CRYSTAL PALACE AT ST MARY'S

Can we get the 3 points? Anything less would be a disappointment after last week's win, but this is just the sort of game Saints are experts at messing up......

http://squawka.com/news/2013/09/26/out-with-the-new-in-with-the-old-why-southampton-should-drop-their-new-12million-man/2013092622779?

I don't somehow think Tino will drop any of his 3 new signings in a hurry. If anyone is to make way for Cork I think it will be Schneiderlin.

For me he needs to drop one of the 3 strikers to play Cork.

Well a comfortable if not spectacular victory. Good decision in my view to drop Rodrigues to bench and play Davis as made us bit more balanced plus gave us an option on the bench, no Lee on the bench.

Bit like the West Ham game with saints looking busy while Palace looked primarily to stop us, nearly got the early goal when the ball was lofted in the box and Schneiderlin had a looping header that went over Speroni but put over the bar by a palace defender. Lambert should have done better when set up by Lallana with a good sight of goal about 12 yards out but put the ball over the bar. Lambert looked lethargic all game but if he was fully fit as he didn't seem his normal self, few challenges hardly jumped. Lambert then had a go from a free kick that brought a save from peroni as he sort of punched the ball clear when he could have caught.

Then had a scare when Chamak managed to get through seemed to knock the ball past Boruc who seemed to bring him down but ref was well positioned and booked the striker for diving. Think tv replays are saying the right decision but a wake up call for saints not to get to casual. We then had a penalty shout when ball hit the arm of a palace defender but after he turned down their one was never going to give.

Palace conceded straight after second half last week against Swansea and a case of deja vu as Saints finally got the goal they needed, and from open play. Cam from good pressure from Saints deep in the palace half which gave Lallana the chance to lay off to Osvalo who controlled the ball before firing home low, Speroni probably could have done better but great for Osvoldo to open his account, similar to the shot he got away at Anfield last week so clearly around the edge of the box is his area. Then like London buses another one cam along! Osvaldo was fed the ball out on left but pretty much nothing on with 4 Palace players around, like a good striker though he didn't panic took the ball forward and bought a free kick as the defenders go to close. Thought a great opportunity as Speroni probably still thinking about the goal he conceded. Cue SRL to stpe up and curl one over the wall onto the inside of the post and in the net. Couldn't be better really both strikers scoring and from that point on saints never looked like not winning, Lambert went really close with a shot just past the post with the goalie well beaten. Palace had some pressure without ever looking like they would score and don't think Boruc had a save to make. Palace did try and close down and on one occasion Boruc cool as anything simply side stepped the player before passing away, he is a character.

Will add some more comments and player scores later

Well now 4th in the table and lots of attention likely to come our way. To be honest when you look at fixtures we really should been on at least 10 points, 3 winnable home games so I do not think we have over achieved, we still have to play the top teams. No doubt though the squad is much stronger, can tell by just looking at the bench and just 2 goals conceded in 6 games is an impressive record no matter the opposition.

Still early days but do think top 10 is not out of the question but we do not look great up front. Lambert and Osvaldo do not look a great pairing with Lambert seeming to go out wide and much less effective there.

Wanyama is an interesting buy, In the first 10 minutes he must have touched the ball 15 times and don't think Adam had touched the ball once! In that he had made a couple of great interceptions, some good passes, given the ball away as well as a couple of free kicks. He is a bit slow but he gets through a lot of work in the middle of the park and is really effective at preventing teams playing out through the middle.

tactically not happy that when we defend a corner we have everyone in the box, we leave no one up front which allows the opposition CHs to come forward. twice in last 20 minutes we did this and both times ball went out to them who either shot or pumped back in. When we had a corner they kept a player forward and we had 2 defenders back. Clearly a training ground tactic used in a game but think will cost us eventually when teams suss out.

Boruc 7 did not have much to do but looked assured and confident through out
Shaw 7 decent game
Fonte 7 looked pretty solid today again.
Lovren 8 another great game with some strong tackles and interceptions and has inspired the rest
Cline 7 did well especially second half when he did not get a lot of support.
Davis 7 not spectacular but hard working and had a shot
Wanyama 7, could have been a 9 if he didn't give the ball away quite so often, did do a number of fouls
Schneiderlin 7 one of his better games this season
Lallana 7 still weak defensively but had a good second half and helped set up the first goal
Lambert 6 quite lethargic and didn't battle much but great free kick.
Osvaldo 7 good he got off the mark, took the goal well, hopefully more to follow, had not looked good first half but better second.

Subs
Ward Prowse (Davis) 6 busy but started right then moved to left.
Rodrigues (Lambert) 6 had a goal towards end but was offside, think longer term it may be him and Osvaldo that will work together best.
Ramerez (Lallana) 6 first touch fancy flick that lost the ball! Still good to have a player of his undoubted ability on the bench

Interesting link to a stat site and Wanyama's game

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/8-2013/matches/694956/player-stats/54756/1_PASS_0802#tabs-wrapper-anchor

Great reports again Matty....thanks!

Good to see Davis getting a game, think he deserves it as always gives 100%.

There can't be many times that Saints have gone 3 Premiership games without conceding a goal.....

SaintMike wrote:Great reports again Matty....thanks!

Good to see Davis getting a game, think he deserves it as always gives 100%.

There can't be many times that Saints have gone 3 Premiership games without conceding a goal.....

Agree Mike about Davis, hard working and allows us the luxury of Adam who will never be able to tackle in his life