Saints humiliated

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Phil Ifill had been Southampton's most consistent player in the weeks leading up to the game at Sheffield Wednesday, but he didn't make the team at Hillsborough - presumably through injury, otherwise his omission would have been an astonishing gaffe as the team was reshuffled to accommodate Safri.

There is no question about Ifill's defensive qualities, but he can also give us a bit extra in attack, something replacement full back Dailly failed to do. As a result, Saints who are normally free scoring away from home, struggled to make much headway and an effort from John that almost went through goalkeeper Grant was our best effort of the first half.

There wasn't much happening of note down the other end either, not even in the 40th minute when Thomas appeared to be in full control of a situation in a far off corner of the penalty box. Quite why Davis chose to intervene by chasing out of his goal and clattering Sodje from behind is anyone's guess, but Whelan gleefully accepted his chance from the spot.

Wright-Phillips and Idiakez came on at the interval, but were soon wishing they had stayed warming the bench. First Dailly was caught out of position when Sodje ran into space, and he buried his shot inside Davis's near post. Then about half the Saints side stood and watched as Whelan shot home a third Wednesday goal from the edge of the box - well maybe someone was paying a bit of attention as the ball was deflected past Davis, who in the opinion of some had gone down like a sack of coal anyway.

Number four was arguably the worst of the bunch and neither Davies nor Davis can be proud of their efforts to stop Sodje scoring again. The home side completed an astonishing burst of four goals in 13 minutes when O'Brien's shot went straight through Davis. Southampton's support had been drifting away to the bright lights and well-stocked bars of Sheffield during all this, but those who remained were distinctly unhappy. They needed a focus for their anger, and there he was down below us and between the posts: a difficult situation for Davis to cope with and, well, he didn't handle it particularly well. Events at the other end had ceased to matter but it should be recorded that Euell and Idiakez managed to miss a couple of absolute sitters.

All that remained was the long trip home on the 18:24, where Mr. Burley tried to secret himself away in the First Class seats. His day of woe was complete when he was discovered and subjected to a surprise interview with Chairman Mick.

LSSC Man of the Match: Stern John. I didn't think it a wise time to ask for votes, but it was no surprise that an ad hoc poll found Davis to be the worst of our players. However, we should also report that Andrew Davies picked up a lot of nominations while I can only assume Dailly escaped so lightly because he has gained a lot of respect in his loan period.

Sheff Wed: Grant, Hinds, Simek, Michael Johnson (Beevers 87), Spurr, Whelan, Watson, Jermaine Johnson (Small 76), O'Brien, Tudgay, Sodje (Burton 71).
Subs Not Used: Esajas, Folly.

Goals: Whelan 41 pen, Sodje 51, Whelan 56, Sodje 62, O'Brien 65.

Southampton: Davis, Thomas, Viafara (Wright-Phillips 46), Dailly, Davies, Skacel, Surman, Euell, Safri, Saganowski (Idiakez 46), John.
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Rasiak, Hammill.

Booked: Idiakez.

Att: 19,442

Ref: Mike Pike (Cumbria).