All the stats that Will Still trumpeted as being great in the last three games, were awful up at Loftus Road last night, but the ones that actually mattered were in our favour as we dug in and earned a well deserved win.

Tonda Eckhert took charge of the team for the first game after the sacking of Will Still and he rang the changes, some surprising and some not so much.

In goal Gavin Bazunu returned to replace Alex McCarthy, on the face of it this was a surprise, but the fact that the goalkeeping coach Will Still brought in, Ruben Martinez had also been sacked along with the manager, perhaps gave clues as to why Bazunu was dropped in the first place, the now restored keeper apparently having fallen out with Martinez earlier in the season.

Jack Stephens has made more comebacks than Frank Sinatra and he also made the latest one in this respect, also in the starting line up was Tom Fellows and Jay Robinson, two players that Still didn't seem to like to start much in the past couple of months.

All of these played a big part in this win, yes including Jack Stephens.

But it was never going to be easy, it was still a fragile confidence and although Saints started well, QPR came back into the game and perhaps slightly edged the first half although it remained goalless.

But it didn't take long to get going in the second, when after 10 minutes Jay Robinson exchanged passes with Adam Armstrong and fired home after a nice little run.

That settled us down for a while we made two substitutions Armstrong off for Downs & Azaz on for Robinson, a change that was wholly necessary because the youngster had run himself into the ground and was cramping up, then when with 20 minutes to go Leo Scienza surged forward and fired a 25 yard shot into the far corner, you thought that this was going to be an easy Saints win, our confidence was returning and we seemed to be holding our shape.

But it changed just 3 minutes later when Scienza was scythed down and had to go off injured, perhaps it was folly to make a double change here, but off went Scienza and Fellows and on came Aribo & Roerslev, clearly we were battening down the hatches.

But before we had found our shape QPR had got a foothold back into the game, they played a ball over the top and caught us flat footed, Gavin Bazunu came out but like his defenders he had been caught short, with the ball at chest height it was going to be difficult to get it and the QPR player got a toe in and they were back in the game.

The last 17 minutes plus 6 of injury time were mainly played in our half, we could have done with Adam Armstrong up front to hold the ball up, but we now had a very defensive line up with 5 at the back 4 in midfield but no natural left sided player which meant Ryan Manning was getting exposed far too often and just Damion Downs up front.

Downs task was thankless, he rarely touched the ball but he ran his socks off and at times got back and defended, but it was now all one way traffic.

This is when we found our spirit, if that was lacking in the last half a dozen games under Will Still, we found it in the final knockings of this game, QPR threw cross after cross into the box and we won virtually everyone of them, when they did get a rare shot on target, Bazunu was up to the task, with one superb save, one of only 5 shots they had on target all game.

We are Saints fans we expected the worst, you sensed that this might be one of those games we did in and get a result, but you also had that nagging feeling we had a mistake in us somewhere.

But we had no time for errors, it wasn't pretty but we dug in, repelled every attack and regrouped for the next one, there were a few dodge moments, but no one shirked their task, not even Damion Downs and we might not have a deserved win on the stats, but we deserved it for sheer guts and effort.

So hopefully we can now move forward, there are still issues, too many subs in a short space of time, undoubtably changed the game from what should have been a comfortable win, but we adapted and fully deserved the 3 points from effort alone.

It would be hard to pick a man of the match, some would say Jay Robinson for his well taken goal, others might say Leo Scienza for his great strike for the second, there were also unsung heroes such as Adam Armstrong who never stopped running and was on reflection taken off too early, even the usual scapegoats such as Ryan Manning who was with no one in front of him after the departure of Scienza found himself double teamed far too often, but got in blocks and tackles.

Perhaps even Gavin Bazunu, who in the final 20 minutes was rock solid, not only with a couple of timely saves, but the way he came and caught balls in his own six yard box under pressure when as we saw in the last few games, McCarthy seemed to punch too often, Bazunu gave us breathing space and stopped the relentless pressure by catching the ball.

The stat that we made 60 clearances in this game, the bulk in that final 20 minutes showed how much we had to dig in, that was from 40 crosses and 107 successful passes from the home side in our final third, perhaps highlighted that there was no one individual that contributed to this much needed win, but everyone of the 15 players that took part in this game deserve a pat on the back.

Now we have to build on this, these 3 points didn't move us up the table much, but it did take us above Pompey and that is one good thing, however if we can get a good win over Sheffield Wednesday then it could put us near the top half, we are now only 8 points behind the play off spots, one step at a time, keep winning and we can get back into the promotion race.

