Saints topple City

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Latest loanee Chris Lucketti was available for the visit of Championship leaders Bristol City, and he came straight into the side to partner Perry, meaning not even a place on the bench for Thomas.

Also omitted from the starting line-up was Davis, but then again we've seen no reason for Richard Wright not to retain his place. Such defensive considerations would have had no impact on a promising start made by Saints, with some noticeably better service given to the strikers - and there was more than one this week, with Wright-Phillips providing much needed extra options.

Despite the recent goal famine, it was no surprise when Saints finally took the lead, as several players had gone close or seen their efforts saved by Basso. Having waited 35 minutes, no-one was going to complain at the scrappy nature of the build up, but John's execution from close in but a narrow angle was emphatic.

It didn't take long for John to find the net again, and indeed the tannoys gave us that dose of James Brown, but a very late linesman's flag spoiled the party.

Without a defender on the bench, an injury to Vignal meant Surman pressed into emergency action at full back, while City made two tactical substitutions at half time. That did all mean that the Southampton defence was put under pressure for the first time, but we were moving the ball around well, and a bold double substitution by Mr. Pearson gave the side extra impetus for the last third of the match. It was risky, given the way our squad suffer injuries, but there were plenty of chances coming along to kill off the game, most denied by Basso, and one by a dodgy clearance that had quite an element of handball about it.

Eventually a second goal arrived, put in by Euell after that man Basso had saved again from Wright-Phillips. An excellent win that belied the league positions of the two sides, although you have to ask why the players haven't been able to produce such form before in 2008.

LSSC Man of the Match: Chris Lucketti. This was the match when LSSC members forked out an inordinate sum to celebrate our 30th anniversary in the surroundings of the Terry Paine suite. The posh people are asked to vote for their man of the match over their post-game prawn sandwiches (yes, really), and one of our two tables chose Lucketti, while the other had him second. Obviously other guests thought otherwise as Perry was selected from amongst the whole suite, but admittedly Perry and Lucketti between them had put up a formidable barrier.

 Nigel Pearson:
"I'm very pleased with the performance and the result. It's been a tough week in more ways than one.

"That is now the standard we have to replicate in the next four games. There is no room for complacency.

"I'm not going to enter into the debate [on boardroom rumblings] as I have no control over what happens.

"I have had great support from above and ultimately my responsibility is my staff and my players. It's a ready-made excuse if I want it - but I'm not up for that at all."

Saints: Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Lucketti, Perry, Vignal (Surman 42), Licka, Safri, Euell, Idiakez (Viafara 70), Wright-Phillips, John (Pericard 70).
Subs Not Used: Davis, Saganowski.

Booked: Vignal, Safri.

Goals: John 35, Euell 84.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, McAllister, Murray (Sproule 46), Skuse (Elliott 77), Johnson, McIndoe, Noble (Brooker 46), Adebola.
Subs Not Used: Weale, Carle.

Booked: Adebola, Carey.

Att: 22,890.

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).