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With some really tough fixtures coming closer, Saints could do with a decent run in the next few games. Can they start with a win on Saturday?

For some odd reason I think we will win Saturday by a couple of goals, will lie down and take some pills!

Well we are certainly due a good win or two

Well my prediction streak continues with a win, though I thought it would have been easier but then again it is saints. Only change from last week was Davis starting for Redmond which was logical and at least allowed Long and Gabba up front again. Started well, quite positive and was good to see Bertrand getting forward more, coincidence that no Redmond? WBA played as normal, time wasting with Foster taking ages over goal kicks, just why does Pulis has to make his team play this way? First real chance came when we had a free kick outside box, Bertrand took and unfortunately just got a deflection of wall and hit the post, no doubt would have gone in if it hadn't been deflected.

Bertrand got down the wing and set up Tadic who shot straight at Foster, from a corner Yoshi was unlucky with a downward header that bounced nicely for Foster to palm away then Yoshi had a go from resultant corner with an overhead kick not far away. VVD was having a better game, either more interested or getting fitter but a few decent blocks and clearances were better. Romeau should have scored when following a corner the ball came to him on 6 yard box and while he had to turn to get his shot in should have hit the target but went wide of the far post. Long also had a chance when Gabba picked the ball up in out half ran with the ball, needs to do more often and squared for Long who tried to be a little cute as ball was just behind him with a clever flick which went wide but think he had time to control the ball.

Goalless at half time but a decent performance with 6 decent chances, second half we started in same fashion with Gabba heading over but then saints eased off as WBA changed formation, crying out for a substitution but downside of Pellegrino is slow to react and seems to wait to go behind before doing something. Jay Rod had a great chance to score against us when put through, thought offside at the time but think Bertrand was slow going up but fortunately his shot was closer to the corner flag. Forster came for a couple of crosses which is a good sign, unfortunately he dropped both of them so not so good and fans were giving him some grief which wont help. More groans and some boos when Romeau was subbed for Redmond but at this stage just 20 minutes left. To be fair to Redmond he did oaky, made a decent long pass to pick out Tadic in the box with just Foster to beat but his first shot blocked then went down after the challenge from Forster, definitively contact (MOTD no penalty, Sky GOS def penalty) but Tadic made look spectacular. Redmond then had a shot from outside the box which was reasonably close, then with just 10 minutes to go Boufal and Austin came on for Tadic and Long. Then completely out of keeping with the game Boufal scored with a wonder goal. Picked the ball up midway in our half, burst forward with initial speed losing a couple of players and giving him space to run at WBA defence, cut into the centre from left, then beat a couple of defenders before placing the ball just inside the far post. Great run, and a cool finish.

Really was any great panics this time , saints were well in control and WBA down to 10 men as had an injury having used all subs so apart form a couple of long balls no real threats. So 3 desperately needed points and sets us up for the away game with Brighton. Team selection will be interesting but think he should stick with same starting line up but if not winning make subs earlier and bring on Boufal first.

Forster 5. So lacking in confidence even though a clean sheet, made a decent save second half but some of his clearances just invited danger
Cedric 7 turning into mr consistent got forward a lot and good in defence
VVD 7 much better performance a couple of times when he saw danger and intercepted like he used to do.
Yoshida 7 another solid display and unlucky with his header, going for him to score against Brighton.
Bertrand 7 best game for some time, got forward more far more interested though did play JRod onside
Romeau 6 did his usual good work but gave a way a few free kicks though that was partly due to useless ref.
Limina7 another solid display winning the ball but is always looking to go forward.
Davis 6 good work rate but so negative compared to Lemina, gets the ball and turns backwards
Long 6 worked hard which is helping create space for others, when he will score again.
Gabbadini 6 had a couple of shots and headers and set up Long with good run, like his work rate and seems happier
Tadic 6 better game, worked much better in first half and when out wide a threat, moved more central second half and less effective

Subs
Redmond 6 did okay lost the ball a couple of times but did make some good contributions
Boufal 7 has to be given a 7 because of his goal.
Austin 5 bringing him on for 10 minutes at end helps, he struggled to get into the game due to lack of pace

Thanks Matty once again.

Watched it on BT Sports. They were saying that Bertrand should take a leaf out of Cedric's book and get forward more.....but I agree with you that he seemed to put in a decent performance.

It's good to see VVD improving, maybe he thinks he needs to show 'bigger clubs' that he is still worth a move.

It does seem to me that it is wasteful to have Hoedt on the bench, when he was one of our best players before VVD came back. Difficult to know what to do about it unless one of them can play midfield. And of course there is no way that Lemina should be dropped......

BT had an ex-ref commenting on the referee's performance and he had nothing but praise for him, saying that he got all the big decisions right. He said the Tadic incident was not a penalty. In fact, he said that Tadic does not help his cause by constantly trying to get penalties which are not merited. Apparently all referees are now aware of Tadic and it would need there to be an obvious offence against him for him to get a penalty!!

There was also criticism of Boufal's attitude after his goal, in running to Grino and appearing to effectively demand that he now had to be given a starting place in the team.

Both Tadic and Boufal are capable of doing well in flashes.....and also have spells of mediocrity. Unfortunately, they both seem to have hugely inflated egos!!

Mike, agree about Boufal, yes he has looked recent in 20 minutes against Newcastle and 10 minutes against WBA, but 1 goal in 23 games isn't a record which says must be picked.

We could easily go 3 at the back, Yoshi, VVD and Hoedt wing backs Bertrand and Cedric with Lemina, Romeau Davis/JWP/Tadic in middle with Gabbadinin Long/Boufal up front.

An ex ref supporting a current ref, major shock!! Reality is were not many big decisions to make, he got many small decisions wrong and the penalty as shown on TV could have been given, Sky pundits 100% sure, but admit Tadic diving doesn't help, wish MP told him to stop falling over as it doesn't help but he has the bottle to do that

Quite like the idea of 3 central defenders as that could be playing to our strengths. No sure that Romeu and Lemina works too well......maybe would have to consider alternating Romeu/Davis depending on the needs for specific games.

Still guess unlikely to happen or would have been tried already.