WEST HAM AT ST MARY'S

Can Saints record their first home win of the season? I have a feeling that this match could show how our season may go...... 3 points and we will be thinking of that 'next level'...... but anything less could indicate another season of struggle ahead.

Another one of those ugly games where Fat Sam is likely to park the bus and play for free kicks and corners. Unfortunately the international break hasn't helped as no further forward to see how Osvaldo, lambert and Rodrigues fit together. I would play Cork instead of JWP, as he has not been involved in the internationals and a real point to prove, with JWP on the bench

well pretty much as expected, west ham came with the same game plane as every game, pack the midfield, kick the opposition and hit the long ball. MP went with for me a strange team selection picking Lambert, Rodrigues and Osvlado which meant no striker on the bench and with Lallana playing as well meant we really only had 2 midfield players, Schneiderlin and wanyama. For me we looked good last year when Shaw and Cline over lapped but with this formation there were so many gaps in front of them it seemed to inhibit them going forward. Cannot believe that Cork didn't even make the bench, bad decision by MP and afraid we will lose Cork come January and would not blame him.

Saints were bit slow starting with Boruc making an early save, one of the few he actually had to make all day. Said before the game that saints needed an early goal to make fat Sams cloggers change tactics and should have scored when a good run down the left ended up with the ball pulled back from the by line to Osvaldo who to be fair steadied himself, didn't blast it, went to place his shot yet Jaaseklainen managed to get part of his body on the shot.

Cue a bit of pressure from saints and some clogging from WHam, finally booking Diame for what must have been his 5th foul when he scythed down lallana, lambert had a shot that was saved at the post but goalie wasn't to mess that up. Schneiderlin who had a pretty poor first half could have been booked for a late tackle. Saints had more pressure without creating cleat cut sight of goal and W Ham on a rare attack had a volley which had power but was always going past the left hand post and never worried Boruc. Saints showed some nice touches when they one passed the ball through but the last pass Osvlado plyed a fancy flick when a simple pass out to Rodrigues who was free on the left was the pass needed.

Saints were late out for 2nd half , lineo seemed to go and chase them up then amazingly started with 10 men as Wanyama strolled out after game had started. What was MP doing, his job to get the team out, what was Adam doing as captain not noticing a player short and stopping the game starting and what was Wanyama thinking? After an impressive start at WBA Wanyama has looked of the pace a bit often caught in possession and likes to try and stroll through the middle and losing the ball. He did however test Jaas again with a dipping volley and at least showed he is willing to have a shot. Lambert then managed to get his head on a corner that hit the post/bar and rebound was met by wanyama and seem to hit Collins on the arm in a block but nothing given which no surprise with Mariner as ref. Lallana was then played in with a great through ball but again instead of shooting at first attempt took a touch and Jaas was on him. Both Lallana and Rodrigues struggled with wanting to take an extra touch, they need to look at Ramsey for Arsenal and his first goal yesterday first touch shoot, goal.

Wanyama was booked for a pretty awful tackle, another ref and he could have been off, he does get frustrated. Lallana then got clattered by Obrien who was lucky he stayed on the park, late, feet off the ground studs showing what constitutes a red card these days? Ward Prowse came on for Lallana and had two free kicks but the first was just to far in front of Fonte and then he over hit even more the next one, so much for his set piece skills, appreciate he hadn't been on for long but clearly didn't learn from first one. Saints then nearly conceded which would have been a travesty when we played around with the ball in our own box, wanyama, chambers both having a chance to clear, ball was pulled back to Collins 12 yards out in middle of goal and fortunately blasted over the bar.

Saints pressed forward towards the end with a couple of corners that came to nothing and W ham also had a couple of late corners but came to nothing though, Wanyama had last chance with a long range shot which started left and carried on going left, but at least he had a shot.

MP needs to get his team selection sorted, playing lambert, Osvaldo and Rodrigues from the start didn't work a case of to many strikers getting in each others way and unsettling the balance with no real cover for cline. Lallana really needs to start shooting without the need for a second touch but I have been saying that for last couple of seasons. Osvaldo shows some nice touches but I want him scoring goals, Wanyama can struggle at times but with just him and Schneiderlin in the middle think he is finding the step up to the premiership more of a struggle than he expected.

Boruc 6 not a lot to do, could have come for a couple of crosses but looks pretty solid.
Cline 6 good to see him back a decent game in difficult conditions
Fonte 7 another fairly solid game
Lovren 8 another really good game, has a calming influence but will hoof it if he needs to, best buy of the new guys for me.
Shaw 7 made a cple of mistakes but corrected them made some good runs into the box, wnet of with 10 minutes left hopefully just tired.
Rodrigues 6 played wide right most of the game, at times looked good but first touch poor.
Schneiderlin 6 no where near as good as last season and seems to be missing Corkie
Wanyama 6 Good and bad, loses the ball quite often and passes go astray but is willing to shoot and had a better second half.
Lallana 6 bit of a luxury if you don't have 3 hard working midfield players, has either got to learn to tackle or start scoring, should not be captain.
Osvaldo 6 good touches bit unlucky with his shot, but seems to want to play of a striker, which is a pity we played Rickie out wide!
Lambert 7 looked tired but kept on plugging away, only striker with a decent touch and unlucky with his header.

Subs
Ward Prowse 6
Chambers 6

Thanks Matty for a great report yet again!

Stuck watching the game on TV, a few of the things I felt about it.....

1. OK, We have 5 points which is 5 better than this stage last season but we have to remember that we have not played any top teams yet and, to be frank, all 4 games should have been winnable.

2. I completely agree with your comments about the omission of Cork, what on earth does Tino think the guy has done wrong??

3. I felt Wanyama's performance was disappointing........again.

4. You are right, Lambert looked tired. I hope he is back to his best by next week.

5. Personally, I thought the game called for Steve Davis to be brought on in the second half. His 'get stuck in' attitude could have made all the difference.

SaintMike wrote:Thanks Matty for a great report yet again!

Stuck watching the game on TV, a few of the things I felt about it.....

1.  OK, We have 5 points which is 5 better than this stage last season but we have to remember that we have not played any top teams yet and, to be frank, all 4 games should have been winnable.

2.  I completely agree with your comments about the omission of Cork, what on earth does Tino think the guy has done wrong??

3.  I felt Wanyama's performance was disappointing........again.

4.  You are right, Lambert looked tired.  I hope he is back to his best by next week.

5.  Personally, I thought the game called for Steve Davis to be brought on in the second half.  His 'get stuck in' attitude could have made all the difference.

I think this puts in context where we may end up with games against the big boys to come, I think 12 - 14th is more likely now.

On Cork it is noticeable he rarely twitters much now, personally I would rather play Cork than Lallana.

Wanyama can be disappointing but he also does get through a lot of work, with the right formation think he will show his strength

Lambert for me is playing to wide and needs to get in the box more. would like to see him as CF with Osvlado playing behind him.

Agree game was crying out for us to win some of those midfield battles and a midfield player who gets forward though Schneiderlin did have 2 good attempts on goal second half.