Stoke 2 Saints 1

Sunday, March 11, 2007

The Saints web site failed to recommend any proper hostelries in the vicinity of Stoke's Britannia Stadium but our creative travel arrangements and a more thorough reading of the Good Beer Guide gave plenty of hope. Plans were somewhat altered by a delayed train, but we recovered well and enjoyed the beginning of the afternoon.

So it was on the pitch, with Belmadi's late withdrawal and Wright's early injury soon forgotten after a Saints goal. This came after Simonsen failed to hold Baird's nicely struck shot from a long way out, and Saganowski put in the rebound. It was against the run of play, so we had little complaint when Fortune fired home the loose ball after a near post corner.

Guthrie was making his full debut in the wide role, and the game rather passed him by - we'll reserve judgement as he could hardly have been expecting to play there before Belmadi was injured in the warm up. Jones, though, was missed up front where Saints again looked lightweight.

We were lacking in midfield too when Martin sneaked in to score as Viafara suddenly decided to take no further part in the action after an innocuous challenge. Somehow the Columbian was left holding his face, but it was a disappointing reaction which was compounded when he decided to wander around looking sorry for himself for the next few minutes. So much for those all-for-one pre match huddles.

There was no further scoring despite a late finish that didn't help in the dash back to obscure Longton station. Half our party didn't make it, claiming to have lost their way: that I feel acts as a metaphor not just for this match but Southampton's performances in the second half of the season. Meanwhile 'Davis-watch' continues, but no blame allotted for the goals. We did witness a sly kick at Parkin, though; had he made better connection, the referee's only option would have been a sending off and penalty to Stoke.

Man of the Match: Gregorz Rasiak, awarded by travellers who were still under the misapprehension that he had scored. There was little cause to reward Saganowski with MotM.

Saints: Davis, Baird, Lundekvam, Powell, Bale, Guthrie (Skacel), Wright (Pele), Viafara, Surman, Saganowski, Rasiak (Wright-Phillips)

SAINTSFOREVER.COM
"Another lousy defeat on the road, that means automatic promotion is near on impossible for us now. We lay 10 points behind the Top Three and I just can't see them all losing form in equal measure to Saints regaining form. It's just 2 wins out of our last 7 games and we've picked the worse time of the season to go into a slump. Even the playoffs is now looking a tough ask and we will have to win 6 or 7 of our last 9 games to even stand a chance of finishing in the top six."

SOUTHAMPTON.VITALFOOTBALL.CO.UK
"The final score finished 2-1 to the home side and in all fairness there can be very little argument about the outcome not being a just and fair result. Southampton just didn`t seem to ever get out of first gear from the get go in this game and the way in which the players preformed has left many questions in the minds of Saints fans about George Burley`s ability to motivate his troops."

THISISHAMPSHIRE.NET (Southampton Echo)
"George Burley felt Saints paid the price for not creating enough chances as they lost 2-1 at Stoke. For Saints it was their second defeat in five days and leaves them needing a strong finish to the season to win a play-off place. It was a bitterly disappointing result and performance at the Britannia Stadium."

FOOTBALL365.COM
Saints have won only once away all season in visits to the Top 17 clubs, a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace

SAINTSFC.CO.UK
"Three successive away defeats have seen George Burley's men slip from automatic promotion contenders to scrambling to make the play-offs. But with two quickfire home games to come this week, they have the chance to push themselves right back into contention."