HOME TO HULL CITY

Just 2 more home games after this one, surely Saints have to win it if they are to stand any chance of keeping up with Liverpool and Spurs. Can Saints get the 3 points?

Expecting a tough game but we ought to have enough to get the 3 points, going for a 3 - 1 win. Expect Mane to start, surprised he didn't get on earlier against Everton

Sorry guys but I've been away for a few days. And yeah, I would definitely also settle for 3-1.

They let you out on good behaviour Pete? Welcome back......

It's the convict thing Mike.

Well it wasn't pretty and at times especially in the first half you wondered how we were competing for the top spots but we march on. Odd team selection with Clyne on bench, Yoshida at CB and Alderweld at RB with Long, Mane and Pelle up front. I am not convinced when we play the 3 up front as Long and Mane operate so wide Pelle has no support and when playing sides like Hull you know they will run all day and even with Schneiderlin and wanyama arguably the best midfield pairing in the premiership we get over run.

Saints could have gone in front after just 40 seconds, a poor pass from a hull player had Long through one on one but he knocked the ball long and wide, think he may have been hoping goalie would slide in and aiming for a penalty, just shoot Shame its a simple game. After that Hull looked the better side, Alderweld did not look comfortable at RB and Yoshida was being beaten in the air, midfield couldn't get a hold of the ball and all very scrappy. Hull had a shot that went just past the post then cutting in on the left fired a shot that Kelvin held well down to his right. In a rare attack saints nearly took the lead when Long had a chance on left side of the box, he played the ball to Pelle who made a decent connection but Harper had rushed out and shot hit him and rebounded away, hard to criticise Pelle as he made good contact towards goal, just goes down as decent save.

Hull then had a couple of chances one wide one bounced up for Kelvin to claim. Then Pelle was booked when he was being fouled, got nothing from the ref who was Friend the prat who was awful against Liverpool and no better today. He then booked Wanayma when he made a great tackle meaning he misses next 2 games, I am convinced this ref does indeed have it in for us.

Second half Ward Prowse came on for Wayama, probably thought he would be sent off with this ref, for me I would have brought on Clyne, moved Alderweld to midfield and taken of Long to give more balance. Nothing much being created then game burst into action Hull won a knock down on edge of area and had a shot low to kelvins left, he got down well and a solid hand to take the sting out of shot then gathered at second attempt. Couple of minutes later a ball over the top into the right side of the box saw Long have a run at goal and clattered by Bruce. Sure ref was gutted as even he could not give this one, just a poor mis timed tackle. Some debate who would take the penalty with mane taking the ball, Koeman got message out via Bertrand that Ward Prowse to take, is apparently now the penalty taker along with Schneiderlin. To his credit Ward Prowse hit it well, right side of goal, goalie went right way but hit with enough power and in the corner. saints nearly conceded an equaliser when some poor defending saw a header creep towards near post but Bertrand had stayed on the line and cleared. Tadic came on for Mane and while he gave some creativity he hardly tracked back leaving Alderweld exposed on a couple of occasions but fortunately crosses were wasted.

Saints got the all important second with pelle holding the ball up and laying off, Schneiderlin ended up in the box near by-line on right side and pulled the ball back and Pelle with a neat finish inside the near post finally ended his goal drought. Great relief all round and have to say think saints fans have been really good with Northam constantly chanting his name during what has a been a long barren spell. Last 10 minutes no real threats though Davis should have added a third when a cross from Tadic left him a simple chance but he blasted high and wide.

Davis 7 another solid performance by Kelvin with a couple of key saves, glad he got a clean sheet.
Bertrand 6 quiet game and didn't get forward much but good goal line clearance
Fonte 7 solid game in the centre
Yoshida 6 got better as the game wore on,
Alderweld 6 not as comfortable as when he plays at CH
Schniederlin 7 second half got forward more and was impressive
Wanyama 6 not a great game but was unlucky with booking and was crucial tackle as Hull player through if he hadn't stopped
Davis 6 again was better, like most second half.
Long 6 won the penalty but didn't really look likely to score
Mane 6 had a few runs and was unlucky to be subbed.
Pelle 7 no protection from ref, battled hard and scored (at last)

subs
Ward Prowse, 7 good performance, penalty well taken and some good passes
Tadic 6 does need to understand at 1 up his job is also to defend!
Elija 6 came on with 10 minutes left and did at least put himself about.

With spurs losing a good weekend, shame about wanyama missing next 2 games but would pLay Yoshida at CH and put Aldwerweld in midfield and play Ward Prowse instead of Long or Mane. Tough game away to Stoke but all to play for, have matched last season points total

Thanks again Matty.

I thought Saints looked pretty shoddy watching on Sky, the accurate passing game of earlier in the season seems to have evaporated.

Mane looked pretty disgruntled about being taken off, I'm wondering whether RK may have some trouble with him. Wouldn't be surprised to see him left out next time.

Nice to see that Harrison Reed was back on the bench, I think he has been out of the matchday squad for a while.

In fairness to the ref, from the 45 minutes or so of the game shown on Sky, he didn't really seem to be totally biased against Saints. For one thing, he might quite easily have sent off Pelle, not just booked him, as he appeared to strike the Hull player in the face. Bruce and the Hull team certainly thought he should have walked and the 'experts' on MOTD were divided about whether it should have been a red.

Mike the highlights may have showed the key decision on Pelle was right but what wasn't shown was the numerous fouls on Pelle that were ignored. If you watch the Pelle incident in full speed it was clear his body momentum caused the clash, slow motion makes it an incident. Pelle was taken out by Dawson not long after, retribution and 3rd bad tackle by Dawson not a peep out of the ref. Just be consistent is all that I look for, a crap ref who is crap for both teams is okay with me.

By the way Bruce's nose was made worse when he took a cross right in his face a couple of minutes later, not his day really