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Can Saints remember how to win??

Two teams no confidence expecting an error ridden game and either a 2-2 or 0-0 draw. Either the defences will continue to leak goals of the emphasis will be on not conceding so few attempts on goal.

Well a disappointing result and not a great game and while will be criticism about the team the reality is we created 10 good scoring opportunities not counting the goal and on another day would have been 3 or 4 up. I think if we were not creating chances I would be more concerned but there are some problems with the team gelling.

Saints again started well and should have scored in first minute. Mane caused problems down the left and ball came back to Tadic on edge of box and just needed to place in top corner but put over, 2 minutes later break down left this time Tadic pulled the ball back for Pelle who sliding in again could not keep the ball down and put over from 6 yards out. Wanyama then had a decent position for a header at the far post but went for near post when should have simply headed back across goal. Mane then had a chance chested down ball on edge of area but then blasted over. Then from a corner on left Fonte nearly got the ball home going for a corner, that ended up with Mane about 2 yards out heading over the bar. Pelle had a header that was a comfortable save and then as you just know what would happen Villa got a goal out of the blue and down to poor marking by saints, poor corner came in and bounced through 6 yard box and lescott at far post unmarked scored. Awful defending that no one took responsibility to clear the ball coming all the way across the penalty area.

Second half pretty much the same though we had lost some fluency, Mane had a shot blocked for a corner then Davis should have done better with a shot after a decent ball in that Pelle tried to overhead kick, he needs to start keeping simple. Wanyama hurt himself committing a foul, stupid tackle he was wrong side of player, never going to get the ball and gave away ball in a dangerous position. At least that meant he went off, another poor game and thankfully Koeman finally took of Tadic who was a total waste . Romeau came on along with Juanmi and at last we started pressing again. Juanami caused a few problems with his running and had a great chance having got free but his shot was well saved by Guzan.JWP took a couple of free kicks from wide on left and caused some problems, saints finally got the equaliser and similar to the goal conceded, corner from JWP went to far post with no one defending and Romeau poked home for a similar scrappy goal. Saints continued to press, Long had a long range shot that went into side netting and Villa players kept falling over injured needing trainer attention then immediately when back on were sprinting away, Referees are so weak, booked their goalie for time wasting after he had been doing for 80 minutes, if they just clamp down early they wouldn't do it!

Incident in first half shows an issue for me, free kick outside Villa box JWP took ball to take and Tadic took off him and clearly JWP wanted to take, Fonte got involved and sure JWP was going to take when Tadic ran up and took. Typical Tadic free kick no power and hit wall at knee height. Waste of a great position and I think a split between some of the players, Tadic yet again poor, blames others for his mistake and thinks he is better than he is.

So 2 points dropped but a defeat would have been a disaster and there were positives there, defence, Cedric, Fonte, Virgil Bertrand looked solid, JWP had a decent game Mane worked his socks off, Juanami at least created some danger.

Stekenelburg 6 didn't have much to do and no fault for goal, doesn't inspire confidence though should have come for a ball that gave Villa one of few chances
Bertrand 6 could have got forward more, he doesn't seem to work well with Tadic
Fonte 7 at least he was able to tell people where to go, didn't look fit though
Virgil 6 fairly solid , not spectacular, played with a patch over one of his eyes so did well
Cedric 7 had a decent game, should always be first choice for RB position
Wanyama 5 think he wants to be somewhere else, put him in reserves and sell him in summer if he doesn't want to commit to saints.
Davis 5 poor game arguing quite a bit with Pelle in first half
JWP 8 bit generous but thought he was MOTM as thought his work effort deserved, put in a decent shift and set pieces were a threat he needs to put Tadic in his place.
Tadic 5 made a couple of decent passes or would have been lower, Koeman needs to stop protecting him, not good enough to be in starting 11
Mane 7 worked hard, but should have scored
Pelle 5 pretty ineffective today, again should have scored and still tries the impossible as opposed the simple.

Subs

Romeu 7 looked solid in middle and at least got the equaliser
Juanmi 6 brought a bit of pace and creativity, hope he gets a chance as sub from now on.

Final question where is Harrison Reed? Davis was poor and we have lacked energy in recent weeks and yet not even on the bench. Come on Ronald give some of the kids a chance trust me they can't be worse than likes of Tadic, Martina, Caulker

Excellent report Matty, thanks again

Thanks Matty for the incisive report.