AWAY TO WEST BROM

Can Saints get back to winning?? The vibes not too promising at the moment, another 0-0 draw seems a little likely.

I have gone for a 0 - 0 which with the way WBA are playing wouldn't be to bad if we beat palace on Tuesday. Looking though for Mane to get on the score sheet today for repaying Koeman for lack of respect in being late last weekend

Another disappointing result and performance, fell behind to a soft goal in first couple of minutes then spent the rest of the match with most of the possession huffing and puffing but when we did create a chance the lack of confidence was obvious.

Started 352 with Gardos and have to say he didn't look comfortable, he gave away the free kick just inside our half which lead to the goal. Long kick into box, they won first header and Berninho given all the time in the world to volley in. Still think ball was in the air a long time and that Forster could have come out and at least punched clear, he remains routed to his goal line. Amazingly that was the signal for WBA to start time wasting, just after 5 minutes. Pulis has created another ugly footballing side with all the professional cheating he taught at Stoke. It might be successful in the short term but WBA now the team to hate. Time wasting not helped by yet again another incompetent ref, Dowd. I have never rated him and he kept up his poor reputation with a failure to control the game. Kept pointing at his watch that was adding on yet, 2 minutes added time first half. saints fans took to counting down when ever Foster had the ball and often reached 20, did anyone tell Dowd that a goalie is supposed to release the ball after 6 seconds, what is the point of a rule if not applied?

Clyne and Bertrand stayed out wide on halfway line and never seemed to get going early on. Schneiderlin tried a shot that went high and wide and after 25 minutes He took of Gardos to bring on Elija and went 4 4 2. Happy to revert but that wasted a substitution think Gardos could easily have gone into midfield or should have brought on Davis and made the midfield stronger.

Bertrand made a couple of decent runs down left side and from one Mane shot wide and another Pelle blasted over. Mane is frustrating running across the pitch but he still looked the most likely to create a goal. Coupe of times from long balls over the top WBA nearly got in but Yoshida played a blinder getting back making tackles. fortunately Dowd didn't come out second half, not fit enough to be a premier league ref, unable to keep pace and another who should have his contract ended. Saints brought on Davis for Wanyama at start of second half think to save him as Dowd had booked him first half and could see the frustration that 2 weeks in a row poor officials was having. Its a shame as that meant 2 subs used unnecessary with Tadic still on the pitch, he added nothing again and every time he hit a poor pass he pointed to player to say was their fault. Should not be starting and would rather have Reed on the bench.

Saints dominated the possession second half and had some chances, Schneiderlin went close with a free kick just wide after Elija was pulled down a yard outside the box. Elija then pulled a cross back and all Pelle had to do was tap in but to slow and chance went begging then near the end Pelle finally held of his man with his back to goal turned and had a great chance but made a poor connection for an easy save. At the end Elija had a chance but shot wide. Shane Long had come on for last 15 minutes and while he bottled out of one challenge think have to recognise first game back. Mostly one way traffic with Stoke in disguise WBA just hoofing forward and chasing

Forster 6 still doesn't command his area and doesn't look like changing
Clyne 6 some decent runs second half but defensively didn't look that good, £30m and sell
Gardos 5 his fault the midfield was to weak with Tadic and then playing a back 3
Fonte 7 tried to get the team to fight
Yoshida 8 really put himself about, numerous tackles and blocks, if Toby is fit play him in midfield
Bertrand 7 got forward well and put in some decent crosses
Schneiderlin 6 think he is counting down the games
Wanyama 6 at least he tries but would like him to have a few shots.
Tadic 4 best thing he did was run off when subbed, another poor display
Pelle 4 worst game I have seen from him no confidence didn't jump for balls when he should , needs a rest
Mane 6 plenty of running we need to get the best out of him, hit more balls over the top for him

Subs

Davis 6 some woeful passing but at least brought some energy
Elija 6 occasional flashes of skill, should have done better at the end with his chance
Long 6 looked a little rusty but caused some problems

Thanks for another well thought out report Matty.

From my armchair, thought the team looked a poor shadow of earlier in the season. Probably a matter of confidence now. Surely, Tadic must be dropped.

Think both Tadic and Pelle should be dropped, I would even have Tadic on bench with Toby fit will be competition and would look to see what Duricic can do. Elija is probably ahead of Tadic as can cause some problems though have to say at the moment would not be looking to sign him on a permanent basis unless around £3m.

Pelle more for taking him out of the firing line as crowd beginning to get frustrated, if he start has to be with Long up with him

And wins for Arsenal and Liverpool today made the weekend look a whole lot worse

Thanks fellas.