WILL MIDDLESBROUGH STOP OUR RUN OF CONSECUTIVE HOME WINS?

Thoughts on Saturday's match?

Will be a close game as they have only conceded 3 goals away from home. Think this might be end of run with a draw, key will be if lallana plays as will need his skill to unpick their defence

I THINK Nigel will have the team on their toes for this one and I am inclined to think we'll win well today........and then relax and lose to Peterborough on Tuesday.
In any event I somehow can't see us winning both games so the record will be gone by Tuesday night.

Well excellent result , excellent performance from saints and a very entertaining game of football. NA made a slight surprise starting Guly up front
with Connolly on the bench and Butterfield at RB, think Richardson has picked up an injury. Saints made a bright start moving the ball around smartly. Saints forced a couple of corners and Fonte really should have scored when he had a clear header but put wide. Saints took the lead following some good work which lead to Butterfield from wide right hitting a deep cross which Guly met with a firm header into the top right hand corner, behind Northam goal thought it had gone over first.

Second goal came on the half hour mark good work again with a patient build up saw Lallana on the left deliver a good cross to Lambert on right side of goal, instead of going for goal and was a reasonably tight angle Lambert headed back across goal and Guly came in at the back post and headed in a simple goal. Saints were on fire and Lambert went close with a third header which went into the side netting. Guly then could have had his hat trick with good work placing him one on one with goalie, placed his shot rather than blast and agonisingly hit the post and came out to Boro defender who was able to clear.

Boro had a couple of chances, free kick which went just wide. Ennems was put through but Kelvin was out quick to smother and just on half time MacDonald got clear on right side of box, Kelvin came out but he knocked the ball past but fired into side netting.

All in all excellent first half from saints and could easily had 4 goals.

For once saints started second half brightly, Chaplow had ball in net with a header but ruled out for offside. Slightly surprised when Guly was subbed 10 minutes into the half with Connolly coming on. He had a chance ealry on made by Lambert but quickly shut down by boro defender. saints then seemd to loose their way for about 20 minutes as boro's midfield managed to wn the ball mostly. Boro had a couple of free kicks which needed some defending but saints were guilty of failing to hold the ball and slow the game down. Couple of shots from outside the box were comfortably dealt with by Kelvin though they had a couple of good breaks where they made the wrong decision with final ball with others better placed.

Saints brought on Schneiderlin for Lallana with about 20 minutes to go which made sense to tighten the midfield. Lallana had a decent game though clearly not match fit. That change seemed to work as saints had more of the ball and with 10 minutes left scored a great goal, well will look a great goal if BBC show all the passes. Saints played keep ball moving the ball around patiently before getting the ball out wide left, ball fed to Lambert who cut in by the by line beat his man, drew couple of defenders then pulled back fro Connolly to fire in, think Solent said afterwards about 25 passes.

Really game over then though Boro had a couple of decent shots which Kelvin dealt with comfortably and Lambert was unlucky with a great volley which brought a good save from the boro goalie.

Davis 8 had a few shots to deal with from long range and on his toes for ball into box.
Butterfield 8 have to give credit where due did ok and his cross for first goal was excellent
Fonte 8 backed to form with foot in many times to break up play.
Hoovield 8 looked strong and had a good tussle with Ennem odd lapse but proving decent asset.
Fox 8 definitely improving with each game and thought his best game for saints
Lallana 7 good return, slipped a couple of times when well placed and lacked pace but still caused them problems
Hammond 8 good game from hammond gave 100% and couple of occassions ran all over the pitch to close down, fired up the crowd
Chaplow 9 again thought he was outstanding. Ran all over the park. always looking to get forward and deserves more goals
Cork 8 need to keep him in centre of midfield as makes us tick, worked well with Chaplow on right.
Lambert 8 Good team display, set up second and third goal and unlucky with his volley. Should stick to blasting his free kicks
Guly 8 Great couple of goals first half and really did deserve a hat trick with attempt that hit the post.

Still top of the league and Peterboro on Tuesday and if we play the same expect 3 points as the way we are playing we should create plenty of chances.