WEST BROM AT ST MARY'S

Can Saints make it a six point week?

Oh I hope so, can expect a typical drab game from a Pulis team but hopefully we can win but I expect a tight game

Another good performance, another clean sheet and second win in a week. Things are looking up. Let's hope we can keep it up.

Nice !

sorry gents, had a couple of beers after the game so back a little later last night and watched again on Sky so left to this morning.

Great to get 2 wins in a few days, so important with other teams winning as well, and that is 3 home league wins in a row, 9 scored and 0 conceded. Formation of 5 at back seems to be working as allows target and Cedric to get forward and Bertrand is clever enough to play in that role. Targett has looked a much better player with Bertrand alongside him. Wanyama and JWP brought in for Romeau and Classie, understandable having played 2 games in 4 days , decision for JWP was "spot on", Wanyama though is lucky to have been picked ahead of Romeau and his performance was the one negative from the game.

Saints had the early possession and there were lots of sideways passing but patience was crucial as WBA looked like they started with a formation of 7 2 1, I kid you not when you looked at them just a complete line of defenders so hard to get any space. Fortunately we got the early goal, Mane running across the middle was fouled, actually a bad tackle as stood on his foot despite the protestations he touched the ball. JWP with the free kick on the left side and nicely curled into left side of goal. Myhill their goalie seemed to move late and was nowhere near the ball and seemed to have an attitude problem, never hurried himself even when they were 1 and 2 down.

WBA had a penalty shout when JWP dithered clearing, waiting for ball to drop on right foot when should have used his left, having seen on TV was a free kick but not a pen and the flying graceful dive probably went against the WBA player. They had a header that went wide that think Forster would have had and their only attacking option was wherever they were cross the ball, free kick in their half, goalie to launch into our box. You have to spare a thought for the WBA fans as watching them must be dire week in week out.

Davis was having a good game picking up the loose ball and Long was also batting up for everything. WBA did seem to change from 7 at back to 6 at the back at some stage! Saints second came from some play between Long and Targett out on left side again, Targett played a ball to Long who held the ball then played a ball into the box for Targett to run on to. Targett was clever and got his right leg in front of Dawson, who gave away the free kick for first goal, and he ended up taking Targett down. JWP with the penalty and Myhill made it easy by diving very early so even though it looked like JWP was going to his left he could have easily changed his mind and gone straight down the middle. Watch the goalie when you see the highlights. despite having the vast majority of possession we didn't have a huge number of shots on goal, primarily as so difficult to find the space. A corner from JWP was just missed by Long but dropped by Myhill, sort of opportunity that Austin would love. Targett nearly got the third, play again down left hand side, Mane had a shot he scuffed but loose ball fell to Targett who fired in but cleared off the line but I am it would have gone in as seemed to be bending away from the goal.

Half time saw Rickie Lambert on the pitch at St Marys again, he got an excellent reception, shame he never got on the pitch, losing away from home and Lambert does not get used as a sub. I hope his loan is cut short and he is allowed to go to a championship club as just the wrong way for his career to end for a player like him not playing. WBA did bring on Rondon and had a little more positive play but still didn't really threaten Forster. Main issue for Forster seemed to be a reluctance to do to many kicks with lots of short goal kicks so guess still wary about the knee. WBA had a shot on the volley but well wide and Mane had a great chance for the third. Quick break by Davis who brought the ball out well, ball to Long who controlled brilliantly tuned inside and laid off to Mane who on right side of goal screwed his shot horribly wide. Mane went off to be subbed by Tadic and same against Watford he scored. Long played in Davis to cutely beat his player then laid a ball through to Tadic wide on left side who hit a really good finish across the goal into far side of goal just inside the post. Another well worked goal well finished by Tadic and he may not like being sub but it does seem to work. Game over then, Romeau came on for Davis who was back to his best, Martina at the end for Cedric, subs to rest players as as no other reason why Wanyama stayed on the pitch. Out jumped and outmuscled for most of the game and that really is his game so if not doing that then he is a passenger, Romeau should be first choice and tough call next week, for me Romeau, Classie and JWP vying for 2 starting spots.

so another win against a team close to us in the table and just as well with Man U and Arsenal away to come but hopefully confidence restored, Austin when fit, has an hamstring injury, will add competition to squad, Forster back in goal and we should be in line for a reasonable finish, though unlikely to be challenging for top 6 as we have struggled against the teams above us this season. No FA Cup so a chance for a mid week break soon somewhere warm to build for rest of season.

Forster 6 very little to do, held one corner very comfortably, not very mobile but never was but seems to give defence that boost
Cedric 7 excellent game got forward well and a far more accomplished player than Martina
Fonte 7 much better game few errors
Virgil 7 again looked comfortable though to be honest WBA did not have much threat
Bertrand 7 I did say play him with Targett and his presence is really helping Targett.
Targett 7 another good game, more attacking and is confident as he knows he has cover.
Wanyama 5 obviously didn't bother training that hard while not playing, off the pace, slow and the one weak link.
JWP 7 might seem harsh with 2 goals but his defensive side is still a bit iffy but hopefully the goals will spark him for more.
Davis 8 best game in a long while I have seen, was everywhere, excellent passing and ran well with the ball.
Mane 6 still some way short of his best but will always win us free kicks, needs a goal.
Long 8 thought he was excellent, held the ball well, work really hard, helped in build up on 2 of the goals, and his mobility over Pelle will give Koeman another tough choice, he has earnt his place as first choice.

Subs
Romeau 7 did more in 20 minutes than Wanyama in 90 minutes
Tadic 7 another goal as a sub and was a good finish, played just behind Long as replaced Mane and I think his best position
Martina 6 gave Cedric 10 minutes rest.

Thanks Matty. Hopefully the beers went down well. They should have after this result.

Cheers Matty