it is time for everyone at Saints to kick in the same direction.
Should Russell Martin Put Out Another Reserve Side For Leeds United Trip
Against Stoke City Russell martin selected a side that was very much a second string line up, with the play offs looming should the manager repeat this for the trip to take on Leeds on Saturday.
A Rough Guide To Leeds United
A big big game for just Leeds now, although by Saturday the odds on them going up automatically might have changed slightly so here is all the info for those travelling Saints fans who are still going,
Southampton Should Not Fear Anyone In The Play Offs.
The hope of getting back into the Premier League automatically has long gone, but the season is not yet over and we now have a good chance of getting to Wembley and going up through the play offs, here we look at who we could meet.
Southampton V Stoke City The Verdict
This should have been a celebratory day for Saints fans, there should have been a feeling of positivity, but the truth is that the fight has been knocked out of the supporter base and we go into the play offs with confidence both on and off the pitch at a low ebb.
Southampton 0 - 1 Stoke City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures 2
In the second part of our pictorial look back at some of our games against Stoke City from the past, here we look back at more recent games, so most of you would have been at them.
Saints V Stoke City A Look Back In Pictures
We have looked through our photo archives for a look back as some games against Stoke City over the years, what are your memories of these games ?
Southampton V Stoke City The Preview
Saints go into the last two games of the season with their hopes of automatic promotion ended, even the hope of finishing 3rd is only a point away from being ended, but they do have something to play for and that is getting back the togetherness, character & fight Russell Martin has recently be moaned.