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Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Pele returned to face Coventry as Ostlund was dropped; Saganowski kept his place, as did Kelvin Davis, of course. He's not the worst ever to stand between Southampton's posts, but in a team built for promotion many of us expect something better.
An early cause for complaint came when Adebola found a bit of space and shot powerfully inside the near post as Davis waved it goodbye. In these early stages Saints looked like causing problems for the home defence, notably through Jones, and we had a repeat of the controversial incident at West Brom when he was fouled when seemingly running clear on goal.
Clearly different rules apply in the Midlands as once again the home defender escaped with just a caution, but at least Saints got the ball in the net after a scramble from the corner that followed the free kick - Coventry had grounds to be upset now as a foul on the keeper was a distinct possibility, but Saganowski's goal stood. Cov. have two big men up front, but Pele should have done more to prevent Kyle making the header that regained them the lead; this time I don't blame Davis so much, but he was stranded in no man's land as the ball looped in rather tamely.
Saints didn't finish the half well, and they probably got an ear bashing at half time - Pele must have received the worst of it as he didn't reappear, and Belmadi came on for Skacel. Harsh on Pele who was selected at centre back and a big ask of unfit Belmadi, also leaving Saints with only one substitution option although they had both Wright-Phillips and Rasiak available.
In the end, Bale was responsible for all our opportunities in the second half - four of them, including an injury time shot. Rasiak came on for Jones, while Saganowski completed his first full game, but to little effect since the goal. Overall, though, I thought we were as badly served by off-field selection tactics as on-field performances.
Man of the Match: Claus Lundekvam, but few others looked Premiership class.
Even SFC's own site had a pop at the team
"With the lift of a new boss, it was obvious the home side would come at the visitors from the start - and George Burley's men failed to handle it. Both Coventry goals were crude and direct but very effective and Saints will be kicking themselves for not repelling those particular aerial onslaughts.
"The first came in little over four minutes when a long kick by Andy Marshall was flicked on by Kyle and Adebola raced onto it to hit a first-time volley in off the left post from 16 yards. That should have been no more than a wake-up call, particularly when Marek Saganowski's first Saints goal brought them level just eight minutes later.
"But Saints still struggled to get their game together with the midfield collectively failing to make an impact and the defence unusually at sea. The supercharged Sky Blues were playing more on adrenalin than ability but they dominated the play and it was no surprise when they went back in front on 29 minutes, again via Route One.
"But it said something that Saints' biggest threats came from a full-back as the strikers struggled against a resolute centre-back pairing who were every bit as robust as the strike duo. It would be fair to describe this as a forgettable display - except that its impact will ensure it lives in the memory for the wrong reasons.
"Saints at least have time to put it right and they can still mount a late charge but they are fast running out of room to manoeuvre."
