Two wins in three months under Will Still has been followed by two win in three days, perhaps showing where our problems lay, again not a perfect performance, but the first one in 17 months where we didn't have to sweat in the final minutes, so it was job done.

When we meet Charlton in a couple of weeks time, the chances are that Tonda Eckert will not be in charge of the tea, certainly those in the Northam Red Wall made their feelings known on who they didn't want to see as the next manager, as anti Gary O'Neil chants were heard at various times during the game.

But this was the only negative chants heard, as Saints gameplan went smoothly and 3 points were well earned.

There was only one change in the starting line up from the win at QPR, in came Finn Azaz and out went Jay Robinson who had struggled with cramp before going off at Loftus Road so presumably was rested.

I said in the preview that the key in this game would be an early goal to keep the crowd positive and to build our confidence, we got this after just 9 minutes when Casper Jander shot looped up over the keeper and despite his efforts headed to the goal, it looked like it had been hacked off the line, the second time Wednesday had to do this at an early stage, but this time the signal was that it had crossed the line and we had the early lead we wanted.

The lead was doubled on 17 mins when Tom Fellows went on a nice little run, and as the visitors defence were expecting a shot he slipped it neatly sideways for Finn Azaz who opened his Saints account with a nicely placed shot across goal that gave the keeper no chance.

We were now in charge and Saints fans expected a rout, but that wasn't quite the case as on 25 minutes the Owls showed they didn't give a hoot about the blueprint for this game and pulled a goal back, the shot took a bounce just before it reached Gavin Bazunu, leaving him little chance of stopping it.

However those Saints fans who thought he should have done better were applauding him a short time later when Wednesday should have equalised, but a top class save from Bazunu preserved Saints lead.

Saints recovered their poise though and nearly restored the two goal lead but another Wednesday goal line clearance thwarted them.

At half time the game looked comfortable, but the doubt was there and could Saints throw this one away was the question.

But with many Saints fans still on the concourses discussing this very issue, came the goal that put the game to bed, a lovely through ball from Taylor Harwood-Bellis saw Adam Armstrong shrug off his marker on the half way line and run through to then deftly place the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.

However those Saints fans who were expecting a goal rush would be disappointed, the lesson had been learned from the first half when a two goal lead was halved, the job was to get three points and rebuild the confidence, we stuck to that task, rather than rush forward en masse and get caught on the break.

The stats that Will Still so much loved, showed a far more even game that it was on the pitch, but we stayed in complete control as we made the right substitutions and kept our shape, there was no scattergun approach, however at half time there was a strange change, Flynn Downes had done 90 minutes against QPR, Joe Aribo would have been the player brought off the bench for most people, but Eckert brought on 18 year old Barnaby Williams.

Williams slotted in without many people noticing, and then Eckert's changes were more measured and less scatter gun than his predecessor, they made sense, Robinson for a tiring Scienza, Roerslev for Fellows on the right and Downs on for Finn Azaz and then fianlly a forced change when Roerslev had to depart injured after being clattered in a tackle and Quarshie came on.

The key to seeing out this game was keeping our shape and that we did, a few more goals would have been good, but we had the game won so we saw it out, we took no risks in the 2nd half we got the job done.

The last two games have not seen us hit top form, but after the last few months that would have been asking a lot, but it has seen us slowly but surely build our confidence and show that under the right manager this squad can challenge for promotion.

As it stands after this weeks round of games, we are now 7 points behind the play off spots and coming in off the rails, being 11 points behind the automatic promotion spot is a big ask, but you never know keep winning games and see where we are come April.

Tonda Eckert has done his job, he has won the two games in charge that take us to the international break, he has won them both and in doing so, has shown that he is potentially a future first team manager at this club, but possibly not just yet.

Sport Republic now have a big decision, after a raft of managerial mistakes, they need to get this one right, this team needs a respected experienced hand in charge, the fans in the Northam made their feelings known that it should not be Gary O'Neil, that was the feeling I got in speaking to people before and after the game, rightly or wrongly his Portsmouth connections are far too strong, he wasn't just a player he was a key part of their success 20 years ago as we dropped down the League.

However is that a good enough reason to rule him out, certainly in Saints fans eyes it is at the moment, however sometimes fan's influencing a managerial decision is not positive, in 2004 Rupert Lowe ( Sorry I should have said the Right Honourable Rupert Lowe MP for Great Yarmouth) wanted to bring back Glenn Hoddle to the club, the wave of fan protests meant that he could not persuade the rest of the board to back his decision and he went for Harry Redknapp instead, relegation followed and we endured a terrible 4 years before we began our climb back to the top.

So we should judge O'Neil on his track record as a manager and not who he played for.

To be honest that is not impressive, only 3 and a bit years experience, 1 as an assistant, 1 as manager at Bournemouth in a relegation battle season and 1 and a bit at Wolves, hardly inspiring.

Now we need to back the team and back Johannes Spors judgment, in fairness he has been responsible for just one appointment that of Will Still, lets hope he can get it right second time around.

