RAMS AT ST MARYS

Can Saints pick up the three points on Saturday? My main worry is that they won't be up for it as, on paper, it should be a bit easier than the last few fixtures.

i think the competiton for places will take care of any complacency. problem will be Derby will play 1 up front, flood the midfield and hope to frustarte saints. Glad to say though Adam is back to his previous good form and Guly is hard to defend agaisnt as I dont think even he knows what he is going to do next!

Think there is some momentum so I think will get the 3 points, tough for 30 minutes, get in front then take control.

SaintMike wrote:Can Saints pick up the three points on Saturday? My main worry is that they won't be up for it as, on paper, it should be a bit easier than the last few fixtures.

Hopefully, they'll be more professional than that. Adkins will make sure they're up for it.

Hope you're both right, but I can see this ending 1-1.

Shame Richardson might not play but think Sharp will open his account properly today and rickie and adam will also be on the score sheet.

After Reading won last night, they are up to 3rd, and just 2 points behind us. It would be handy to open up that 5 point gap again. The gap between 2nd and 3rd is more important than the gap between 1st and 2nd, as much as I'd like us to actually win the league.

Another good perorfmance at St Marys. 3 points, clean sheet and Tadanari Lee on the score sheet, down side Jos taken off at half time with what looked like a calf strain and Fonte struggled for last 10 minutes with similar injury. Martin did okay 2nd half but we look so more solid when Jos and Jose are in the middle. Richardson out injured so harding played at right back and Guly was unwell so Chaplow started on right side of midfield

Reasonably open game saints tested their goalie a couple of times with balls in from the left curling towards the far post both of which their goalie struggled with so gave some optimism if we could get some shots in. Saints took the lead with decent corner from Fox on the right swung in, Hoovield came in and met with his knee into the net in front of Northam end, Two goals in two games Jos is proving a good buy. Lallana was playing well and so close with a second, he picked up ball in penalty area twisted inside his player to set up on his left foot but curling shot just went wide of the post. Should have added the second when Harding crossed in from right side and went past sharp and lallana to lambert who had time but put his shot well over the bar. Did get worried missing these chances would not come back to haunt us. Lallana then had a chance when the ball ricocheted off a couple of players to put him through in middle of goal just inside penalty box, but poor shot wide of goal.

with 15 minutes left of half we had dominated saints went to sleep allowing Derby to get back into the game, couple of times they were free on the right side with Fox struggling as Adam while great going forward gave little defensive cover. Derby had a chance from a corner with a good shot through a crowd of players but Davis down well to hold. Saints did have a decent chance towards half time from a free kick where Lambert shot for goal and palmed over the bar by their goalie.

Worried during half time as saw Martin called in while warming up and Jos came out to warm up early but clearly had a problem. No surprise then Martin coming on but was surprised to see Sharp subbed with Tadanari Lee coming on. Saints were sitting to deep for me and gave Derby encouragement to attack. Having weathered the storm, of our own making, Lallana had another shot on goal turned around. from the corner saints scored that all important second goal. Corner went to far post knocked back and Martin was there to hook in for his first goal at St Marys.

saints then got a great third goal which killed the game off. Lallana won a tackle on right side of pitch in our own half. Hit a good pass out to Cork who took forward then released Fox, he cut inside and crossed in to middle and Lallana who had continued his run side footed in to net. Great goal ripping Derby apart and hope they show all the build up not just the final cross and shot.

As say 3 up couldnt see Derby getting back into the game but did have a long shot which Davis was down well to his right to again hold well. Harding went into the book and another ref could have sent off when he lost his player and charging back lunged in taking out their player just before the by line. Luckily his foot didnt leave the floor but was reckless so grateful just a yellow. Saints got the fourth and probably the most welcome by saints fans as Lee opened his account which should take some pressure off him. He is fast and does run and chase which will make him popular but he will ultimatley be judged on goals. Lambert on left side wide played in lee into the box he cut back inside his player and hit a fabulous shot into the top corner of the net. Stunning goal and celebrated as if he had won world cup. other change for saints was Chaplow had been subbed after 70 minute with puncheon coming on. Chaplow looked pretty rusty first 30 minutes easing off challenges and off the pace but he seemed to pick up the pace of game and made a couple of good headed clearances and charged down a ball in their half which indicated he was beginning to get back to his old self which must be good news.

Derby had a couple of chances down the right side against Harding which meant Fonte having to cover and seemed to pull a muscle. Really annoyed that other saints players didnt seem to see he was in trouble and should have done more to keep the ball away. One very good tackle late on which stopped a break but clearly hurt.

Davis 8 commanded his goal well and though not many saves he held the ball well in difficult conditions
Fox 8 two corners lead to goals plus set up third and strong defensively
Hoovield 8 another goal and looked solid but hope injury not to serious, 3 games in a week took its toll.
Fonte 7 another solid performance and played through the pain barrier.
Harding 6 did a professional job but hasnt got a right foot so struggled and often on wrong side of player
Chaplow 6 very slow start but came more into the game.
Schneiderlin 8 have to admit excellent game pulling the strings in midfield and put in plenty of effort
Cork 8 good game linked well with Schneiderlin, would like to see him shoot more
Lallana 9 alright he might forget his defensive duties at times but he is back to his early great form, scored 1 and could have had more
Lambert 7 worked well again but should have done better with first half opportunity
Sharp 6 looked a little sluggish and needs to lose a bit of weight but needs to be given time plus we also need to play to his strengths.

Sub
Martin 7 decent game at the back and a goal
Lee 7 lots of energy the duracell man and fabulous goal
Puncheon 6 did a job asked of him when he came on played on left side of midfield

Think 15 games left and only 6 at home after today so we will have to win those but does look like we are back to our early season home form. Key for me will be if Jos and Jose can stay fit, at least a week off now so that will help, rest of positions plenty of cover though not keen on Harding at right back, shame Butterfield injured.

SaintMike wrote:Hope you're both right, but I can see this ending 1-1.

Saints blew Derby away. Saints are definitely back to their early-season best. May it continue for the next 15 games...

Thanks again Matty!!!

14 games to go, 6 home and 8 away.

Need at least 8 wins for play offs, probably 10 to get one of the automatic spots, Watford next up, been there a few times and we always lose so not going to jinx them and will stay at home!

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/9540439.Adkins_sweating_on_fitness_of_Hooiveld/r/?ref=rss

No mention of Fonte so hopefully he is ok.

Hopefully Fonte will be ok, certainly was feeling his leg though saints tend to keep these things quiet, but couldnt hide Jos being taken off. Jos and Jose seem to gell bit like when we had Claus and Killer as our centre backs