Hell at Hull

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Even the least generous of Saints fans (and we are a hard to please bunch) would not blame Mr. Pearson for defeat in a game that took place little more than 24 hours after his appointment, so he was all but undefeated in his job as he took his team to Hull. Mind you, there had been a few close calls along the way, so it was hardly a surprise that the wheels came off in such spectacular fashion in a first away fixture without Davies ‘The Back’ and another game without Davis ‘The Goal’.

The latter always felt like being a disaster waiting to happen, and Poke played a prominent part in the Tigers taking an early lead with a goal by Campbell that is too embarrassing to describe. John had a chance to equalise but it came quickly and he did well to get in a shot at all. John also had the ball in the back of the net with a well struck effort from the edge of the penalty area, but there was a clear offside to rule out the goal.

Still, half time observations that the fog rolling in off the Humber could be our saviour were as much in jest as a realistic appraisal. It didn't take long for fans to realise that the weather was our only hope as more hesitant defending let Pedersen smash in a second home goal, closely followed by the third when Turner headed home a free kick. Poke had little chance with goals 2 & 3, and he was well beaten by Marney's strike for number 4, shortly after making a good diving save. However, the youngster would have been grateful that Bridges could only hit the post after he was stranded in nomansland in a situation similar to the first goal, and he was unable to keep out Hughes's injury time shot despite getting hands to it.

At the other end, Myhill did well to keep out a Euell shot, but he had little to do otherwise, despite the late introduction of Pericard to Saints attack. This player has apparently been signed because the manager no longer wants to select Wright-Phillips, but Pericard comes with some serious baggage as well: not only has he served time at Old Harry's pleasure down at Fratton, but he is no stranger to the inside of Exeter gaol after a conviction for perverting the course of justice last year. Another fine role model.

LSSC Man of the Match: Well, there wasn't one. Not the first time this has happened, but with its associated shame, that it is our ultimate sanction. Sadly a five goal thrashing away from home is not that rare an event this season, but we had a good LSSC following for this game and I sensed I may have been the only one of us willing to nominate a MotM. In the end, the people have spoken.

Nigel Pearson:
"We've done okay over the last five games but I thought we were awful all the way through and we never got to grips with the game.

"We showed no real spark and they took full advantage.

"I don't think we worked hard enough to get things going. I take full responsibility as I pick the team, but unfortunately we couldn't cope with them."

Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Clement, Dawson, Garcia (Bridges 78), Ashbee, Marney, Pedersen (France 70), Campbell, Windass (Hughes 59).
Subs Not Used: Tyler, Walton.

Goals: Campbell 7, Pedersen 55, Turner 57, Marney 68, Hughes 90.

Southampton: Poke, Ostlund, Powell, Viafara, Thomas, Licka (Gillett 62), Euell, Safri, Vignal, McGoldrick (Pericard 46), John (Wright 70).
Subs Not Used: Pernecky, Saganowski.

Booked: Viafara.

Att: 16,829

Ref: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).