WATFORD AT ST MARYS

Can Saints get back to winning ways?

Providng NA makes a couple of changes, needed to refresh some of the legs but also put some pressure on those on the pitch that their place is not guatrantted, Problem is we have little choices up front. Would expect harding to start at LB if fit, option then would be Fox either at CH in place of Hoovield or to play left side midfield with lallana on right and Guly dropped and on the bench. Would expect hammond to start and if he doesnt use Fox on left then I would start with Chaplow. He adds bite to the midfield and also pops up in the box to score.

Expect a fairly ugly game similar to Millwall but still expect a 2 - 1 win.

Well the match report is a lot different form the one I was expecting to write after first 25 minutes. Saints were poor to start, Watford closed us down, ran at us with pace , had chances and could easily have been in front and would have been fully deserved. Our passing was poor and differnt seem to have any shape. Guly was supposed to be playing alongside Lambert up front with De Ridder out wide. Guly seemd to struggle with knowing where to be and lots of misplaced passes.

Game changed with the penalty decision and I want credit, along with 5000 others, for an assist!! Ball into the box, Lambert sandwiched between 2 Watford players, ball hit a hand, I think Lamberts, lino gave nothing, ref looked to give nothing and 5000 in the Northam in unison went up with their arms and screamed penalty. Ref seemed to look at us then pointed to spot! Lots of protests from watford and their manager seemed to go nuts but Rickie on his 100th game kept his cool and buried the pen in the bottom left hand corner. That was the cue for game to change, although watford were still a threat in first half saints started to carve out chances. Lambert nearly got a second with a near post header that went into the side netting. Then clever play by the enigma Guly saw the ball cut back across goal from left hand side and lallana blasted only to hit the bar and bounce out. De Ridder had a shot from outside box but blasted high and wide as Saints finished the half much stronger than they hard started.

Well bit worried about start of 2nd half as saints have an habit of slow starters but for once we took the initiative. Both Fox and Richardson were getting forward and Richardson especially was delivering some good crosses. From one of these Lamber looked to be pulled down at the back post and ref gave 2nd pen. looked clear cut to me, happened in front of chapel end and I was in Northam so had a good view !!! Didnt bother Rickie who again buried low in the left hand corner.

Saints then up the anti with some really good play, Lambert had a long range effort which went just wide of near post. Saints ability to gift others nearly cost them with Fox and co playing aorund at back, Davis out of position gave watford great chance but Kelvin redeemed himself with great one handed save, why do we make life so difficult!! Chaplow came on for de ridder who had had a good game but thought Chaplow was outstanding. Saints third which effectively killed the game off came with about 20 minutes left. good work on the right with lallana saw the ball crossed into Gul around the penalty spot, he controlled the ball well, didnt panic got onto his right foot and simply passed the ball into bottom right hand corner with everyone expecting to go other way. Clever piece of skill from Guly. Sainst were dominant now and creating chances all over the park. Schneiderlin came on for Cork and Chaplow as so unlucky when he ran into left side of box and volleyed past goalie only to rebound off the post.

Richardson then went on a storming rum and finally decided to go it alone and blasted shot which goalie managed to parry away. great run considering 80 minutes gone, ran about 80 yards and must have been knackered in view of the heat. Chaplow was then unlucky again following the move of the match where saints kept pocession then ripped watford apart Chaplow great shot which think goalie and woodwork stopped from going in, would probably have been goal of the season. Holmes came on at end and was rewarded with a goal, cut in from the right hand side and shot which goalie really should have done better with but is shot on target anything can happen.

Totally dominant performance in second half and as bad as all the players were in first 20 miuntes they all played really well after that period. Now a 2 week break, though not for players as in training on Monday. With 22 points on the board, top of the table with 2 point gap and everyone leaving St Marys with a smile on their face.

Can we maintain this, well still think a striker and centre half short but cannot deny the squad spirit. Will be plenty of goals as saints defence is not that secure at times but can be so good when going forward.

Finally well done Rickie on 100 games and 59 goals. Yes you can be lazy at times and yes that total includes penalties but today you earnt both of those penalties with your presence and I still remember losing 3 - 0 at st marys against watford when we missed 2 penalties. His all round game has greatly improved since he first signed and proving what a great buy.

Davis 7 created a scare then top save to stop!
Fox 7 got forward more second half
Fonte 7 had a tough battle but came out on top
Hoovield 7 was good in the air
Ricahrdson 8 his runs down the flank and dleivery realy make a difference.
Lallana 7 at times still tries to over complicate but unlucky with shot against the bar
Cork 8 poor start like the rest but controlled the middle for rest of game
Hammond 7 not the best fottballing brain but works hard.
De ridder 7 didnt get the ball much to start but improved in the game and learning about the championship
Guly 7 gave the ball away cheaply in 1st half but true class for his goal
Lambert 8 battled away and took his pens so well and was a threat to watford all game.

subs

Chaplow 8 really impressive again and think should be ahead of Schneiderlin in first team place
Holmes 7 good to see he got a goal
Schneiderin 7 not hard to settle in when team are palying so well

Northam end 9 for the appeal leading to first penalty!