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Saints V Liverpool The Verdict

A disappointing result in a disappointing game with Saints failing to take the game to Liverpool and falling for two sucker punches.

Saints fans were once again in meltdown after the game after the team put in a poor performance and handed the game to Liverpool on a plate getting caught on the counter attack early in the first half and after that the tone of the game was set and Liverpool dictated the pace.

The first goal was a series of defensive mix ups with the biggest culprit being Wesley Hoedt and the second although excellent from a Liverpool perspective in it's build up was disappointing from a Saints viewpoint.

Saints looked ok in the first half, but the second the visitors allowed them to have plenty of the ball but few chances were created.

Ironically although Saints had 10 less shots than the 16 that Liverpool had, they had the same number on target 4.

The worrying thing in this game is that for one Mauricio Pellegrino picked a team that most of the crowd agreed with, the substitutions were attacking and the manager could not be accused of not trying to win the game, his team thouh seemed to lack the verve and confidence that they had a week earlier.

This is a blow, but it is not a terminal one, we now need to regroup and once again use the FA Cup as a catalyst, there are plenty of games left, we now need to stay focused and pull clear.

This is not a time for moaning and finger pointing, it needs the supporters to be firmly behind their team, now is the time for Saints fans to be part of the problem not the solution, it needs Saints fans to take the positives and banish the negatives, if they want the players to do that, then it is only fair that they do that themselves.

It is not the fans fault the team is in this position, but that is football, there are no guarantees, you buy your season ticket with only hope, not a written guarantee that it will be entertaining.

Older fans who remember the epic relegation battles of the 1990's will tell you, we have been in a lot worse situations that this, with a lot worse players wearing our shirt, they were inspired by the supporters, that is why the likes of Francis Benali were legends, they gave their all and the supporters got behind them.

It is not something to be proud of in a relegation battle to tell the world on social media that you are not renewing your season ticket etc, if that is what you are going to do, then fine it's not up to me to tell you what you should and should not do, but do it quietly and without fuss and let those of us for whom following a football team is not just about the good times but the bad as well, get on with the job of supporting the team and hopefully inspiring it to safety.

Then and only then will we have the inquest, when we are mathematically safe.

Till then either be part of the solution not part of the problem, harsh words, those who support the team through thick and thin will not get offended by what I have said, I know this will touch a few raw nerves, but so what, only one thing matters and that is Saints getting clear of relegation, it is what it is, lets get on with the task in hand with what we have !

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