GILLINGHAM POST-MATCH REACTION

Put it here.....

Well AP made the changes for this game and feel a bit done by having paid £23 to stand in temporary stand get soaked with Lambert on the bench! Martin given his first team debut alongside Fonte, Mills given chance at left back with James in midfield.

If some of the players were playing for their future you wouldn't have thought so by the first half showing. No bite in midfield, how often have we seen that away from home, poor distribution and out muscled all over the park. Connolly and Barnard started up front but little decent ball played to their feet.

Gillingham were the better side in first half and had a number of chances but looked like we had weathered the storm when we gave away a soft goal. Long ball down the middle, Fonte and Davies dithered and then instead of collecting the ball, Davies decided to hack clear, kicked straight against Fonte and ball broke to unmarked Gillingham player who put in empty net, where was Otse why the attack was developing. Probably worst 45 min I've seen from Saints all season. Fonte had worst game I've seen, Lallana totally ineffective, James and Otsemobor both poor on RH side.

Second half started with Fonte and Lallana replaced with Lambert and Seaborne. Started poorly unable to keep the ball and under pressure from corners and crosses. From another cross which we simply did not clear ball crossed in again and free header for their CB to make 2 nil. Rain started pouring down and saints fans started to make some noise as decided might as well have a good day out.

Funny enough the heavy rain or noise from fans seem to spark saints who started getting into match. Waigo came on and had a chance with his first touch but not quick enough but was start of at last some pressure from saints. finally got a goal back when Connolly struck from just inside penalty area and then Saints had chance to get the equaliser. Hammond was just wide with a header then Waigo was in a great position but tried to tee up Lambert when he should have just shot. Connolly had a great chance near the end but didnt time his shot and just soft shot straight at their keeper. Final chance was Mills through into box and showed great spirit to get there but no brain as could have run on and might have drawn foul from lumbering defender but tried shot on volley which was high and wide. Just about summed up the day. Few positives, thought Martin had a decent debut considering, Waigo and Lambert both made a difference and Connolly played 90 minutes. Rest pretty poor and if today was decision today will be saying good bye to a few.

Davies 6 Not great game, indecisive for first goal, and to many punches which didnt go far enough.
Mills 6 Did okay and keep as back up to Harding but his crossing was poor wasting some good opportunities
Martin 6 Considering his fellow pros played so badly think he did okay.
Fonte 5 Word is might have been ill before game but certainly worst game for saints
Otsemobor 5 Better second half but caught out of position to easy in first half
Lallana 5 poor game last week even worse this week, totally ineffective
Puncheon 6 does some good stuff then gives the ball away cheaply
James 5 First half awful, terrible passing, had a better second half but not great
Hammond 6 probably our best midfield player on the day
Barnard 6 little threat but little service, went off second half after knock
Connolly 7 better as game went on, took his goal well and played 90 minutes might have done enough for contract

Subs

Lambert 7 made a difference as won the flick ons and gave defenders something to worry about
Waigo 6 made an impact with ability to win the ball, poor choice in not shooting when he had the chance
Seaborne 6 Did okay but looked at fault for marking for second goal though we were at other end of ground

Ground 0 How can the Football league allow a professional Div 1 side have an uncovered end for away fans held up by scaffolding yet allow them to charge £23. Absolute disgrace and yet again shows the FL don't give a toss about fans especially away fans. Nicola for our match against them next year at St Marys lower the prices for saints fans but charge them £30 (allowed to for 4 games) if they insist on ripping us off.

I actually went to a Gillingham / Southampton match at Priestfields.
Twas in 1992 i think - a league cup match.
I was on holiday at Sheerness in Kent (I know) , and you played at Gillingham on a night.
It was a 0-0 draw i think , the same night Boro lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle in the same competition.
Was just as the Keegan era was gaining momentum at Newcastle.

Thanks Matty, as usual a comprehensive report. Pity about the result and the uncovered away fans end.

Had an idea when AP said he wanted to look at some of the squad players could be a disappointing game. I said before the game that playing a couple of squad players could impact on rest of squad that result didnt matter and think we saw that. Based on yesterday think Lloyd James will be one leaving this summer.

I just dont know how clubs can get away with ripping off fans. We paid £35 for wembley and all the facilities and £23 for the joke at Gillingham!