Cracking atmosphere from first to last. If only we'd played with that spirit and tightness at the back for the rest of a very uncomfortable season. Hoedt's best game since Palace away and Yoshida and Stephens were very good too. Shame about the last seconds but thankfully it didn't dampen spirits although I had a sudden flash of horror as I imagined Swansea had had a good second half and won 11-2. As many (including players) have said, this season has been a serious reminder that we can't rest on laurels and cruise to 8th. I hope most of the players stay and build on the last few weeks and that we get one or two new folk in including a proven striker. We've basically got a good squad (with one or two vacancies available) that have not played well enough all season until the last few weeks. With the change of manager came a change of heart.

5

Can’t wait to hear what Les and Ralph have to say, should be interesting 😉

5

We were too easy to play against. Giving them.to much time and space. Never really putting them under pressure.

0

Who gave Fulton marks? Shocking performance but for the goal.

-1

Why would anyone expect basically the same team to be suddenly better than they were last year? Eze of course showed some real class and I was impressed with Kakay who, after looking nervous early on, got forward well and grew in confidence.

The real question is that although we all (or mostly) think Scowen, Luongo & Freeman did well last season as the heart of our midfield, actually overall we were poor then and continued to be poor today. As the engine room of the team they promise more than they deliver. Perhaps Maclaren can get them to dominate games, in which case, with Eze playing in the 'hole' the future could look good. But at the very best the jury's out.

Three positives: defence were unlucky - surely not a penalty, and maybe offside for the first goal, but borderline at best, Kakay and Eze offer glimpses of a bright future and Leistner reminded me of Steve Palmer. Even his Mum wouldn't say Palmer was the best centre half we've had, but he was the right man for that time - dogged and determined and raised the level of players around him. Can I hope Leistner will do the same?

Oh well...a long, tough season ahead of us.

5

Wrong system played in the first half. Much better in the second and the team needs to blend. Build-up play too slow. McCarthy still making brilliant saves but this business of passing out from the back is really risky - not just for Saints but many sides trying to emulate the Spanish. Either be sure or don't do it.

7

The presence of Ings and Ely changed the whole attitude of Saints. At last they look like they can weave through a defence. Redmond did his bit , goals must surely come.

6

The presence of Ings and Ely changed the whole attitude of Saints. At last they look like they can weave through a defence. Redmond did his bit , goals must surely come.

-1

Took us quite a while to get going and get organised at the back, preferring to panic and hoof it clear, or f@nny around with it on the edge of our own box and then have to hoof it.

16 mins before our first shot, but despite our shape and formation, still carved out some decent chances with Lemina's flying header (well saved), Armstrong's cross shot across the face of goal, a possible penalty from a corner and a couple of blocked shots.

That said, we needed McCarthy to save us on a few occasions in the first half. His best was with his feet after a defensive header set up the best chance of the half. He also saved well at the far post at the end of the first half and also in injury time.

The injury to Armstrong (hope nothing serious) prompted personnel and formation changes. 442 proved a lot more lively and we suddenly had players willing to run at Burnley, take people on, intricately pass in and around the box and create chances.

Much better all round, apart from that final ball and a little bit of luck. Hart made some good saves and when we did hear him, a defender was on hand to head it off the line. Ely, Bert and on a few occasions, Stephens, all should have put in better balls or crosses but chose the wrong options.

Still, probably a fair result against the team playing it's 4th competitive game of the season, but why they have to dive so much is beyond me. Cork, Lennon and even the biggest culprit Wood !!

No real stand outs for Saints apart from perhaps Lemina, but the 2 subs were lively and we were a different side with them.

5

Not sure why we'd start out the season, and at home, and to a low scoring team, with such a defensive formation and such predictable tactics. But Hughes changed it at half-time and the second half approach was much more positive. Some real pluses from the match: include Ings looking as though he has goals in him, Vestergaard able to cover up the inadequacies of the other two CBs, and more smart goalkeeping. Trying to remain optimistic!

4