SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: POSTMATCH REACTION

Put it here......

Well 3 points, a clean sheet, 4 wins in a row and Bournemouth, Orient and Huddersfield all dropping points so a pretty good weekend even if Brighton won again. A hard fought win not at our best, again, but at this stage of the season all that counts is the result.

Bright start by saints with good backing from the fans, Lambert was pulled back by Wed defender who was booked and took the free kick which was well struck but reasonably easy save for goalie. Lallana had a shot over the bar but game turned into a scrappy affair. Saints lacked some width as Chamberlain was being played in a central role and Butterfield seldom got beyond the half way line which allowed Wed to get into the game plus any long ball in the air was easy meat for the giants from the north! Jaidi chested the ball down in the box and swung a shot which hit the post but lino had flag up for offside, bit late to us in Northam. Not a great deal of goal mouth action up to half time. Saints had tried to be to clever, again, trying to pass the ball through the middle and with little width.

Second half saints played with Lallana and chamberlain out wide and game became more open. Wed had a corner which went passed everyone and was looking like only a set piece would be the way they would score. A typical Megson side, large, uncompromising good at stopping the other team playing but not a great attacking threat. Saints finally got the all important breakthrough on the hour mark Barnard got a shot away which took a deflection for a corner. I had moaned all game that all our corners were outswingers and we should look to put some inswinging corners and my prayers were answered when Chamberlain took from the other side and delivered his best corner, Fonte made a good run, got in front of his marker and thankfully Wed had no one on the post, and his powerful header went in. Massive relief around the ground and don't know how it came across on the box but the fans had been making plenty of noise trying to lift the team. Second goal came 5 minutes later. Good play by Barnard who got in the box turned his man came back inside and fired a shot which was deflected into Lambert's path who hit a superb shot with his right foot for a really good finish.

To be fair after the second goal result was never really in danger, main threat from wed came form dodgy free kicks being won but the delivery was pretty poor on most occasions. Lallana went close with a shot that looked to come back of the goalie. Chamberlain had a good shot well saved before replaced by Guly then with a few minute left, Barnard and Lallana subbed for Forte and Seaborne.

Davis 7 Competent game for Kelvin, dealt with everything comfortably and good handling
Butterfield 6 Still how he keeps Richardson out, just doesn't get forward and in 2nd half gave the ball away in dangerous position.
Jaidi 7 good in the air dodgy on the ground, nothing new there!
Fonte 7 great goal but does give a way a fee free kicks
Harding 7 better in second half when he got more, chances in 1st half but always when he cut inside so was on right foot.
Chamberlain 7 much much better when played out wide and created problems in second half. More in swingers please.
Chaplow 7 not spectacular but puts in the key work rate and battles
Hammond 7 unlucky with a shot in 2nd half and industrious
Lallana created lots in second half and unlucky not to score
Barnard 7 nearly lost his cool a couple of times but works his socks off and gives defenders problems. Should be starting all the time.
Lambert 7 his all round game is improving and took his goal really well

Subs not really on long enough to score.

Now for Charlton which will be another difficult game at their place but critical we keep up this run and get 3 points, that would put us above Hudders on goal diff and develop a gap between us and Bournemouth and Orient

Thanks again Matty

Hi guys. Well played, you deserved the win. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Thanks Night Owl and hope you guys just hang on this season which I think you will, just! For an hour you made life difficult and if you had held out for 10 minutes more we would have ended up lumping it forward which your giants at the back would have dealt with. Didn't have much threat up front though so do need to be a bit more adventurous but having shipped a few goals lately understand why, Surprised Potter didn't start as always thought he was a decent player.

Have to say not a great Megson fan and he wont win you many admirers but this is a tough league and think he will turn it around.

Hope you saw the message for your birthday Matty!!

http://www.ohwhenthesaints.net/t2454-happy-birthday-matty

Missed it originally Saint Mike but now seen thanks. As I said best present, aside from saints golf towell and ball marker, was the 3 points yesterday!