BOURNEMOUTH AT ST MARY'S

Just 4 games left and still clutching at straws. I think we must face it that if we don't win this one there is a ticket booked for Saints' return to the Championship.

I have this horrible feeling that Bournemouth will break the ice and get their first ever win in Southampton let alone St Mary's.

think it will end up a draw which is good as a defeat for us as has to be 3 points or down

Well a much needed 3 points and most of the other results went the right way, especially Swansea and Huddersfield losing.

A decent performance not perfect in any way but some passion and fight in the team. Tadic had one of his best games all season, and Lemina, after a terrible performance last week was all over the park, winning tackles and running with the ball.

Bright start by both sides though Tadic was cut down in 3rd minute resulting in a booking although playing well there was no link up between Bertrand and Redmond and a few times down the left neither would pass to the other, just wish the pair would sort it out. Lemina was running the midfield but Redmond was still picking out the wrong passes. played into the box on left hand side, had chance to shoot but decided to lay it back, unfortunately passed straight to a Bournemouth defender. Saints took the lead unusually from a corner, though it wasn't ours. Bournemouth corner cleared by Yoshida, Redmond played the ball to Lemina who ran down right side and played a perfect ball to Tadic on the left, thought he had kicked just a bit to far but stroked the ball into the far corner. Lemina then nearly made it two when a clearance fell to him and his volley was well struck but saved for a corner. Austin had a shot from outside the box trying to catch Begovic out at the near post. Was mostly saints but Ake got clear in the box but McCarthy got down well with a leg to save but just a couple more minutes later gave away a sloppy goal. Hoedt was at fault for losing the ball on the half way line, that lead to Bournemouth break which resulted in a corner. Like many times this season went to the far post and no one picked up King nor anyone on the post and King fired in.

Could have been a real kick in the teeth but at least showed some spirit in second half in quite an open game. Saints second came from an error from Bournemouth player with ball bouncing loose in midfield and Tadic picked up and ran towards goal. He had Austin who pulled to the right and Redmond on the left but with a gap in front carried on and thought he had been closed down but cleverly used the outside of his left foot to plant in the corner of the net, a really well taken goal by Tadic. Saints then had chances to kill the game off. Austin was close to stabbing in, Bertrand had a great chance set up by Tadic but instead of shooting across the goalie shot by the near post which was a comfortable save. Redmond was subbed for Long, and with 15 minutes left Hojberg came on for Austin, which was a bit of a worry as Austin does some good defensive work on crosses. Last 10 minutes was manic as Bournemouth threw everything forward, Surman had a shot wide, Yoshida made a great sliding tackle to deny Defoe and then McCarthy made an excellent save from a curling shot. 5 minutes of extra time were nerve wracking but held on with at last St Marys rocking.

McCarthy 7 came for crosses and punched well under pressure and some good saves
Cedric 5 really poor game, his crossing was pretty awful and caught out of position a lot,
Bedanek 6 made a few errors but also some good challenges, doesn't look the fastest but is benefitting from game time
Yoshida 7 fairly solid, the odd error and a great sliding tackle to prevent Defoe getting in on goal.
Hoedt 6 does make too many mistakes for my liking and fouls when out of position but does throw himself in front of everything
Bertrand 5 really didn't seem interested in the first half, didn't run forward, or pass to Redmond, why he is captain
Romeau 7 same as last week back to the old Romeau all over the park
Lemina 8 cant believe the same guy as last week, absolutely immense today
Redmond 6 poor first half but did have a role in the goal but personally I would rather play JWP on the right side, as also seems to bring the best out of Cedric.
Tadic 8 two goals and his best game of the season, hopefully he will keep this level of performance up as his goals could be crucial for our survival.
Austin 6 worked hard but didn't have much support but still managed a few shots either saved or close.

Subs
Long 6 worked hard, should have scored when he had a chance but chose to pass instead.
Hojberg 5 a few misplaced passes but worked hard
JWP 5 not on for long, got booked for a pull back but stooped a Bournemouth attack so one for the team.

Nice job Matty, thanks. It was certainly good (and unusual) to wake up to news of a Saints' victory.

Thanks Matty....before the game I thought we were as good as down.   I believe we would have been but the win and the other results now make it very open.   I think Swansea, Huddersfield..... and West Ham must still be very nervous.

One thing for sure, we could really do with a win at Swansea on Tuesday.

I think the TV saw it much as you Matty. BBC said Tadic was Man of the Match.....while Sky said it was Lemina.