All Photos Via Reuters

cocklebreath added 11:04 - Nov 6 Bazanu rock solid? I’m sure you’re on the wind up Nick, you forgetting the fumble after they scored that nearly gifted them an equaliser? One thing that was great last night was the support, felt like a proper away end.
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kingolaf added 11:12 - Nov 6 Bazunu rock solid. I can no longer take your opinions seriously. He dropped an easy save in front of a forward, gave away a needless corner, conceded a sloppy goal and made one save that was barely head high near the middle of the goal that he made look spectacular. It wasn’t, it was routine. Absolute joke of a write-up. We were pretty poor playing against a pretty poor side.

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Bowlercow added 11:56 - Nov 6 My heart sank when I saw the team sheet I don't like the 3 at the back Even more so when Stevens is in it Hemade 2 gaffs last night but we got away with them We were poor but playing a team who were worse When Manning missed an early chance I thought here we go lagain Unfotunately the chances have dried up a bit so we played out an evenly vvcontested first half. JayRob was full of running and it eventually paid off The pass from AA wasn't good but he did well to turn with it and get the shot off Helped I think by a deflection When Scienza scored that worldy we thought it was game over If one of the Sky6 teams had scored that it would be on a loop on SSN for 3 days at least Then we reverted to form when the subs were made. Every time we make multiple changes we go to pot Is there a case for making just 3 single subs.One at half time,one at 60 minutes and one at 75 That leaves one more opportunity for a late injury or tactical change Very glad to have the win but there is much to do

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underweststand added 12:33 - Nov 6 At last.. not altogether convincing but considering the players who weren't available - it was a welcome and deserved 3 points. We still don't have the right balance in midfield and that will be another headache for the " next manager " whenever he arrives. Two good goals. Jay working a good move with Adam A. and then a very serious message from Leo, and the hope that we will expect more of the same during the season. Armstrong is still our only experienced striker, and when he isn't on form, we usually end up with a blank sheet. After our SECOND goal (oh that sounds good - I'll say it again) the first subs. came on and we had a change of formation and "parked the bus" only to concede yet another "silly goal " and then defend for dear life for the remaining 20 mins. If we can't do a real job on "Wednesday" at the weekend the new manager will have two weeks to botch together another starting side - as soon as he learns all their names.

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Farlow added 12:37 - Nov 6 Ive been a Saints suporter for 7 years and Bazunu is one of the worst goalkeepers weve had. Grea result at least this guy had the nous to start Jayrob not sure about one or two of his other picks.Dreadful game apart from 2 fine goals Onwards and upwards
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saintpete01 added 12:41 - Nov 6 It’s McCarthy for me overall he has safer hands Than Bazunu
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janecook added 12:49 - Nov 6 Anyone who puts Jack Stephens in the starting line up is not fit to be a Southampton Manager!
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IanRC added 12:59 - Nov 6 I think that performance very much papered over the cracks glad to get 3 points but lucky to do so. Stephens made his usual mistakes that we were lucky to get away with. It sounds like the temporary manager listened to the old guard too much. On the brighter side really good link up between AA and JayRob for the first goal and Scienza looks the real deal. Really hope Scienza's injury is not to bad as apart from the first goal others created very little. He was my motm by some way. Hope the team selection is better on Saturday but hopefully onwards and upwards.

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StRipper added 13:00 - Nov 6 That was a battling display by Saints. Not pretty for large parts. All resolved by a bit of quality. Absolutely right to restore Jay to the starting line up too. There were various clangers across the team and THB had a shocker but maybe just what you would expect from a side low on confidence, not settled in their set up and who have struggled to get results. Always one step at a time and as said, its all about the result. I thought Bazunu changed the dynamic at the back and brought more energy and communication. Glad to see him back in the side and I see it as a forward looking decision. Similarly, I thought Stephens was our best defender on the night. We played some square pegs in round holes (e.g.Fellowes as RWB, Armstrong down the middle) , but understandable given the injuries list. The sooner we can bin off 5 at the back, the sooner we will stop conceding the midfield and opening ourselves up to being contained in our own 3rd. Every time we did seem to win the ball in the second half, there was no one forward of the ball to pass it to, so we quickly lost it again. No doubt the 'injury' list will start to clear up now. Job well done to steady the ship by Eckert and the team. Though my suspicion that Eckert prefers last night's formation rules him out of any serious consideration for the job on a longer basis.