All Photos Via Reuters

OoohTerryHurlock added 10:43 - Nov 9 Personally I don’t want Gary O’Neil under any circumstances.
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Block47M added 10:54 - Nov 9 Thank you Nick, a fair and balanced report. Thought the anti-O’Neil chants made the point.
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SanMarco added 11:05 - Nov 9 Lowe's not 'right' honourable - thank god. The difference with Hoddle is that he was a proven manager who was probably going to be as good or better than whoever came in instead. O'Neil's not worth the hassle in my view. Whoever comes in we may well lose at Charlton and 'O'Neil Out' chants after twenty minutes would not improve the atmosphere for anyone. I hope they don't repeat previous mistakes (no one will be holding their breath - it is SR) and appoint Eckert. Still was a mistake due to his inexperience and age. If we'd won under Eckert at, say, Stoke and then beaten Coventry at home then just maybe but a comfortable win against the poor old Owls does not a great manager make. Let's have someone with experience and clout. I can't stand Rodgers but he has both of those and no Pompey connections I can think of...

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kingolaf added 11:56 - Nov 9 You talk absolute rubbish about Bazunu. He went down in instalments for their goal. Another mistake to go with the one against QPR. He is an absolute liability.
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kingolaf added 11:59 - Nov 9 Other than that though a fair write-up. Agree with your thoughts on the new manager.
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Block47M added 12:06 - Nov 9 Just a correction to my earlier comment: Barnaby Williams did well, he definitely helped to close the match out and put his tackles in; a good contribution.
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davidargyll added 12:13 - Nov 9 A very fair report. That said, I did think the SW were terrible and tbh anything other than a convincing win would have been disastrous No doubt about it though Fellows, Azaz, Scienza and Jander are a cut above the rest and if they keep fit and the new manager sees this and uses them effectively, I can see us climbing up the table. At the same time I do feel that the likes of THB and Flynn Downes are much better players than they have been showing and, if given better and more suitable coaching and with OR to marshall them, really could shine.

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highfield49 added 12:19 - Nov 9 I'm pretty much in agreement with SanMarco with regard to the managerial appointment. Whist O'Neil would be a controversial, and possibly toxic, choice he does have some credibility. Eckert is a steadying influence but unproven under pressure. My concern is that a new manager, with a reputation and ego, inevitably brings in an entourage of coaches and sycophants that want to disrupt rather than build. For me, Brendan Rodgers is as potentially toxic as O'Neil for different reasons. So, who has a track record of strong management, tactical awareness and a limited history of abject failure? Hopefully we'll find out this week because I've run out of convincing candidates. Lastly, to get back on track, great to have another win yesterday. Good to see Williams brought into the fold and a few players are now forming the nucleus of a decent team. Hopefully Azaz can now push on and regain confidence and Captain Jack can learn the fundamentals of defending.

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SaintPaulVW added 13:43 - Nov 9 We now look ok in attack, it's just defence that really needs an experienced head to sort out. Azaz and Fellows look to be gradually improving. Bazunu is an odd one. Some excellent saves yesterday but you always feel there's a mistake waiting to happen. I thought Downs had improved as well although he needs to put himself about a bit more. You forget how young some of these players are tho and the lack of experience in the Championship. Sadio Mane was rubbish in his first season too. Surely Steve Cooper would come back from Brondby for the right offer?

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Farlow added 13:46 - Nov 9 Macarthy is not great burt hes streets ahead of Bazunu whos simply not good enough.Pleased to see Aza open his account,while i,d like to have seen Aribo come on the manager was brave to give the boy a chance and he did well.
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SNPMT added 14:33 - Nov 9 The problem with Bazunu on the goal was his footwork, not the bounce. The bounce only affects the keeper's judgement of how high it will be when it reaches him. Bazunu never got to the corner and the ball got past him. No point in a dive until it's going to get you where you need to be. He needed a lateral 'jump step' to his left before the dive, but he never does that, always diving from flat feet. He can't read the game and plays keeper like an outfield player who's never been coached. Since he has been coached, we can surmise that he is unable to learn.

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Bowlercow added 14:46 - Nov 9 I don't want O'Neil simply because in the two jobs he has had he struggled to get a win percentage ove 30 That barely good enough to stop relegation I would take Carrick but you should realise he plays the possession game like Martin Although from memory they played it quicker I don't like Brenda Bodgers but I accept he would probably do the job justice Bournemouth,PalaceBrighton have brought in unknown inexperienced (in Englan)coaches who have all done good jobs Let's find one of them No rush if we need time Jande could do a few more games

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131153 added 14:56 - Nov 9 A good win but strange also, it could have 4-0 or 3-3 at half time. The early goal in the 2nd half effectively killed the game. As many have said a poorish SW side but to use a cliche you can only beat what is in front of you. I thought Barry Bannon was excellent for them and probably had 80-100 touches more than anyone else. I don’t really want O’Neill as manager but would have him in front of Brendan Rogers any day, can’t stand the man.

