Got back from the match an hour ago. My first saints match in 5 years i think. Appauling weather and appauling reffereing. Not a great performance from either side, 2 funny goals and a good atmosphere. I enjoyed myself but 3 points would have been amazing, but its always a tough match at the britannia
The good thing is that goal surely won't count against us in the stats, not being a proper goal What a way to end our great record. Very glad though that we didn't concede a 'proper' goal. Same old problems though it would appear, lots of possession not many chances and Ramirez not doing too well when he came on. All-in-all a good point.
I find myself strangely disappointed that we're not 2nd, but i've saved a few quid as I would have had to go out and buy a copy of every newspaper in the shop tomorrow. And a point away from home is always good really.
To not have a shot of any note second half with the wind behind you is terrible. To do the hard work of getting back to 1-1 at half time makes it feel like a loss. I would have been happy with a draw before the game but disappointed to say the least.
The wind didn't really aid us going forward. It was to the detriment of Stoke to play into the wind, but the longish midfield-to-forward passes that we like to make lost all viability, and that allowed Stoke to push up. Crosses had to be absolutely drilled to prevent them from entering orbit and were likely moving considerably in the air, and while those are extremely dangerous when met, in conditions like those they'll end up going for naught the majority of the time. We're not much for long shots, and thus unlikely to get a goal from rolling the dice on one swerving in from 25. Basically, with the wind we had to play almost exclusively on the ground, and that's where Gaston came in. We were either going to have to get through their back four with a bit of magic or get something from a set piece, and those happen to be two of his stronger points. Ultimately, if come-from-behind draws away in rough conditions against established PL sides are disappointing, life is pretty good. The database is all sorts of screwed up. Doesn't seem to be a traffic issue with the server, because I get timeouts at points in the night when most of you are asleep. If the site owners are at a loss to figure it out and reaching a point of desperation, I might be able to track down someone that I know who does extensive work with forums...dunno what he'd charge for labour, though.
Have seen the fluke goal.......Have seen a few of them in my time ....... Goalkeepers nightmare!! Still he has saved more than he has let in. Interesting to hear he brought Ramirez on for Jayrod. Was obviously trying something different although what was hard to fathom perhaps? I hear JWP had a stormer....... that boy looks as if he is on his way to big things if he keeps this up me thinks!!
Can't believe I broke off from what I was doing to watch MOTD. The highlights were over almost as soon as Begovic's goal. I think we've had longer in the bad old days when we were in the Championship and ITV ran the highlights programme.
Having finally seen that Ramirez chance, I don't think his effort was too bad at all. He had to wait for the ball to catch up to him before he could actually shoot and Begovic did well to come out quickly and spread himself. The best option might have been to try and chip it over the keeper but with the wind as it was he probably wanted to avoid trying that. Today's performance wasn't enough to stake a claim for a place in the starting 11 but the fact he came on so early makes me think rumours of his demise at Southampton may have been exaggerated. Satisfied with a point in tough conditions and after a shaky start. Important game next weekend and we could do with 3 points because we have a tough run between the international break and Christmas and results may well be harder to come by.
MOTD didn't replay the penalty appeal. I can only assume they didn't think much of it at all or are bored of the old deliberate hand ball debate. JWP and Wanyama were great today. Interesting that JWP switched to right back for spells in the 1st half and Clyne pushed further forward. I think we looked to get Clyne in behind them and use his pace and I'd like to see more of that tactic if we're to stick with Ward-Prowse. Signs of the old Marsden/Bridge style combination
