Because of these changes, like many pre season games its hard to take anything from the result and its hoped that Saints will have at least one behind closed doors friendly where something resembling the starting line up for next saturday will have a chance to gel.

New signing Youseff Safri played his first game alongside the other additions in the summer, but it was the players that werent there that posed the questions on fans lipsm, Jonh Viafara hasnt made one appearance in pre season so that wasnt so much of a surprise as rumours of a move to West Brom are still rife, however Pele didnt play and the Daily Echo reported yesterday that he was also in talks with the Baggies about a potential move.

Jermaine Wright played at right back which showed that the manager has not changed from last season in that he wants to play Wright in every game, with competition for midfield places intense, right back could well be the only position open to him.

Saints will be well pleased with a pre season total of seven victories from eight games and it will be that solitary defeat against Lazio that Saints fans will hope will have rung a few alarm bells for the manager.

In truth Saints have a squad to challenge again for promotion, but it does need strengthening in the centre of defence, but if we do that some would say that our squad is stronger than at this time last year.