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dirk_doone added 13:19 - Nov 6 Anyone who wants McCarthy back in goal on Saturday must hate seeing us win games because with him in goal we have won just 1 regular season game at St Mary's in the last FOUR YEARS.
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Monksway added 14:02 - Nov 6 I suspect that team was picked by a leadership group of Stephens, THB, Downes, Manning, Armstrong,and maybe Lallana rather than Eckhart with the hope of a return by RM.. We were very poor throughout with the exception of Scienza and Robinson who deserved their goals and will earn a few quid for SR when they are sold next summer. The defending was committed but utterly chaotic for the last 20 mins and QPR were a mixture of poor and unlucky. Still a win is a win but I'll be surprised if it's replicated on Saturday against a Sheffield Wednesday side with nothing to lose.

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bryanK added 16:13 - Nov 6 We won which was the main thing. But god we were lucky. If this stand in manager believes the likes of Harwood Bellis, Downes and Stephens is the answer then I am definitely out of touch. The return of Romeu is a major boost for the club and providing he retains 75% of his ability and his honesty it may hopefully sort out the players who think Russell Martin walks on water and they control the dressing room.

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halftimeorange added 16:57 - Nov 6 Let's be honest, we were overwhelmed by QPR for the last twenty minutes and, whilst our players did what they could, it was a miracle QPR didn't score more than one. Overall, our passing through the midfield was worse than awful, ball after ball being given away and that has to be addressed. We need a leader who puts his foot on the ball to stop others regularly losing their heads and direction. As for the GK position, neither Bazunu or McCarthy should be our first choice, in different ways they are error prone. Three points, yes but, confidence building, no.

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halftimeorange added 16:57 - Nov 6 Let's be honest, we were overwhelmed by QPR for the last twenty minutes and, whilst our players did what they could, it was a miracle QPR didn't score more than one. Overall, our passing through the midfield was worse than awful, ball after ball being given away and that has to be addressed. We need a leader who puts his foot on the ball to stop others regularly losing their heads and direction. As for the GK position, neither Bazunu or McCarthy should be our first choice, in different ways they are error prone. Three points, yes but, confidence building, no.

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redwight added 18:32 - Nov 6 I can't believe the last sentence of your report Nick. Any thoughts of getting involved in a promotion race is out of the question. 20 minutes replicating Rorkes Drift against a sub par Championship team does not qualify us to get anywhere near sniffing distance of the Prem. The remainder of the season is about steadying the ship, remaining in the league, and planning for the future in a rather more effective way than we have for the last 5 years.

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YosemiteSaint added 19:08 - Nov 6 Dunno what could have been expected, with a team lacking in confidence and having lost their manager just three days prior. It was always going to be nervy. Despite the inevitable mistakes—for which we largely went unpunished (because you make your luck as much as you ride it)—I saw a side with considerably more urgency and purpose. And though the formation was largely the same, the tactics were noticeably different: We swapped having two-thirds of the possession and nothing to show for it for one-third of the possession and two converted chances we'd ordinarily have missed. In other words, we let the game come to us. It may not have been pretty, but i'm satisfied and think we can build on it.

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pintsizedsaint added 23:42 - Nov 6 I think we were watching different games, Nick! They were pretty average and lacked cohesiveness and confidence. That first half was turgid and only helped by QPR being just as bad. The first goal was a bit of a fluke, but it gave us confidence. The second goal was pure individual brilliance. And then calamity struck. In fairness it’s not all down to Bazunu - we were caught napping and failed to shut down the pass. However the GK flapped and then the whole team went to pieces as QPR sensed blood. Bazunu then flapped at crosses, dropped an easy catch and then gave away a corner in the last few seconds by holding on to the ball too long. Dont get me wrong, the defence is pretty useless right now (Jack Stephens, Manning and THB stand out for the wrong reasons) but that kind of goalkeeping just destroys confidence even more. Thank heavens for Romeu

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zonehead added 13:53 - Nov 7 One of the two good things Will did was dropping Baz and Jack, even though the results don’t quite back that up. Baz is a clanger away in most matches, and has the unfortunate habit of being a millisecond too late when shot stopping.
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131153 added 16:22 - Nov 7 After a couple of days reflection I thought on balance we were the better of two mediocre teams. Our. Overall performances this season I feel reflect the shocking season last year. Constantly changing managers is just plain stupidity. Accepting Arsenal are a much bigger club in every respect they had the balls to keep Arteta and pretty sure it’s going to pay off this season. With regard to the goalkeeping debate may well be possible we need to upgrade but this is not a priority in January just get a CF in the next window. The debate over the current two we have in opinion is daft as I believe Bazunu is the better option. Never forgotten how McCarthy stood and watched Bamford roll the ball in during the last home match of the Covid season. He only had to pick it up! Hoping for a result tomorrow taking my grandson for the first time something I have looking forward to for a long time. Never forgotten my first match in April 1960 last game of the season with my grandad. If we won went up as Division 3 if not would go up as second. Happily we won 2-0.

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