HOME TO LIVERPOOL

Get 3 points in this and things will look an awful lot better again......but can't see it happening.

I am hoping we will be really up for this, Cedric at RB, long on the bench, looks like lallana and coutrtinho may not play so I think we have an opportunity to put the scouters back in their place. Obviously Mane will be a threat but hopefully he will have one of his off days. 

I would like to see 4 4 2 with Redmond and Austin up front and look for Cedric and MacQueen to overlap and provide the width allowing the extra player in midfield. Think we will get a point but the next 11 days could define our season. Two home games against Liverpool then Everton then two away cup games. If we only lose one then would be happy if tomorrow

Well a well earned point even if we were second best for large parts of the game. The team seemed to lack confidence and seemed to think they were going to lose but for last 20 minutes they showed a team spirit not wanting to lose. The 433 formation had Boufal, Redmond, and Austin up front but for first 15 minutes we sat back and gave Liverpool plenty of space which allowed them to dominate possession. Mane got through but Virgil kept track and blocked his shot.  Then Coutinho had a shot that Forster saved well palming over. On replays may not have been the "world class" Dave Merrington said as was more central than first looked but it was a strong hand forcing over.

Saints rarely threatened in first half with service to Austin non existent, Boufal rarely getting near their box and Redmond ineffective. It didn't hep we had to endure another appalling display from Clattenberg, the classic was when we broke from a corner Milner went right through Redmond, late deliberate and dangerous, a 
Yellow minimum but have seen others sent off, absolutely nothing from Clattenburg. It did though rouse the crowd and a sense of injustice with the players which made us more competitive.  

Second half was similar but we battled better, coutinho was a threat and Firmino chased most loose balls to put us under pressure. Both Couthinho and Firmino missed really good chances  Coutinho due to pressure from Fonte, Firmino a bad miss placed wide of the goal. Saintsbest chance came when Redmond won the ball back, spread to Cedric overlapping with a great first time crosss and Austin got up but headed wide, if he had tried to head back across goal their goalie would have had no chance.

 Long came on fir Boufal and stretched them more , JRod replaced Austin and Reed for Hojberg. Clyne had a header chance near the end and Despite the best efforts of Clattenburg to give Liverpool free kicks saint held on for what will be a boost to confidence. Just wish Puel was a little more flexible, the 3 up front leave the midfield weak and our 3 up front are not good enough individually, they rely on service and our midfield are battling to survive in most games so not providing the chances.

Forster 7 much better all round performance good handling and some solid saves, just his kicking to improve
Cedric 8 big improvement from Martina worked his sicks off, solid tackles and read the game well
Fonte 8 several good blocks and put off Coutinho when through
Vitgil 8 another impressive performance great block in first half top dog in the air
Bertrand 7 much better than last home game just needs to get forward a bit more, had a shot first half blocked
Davis 6 poor first half did better in the second
Romeau 7 another non stop performance, after Clattenburg bottled the booking of Milner he put in tackles to show he was there
Hojberg 6 struggles with his tackles though a tough game
Boufal 6 a few nice touches but no goal threat
Redmond 6 please play him out wide, he is not a central striker and meant he forced Austin out wide left,madness
Austin 6 no service one chance misdirected header but he won the ball

Subs

Long 6 did stretch them for the first time
JRod 6 no threat but worked hard on his side
Reed 6 on for Hojberg near the end and chased a lot

Of to Prague and expect Yoshida, MacQueen, JWP, Classie, Tadic will all come in, having not been involved today  Long  and JRod I expect will start up front, possibly Martina as well so possibly 7 changes from starting line up today

Thanks for another terrific report Matty