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131153 added 14:56 - Nov 9 A good win but strange also, it could have 4-0 or 3-3 at half time. The early goal in the 2nd half effectively killed the game. As many have said a poorish SW side but to use a cliche you can only beat what is in front of you. I thought Barry Bannon was excellent for them and probably had 80-100 touches more than anyone else. I don’t really want O’Neill as manager but would have him in front of Brendan Rogers any day, can’t stand the man.

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Fairweather_Fan added 15:04 - Nov 9 Never known there to be so many goalkeeping experts and/or coaches following one team. and anyone that calls the capital 'Sadiq Khan;'s London warzone' because his wife's Porsche headlights were stolen is not 'right' or honorable' . Up the Saints, hoping for once SR get an appointment right for a change.
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PezzaSaint added 15:13 - Nov 9 Tonda Eckert could be a good appointment. It’s seems that not only can he caretake the team, but he also makes the team. Multi talented 🤭
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PezzaSaint added 15:14 - Nov 9 Tea
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Boris1977 added 17:11 - Nov 9 Is anyone confident that sports rep are going to get this call; right? Based on their track record I'm a little worried. Write a list of managers that you really do not fancy to the the job in order of least favourite and that will probably be similar to their short list. 6 PTS against average teams is fine but the squad is short of quality in vitally crucial positions. If I could sign one position in January it would be A GK, Rambo on loan maybe. COYRs

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YosemiteSaint added 17:51 - Nov 9 Frankly, i don't know why O'Neill is in the conversation at all. It's easy to dismiss him outright for his Pompey connections. But Russell Martin has considerably more success as a manager than O'Neill does, and despite what the players apparently are saying we should be ruling Martin out, too. Surely there are better gaffers out there. For wont of anyone else, I'd like to see Carrick get some consideration; possession ball at quicker pace sounds good to me.

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YosemiteSaint added 17:58 - Nov 9 This is a longshot, but would Gary Monk be worth a mention? He's dropped down the managerial rungs of late, having last worked at U's. But I once thought kinda highly of him, when he was at Swansea. He played for us, and has coached with James Beattie, who'd be nice to have around as well. But this may be neither here nor there, the ramblings of one who's weary of the coaching merry-go-round and grasping at straws.

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bryanK added 18:33 - Nov 9 Ask Bournemouth fans about Gary O’Neill ranges from idiot to hasn’t a clue so forget about the Pompey connection he just ain’t the guy for us. Nick you really did not like Still and it shows. Wednesday were not the worst side I have seen this year and if Barry Bannon was younger I would take a punt on him to give us more direction he never wasted a pass. In the second half as against QPR we allowed Wednesday to come on to us. Is this the tactic going forward? I hope not as we look vulnerable at the back new goalkeeper is definitely the order of the day and we missed a trick not picking up the Rotherham goalkeeper that went to Stoke.

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mushinexile added 19:14 - Nov 9 Right Honourable is a title bestowed on current or former cabinet ministers. Rupert Lowe MP does not qualify for the title.
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halftimeorange added 19:48 - Nov 9 I wouldn't take Gary O'Neill or, indeed anyone else who's been touted. I agree that Brendan would make the players sit up and take notice but, he's artless when he's speaking and not likely to get our supporters on board. When you hear the Northam chanting "We're on the pitch if Damion scores" is hardly a show of encouragement for a mere lad who made no mistakes and exerted a lot of energy in his brief appearance against SW. He showed signs of being a real footballer despite the adversity. And this is what SR are up against, core support that knows better than them but without the responsibility. It's not just about stats, SR - it's about character (which Will Still was patently short on), proven ability (over seasons not all spent in lower leagues) and appeal. I just hope they get it right. And give Damion a break, Northam, then we might find out just why we bought him.

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halftimeorange added 19:48 - Nov 9 I wouldn't take Gary O'Neill or, indeed anyone else who's been touted. I agree that Brendan would make the players sit up and take notice but, he's artless when he's speaking and not likely to get our supporters on board. When you hear the Northam chanting "We're on the pitch if Damion scores" is hardly a show of encouragement for a mere lad who made no mistakes and exerted a lot of energy in his brief appearance against SW. He showed signs of being a real footballer despite the adversity. And this is what SR are up against, core support that knows better than them but without the responsibility. It's not just about stats, SR - it's about character (which Will Still was patently short on), proven ability (over seasons not all spent in lower leagues) and appeal. I just hope they get it right. And give Damion a break, Northam, then we might find out just why we bought him.

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IanRC added 21:27 - Nov 9 Really tough this. Yes we have got six points, but not against the best opposition, and I have big reservations about some of the players he starts, including Jack Stephens of course. My thoughts for what they are worth would be to suggest that Sports Republic take their time to ensure they identify a really good candidate this time and at the same time allow Eckert a little longer to see if he can deliver against better opposition.

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