I felt that the result papered over the cracks. Leeds fans should have been scratching their heads as to how they came away with no points in a match that was really even. Even the stats for posession and attempts on goal seem to be split fairly. In my opinion, the first half performance was the best I have seen Saints play this season. However, I think that their goalkeeper should have been stopping the two Armstrong shots from that angle and he was very poor. Armstrong effectively scored from two impossible angles. The Smallbone goal was right in front of me and I felt that he scuffed the shot as opposed to have been a nicely placed effort. I felt that the first half was even but Saints were far more clinical. The second half was a different kettle of fish. We reverted back to type and sometimes appeared to press the self-destruct button wih inaccurate passing. KWP was particularly to blame although I would also argue that he was instrumental in the attacks down the flanks. When we conceded the goal I just felt that Leeds had control of the game and should have clawed the deficit back . I think there was a period of 16 minutes after their goal before they had another attempt on goal. All in all, I felt that it was a wierd match that befitted the madness of not playing at 3pm. The performance put in by Saints makes the 3-1 result flattering yet, by the same token, I felt Leeds' forward line squandered the chances they were given. But for the goal-keeping errors and the profligate nature of the Leeds 'forward line, the game would have probably have finished a draw. I think Martin clearly got things right with the starting formation and tactics in the first half yet we looked fragile in the second half and constantly error prone with the distribution - especially from Bazunu. I am happy with the winand to get three points on the point. I am afraid that I am not seeing anything radical to suggest that this team will even get in to the play-offs.
Jo Tessum suggested that Bednarek commited two yellow card offences in giving away a free kick and was lucky. The same with Smallbone in the second half where he should gave received a second yellow for a foul. It was competitive but not a dirty game. I would concure with the yellow cards but reds would have been harsh.
I do no think we will go down although losses against Leeds, Stoke and a poor performance against Rotherham would have me worried. I think we will be mid table and Martin's performance will be re-appraised in the summer. This season is all about stability.
Smallbone never "scuffed" his shot, he opened up his body and sidefooted it first time perfectly into the corner, it was a fine finish from the lad...
Think I have always argued mid-table. Before today I would have argued that relegation would have been more likely than promotion. I am not convinced we are good enough to reach the play-offs or that Martin is the man to get us there.
Really ? I have not scrolled back to read your take on the match. I think that Leeds were really poor today and we took our chances. It would be difficult to argue that this was a match we dominated as we still looked nervous up until the five minutes of injury time. Bringing on Aribo and Bree only seemed to enhance the jittery nature of the closing ten minutes. I certainly did not see the chasm between the two sides that had been suggested on this thread in the build up to this match. As I said, best first half performance by Saints I have seen but also felt Leeds fell well short of the expectations and were missing some key players. A draw would have been a fair result if I was impartial. However, Armstrong took his chances and Leeds didn't. Glad we did not sign Piroe!
We battered them first half and Leeds were just not up for it at all. They huffed and puffed second half but result was deserved win
