SPURS (AND TINO) AT ST MARY'S

Great if Saints could get the win, but can they??

I was concerned about this game without Forster and Wanyama and while I still hate Pochintino, and also hate spurs (and Jon Moss) have to say a good performance by saints and a draw not a bad result, think we just did enough to deserve the 3 points we at least played some decent football, far better than against Hull and saints can feel proud that with key players missing, add in JRod still looked the better side which has around £200m of players in their squad.

Saints seem slightly nervous to start and allowed Spurs plenty of the ball and while they passed the ball around a lot they didn't actually look that much of a threat. Saints probably had best first chance when a cross in from the left seemed to be inviting a lunge from Pelle but he seemed to give up. Schneiderlin then finished a good corner routine fired in quite low and he met well but to central and Lloris made a comfortable save. Saints took the lead following some good work by Mane. He started the game slowly with little chasing down but over the match he really worked hard. Mane picked up a though ball on right side and charge toward the middle, cleverly took the ball past the second spurs defender when expected to cut inside then laid the ball back to Ward Prowse who was sure was nudged in the back to knock off the ball, Moss ignored, as he did fouls on saints all game, but the ball was knocked back into the box, Davis dithered and Pelle got in and poked the ball wide of LLoris, Good strikers goal. Dier should then have been booked for a terrible tackle on Bertrand , just hacked him down yet nothing from Moss. Pelle nearly got a second with a good free kick from ward prose from left side bent in towards goal but did not get enough of his head on the ball but if he could have headed across goal as Llowris was flat footed

Davis should then have got the second when he had a chance but shot wide, Davis actually could have had a hat trick as this was first of 3 good chances he had not one even hitting the target. Oh how we need a goal scoring midfield player, Lampard for a season? Then just before half time a soft equaliser. Pelle had done the hard part winning the ball in midfield then for me committed the cardinal sin in Premiership football, gave the ball away cheaply in midfield. That lead to a cross in the box which really should have been dealt with but came off Lamela to give them an undeserved equaliser.

Second half was again a slow start by saints allowing spurs plenty of possession and while they looked good on the ball they didn't really threaten our goal, Kelvin did not have that many saves to make. Mane then made an opportunity for Davis who inside penalty area with all the goal in front of him dragged a shot wide. Bertrand then hit a long cross which seemed to bend and Lloris had to palm away for a corner. Long came on for Ward Prowse, think Davis was lucky to be on the pitch and made an early contribution, Mane was again involved in the play and set up a pass to Long down the right side, he hit a first time cross from right curling back out form goal and Pelle met perfectly with a great header.

That should have been enough and spurs had 2 subs lined up including Townsend when they got an deserved equaliser pretty much from nothing, Chadri got the better of Yoshida in the box and managed to beat Kelvin into the far post. Shame for Yoshida as he had a great game though should have done better here. He stopped a few one on on ones when left exposed and generally had a very good game.

That set up an interesting finish but Pochitino showed his colours when having equalised he brought on Dambele clearly set up for a draw. Surely if Spurs are such a top side they should have been going all out to win and challenge for 4th spot? He proved today he has no plan B and saints finished the stronger. Alderweld had a good header cleared for a corner and right at the death Fonte met a corner with a diving heard which went just over the bar, if he could have kept down a couple of inches would have been a fitting finish to the game.

So our hopes of finishing in top 6 took a hit but still a chance, spurs are not that good a side and cannot seem to defend crosses, we should have put more crosses in and although 3 away games I still think we can win 3 of the last 4 and that may still be enough for 6th place. Will be an arsenal fan for the villa game as think we need something for such a good season.

Davis 6 still a good servant but have feeling Forster would have saved one of the goals
Bertrand 8, got forward well, defended well good game
Yoshida 7 could have done better with the goal but overall had a good game
Fonte 7 unlucky at the end but a couple of times hacked clear when could have been calmer
Clyne 7 better game than recent week some decent crosses
Davis 5 worked hard but missed some tackles and had 3 great chances and dis not get one on target.
Aldweirweld 6 solid game but clearly a better centre half was caught in possession a couple of times
Scheniderlin 7 at times pure class though then tried to be to clever losing the ball, still a class act
Ward Prowse 6 fairly quiet game but effective
Mane 7 to be fair tot eh player although never looked like scoring he worked his socks off and caused them all sorts of problems
Pelle 9 2 goals so deserves the MoTM

Subs

Long 6 great cross for the 2nd goal but didn't track back much when we were under pressure
Elija 6 as normal put himself a bit
Reed 6 came on to replace Schneiderlin at the end.

Thanks Matty.

Thanks again Matty.

Hope we get to see Schneiderlin play in a Saints shirt again, don't know if his injury may keep him out for the season.

Must say the passing and attitude seemed much better for this game. I hope we can play like this for the rest of the season now.

I believe 7th place qualifies for the Europa League if Arsenal win the Cup, that's right? Well if Saints can finish 5th or 6th (a big ask I know) then I will be rooting for Aston Villa for the Cup. I would prefer to see Liverpool or Spurs lose the last Europa spot to Villa.

I think Schneiderlin will be okay, he slipped on the pitch so may just be a strain and Reed was already to come on so made sense.

Yes if Arsenal win the FA cup will go to 7th for last Europa spot so definitely an Arsenal fan plus another bitter pill for spurs fans if Arsenal win a trophy and finish in top 4, which they will do. If we could get 5th or 6th would be great but will need some luck on the injury front which we have not had for a few months, seems to be one after another, should have kept jack Cork for the rest of the season!

I'd go a bit further and say Saints should have tried to keep Cork until the end of NEXT season.......if we should qualify for Europe I am a bit concerned that, unless we strengthen in depth and with quality, the extra games will see us struggle to get a reasonable league position next season.