More frustration for Saints

Saints 0, Colchester 0

From his appearances in front of the TV cameras thus far, and especially the report on that poor-person’s MotD that follows the main Premiership programme, Nigel Adkins comes across as smarter than the average lower division boss and unlikely to make a quotable PR gaffe. So nothing but positives for public consumption – including his views on the Milton Keynes game.

It’s hard to believe that behind the scenes there hadn’t been quite a lot said about the squad’s latest defeat, but the only change for the succeeding game, against Colchester, was the return of Barnard after suspension.

The match stats from the SFC website show that in many ways we performed well, with 60% possession, 8 shots on target (against 3), 8 shots off target (also against 3) and 10 corners (against 2). But isn’t that the tale of our season? Statistically we hadn’t dominated as completely as against Colchester, but across the four home league games so far they average at 54.5% possession, 7.75 shots on target (against 3), 10 shots off target (against 2.5) and 8 corners (against 3.25). Oh yes, and an average of 0.25 goals per game – which is where it all falls down.

I’m not sure whether the latest shots total is especially good or bad, but there weren’t many that go down as clear goal chances, especially if you take Lambert’s free kicks out of the equation. There were three of those that would have scared the visitors: one in the first half (just wide) and two in quick succession (knocked round the post) at the end of the game. The TV people were probably looking for more highlights from a featured match, but managed to find nothing beyond a close range effort from Lambert also blocked by goalkeeper Cousins. So still plenty to work on, but at least we’ve stopped conceding those sloppy goals, haven’t we? Well, the scoresheet suggests so, but Colchester must still be wondering how a late two-man breakaway, led by Odejayi but let down by Vincent’s poor finish, didn’t take an extra couple of points back to Essex. Nigel turned to forgotten men Holmes and Dickson in an attempt to change fortunes, and even Pulis Junior made the bench, presumably in another attempt to add fresh thinking.

LSSC Man of the Match: Oh no, the difficult bit again. With 60% possession, the midfield must have been doing something right, so I’ll go for Morgan Schneiderlein – but I can’t point to any memorable moments instigated by him (or anyone else).

Att: 17,857