Watford Away Drew 2 – 2
Last year’s summer transfer dealings were the cause of so many woes in the ensuing months but this time we have Johannes Spors in charge of them; the proof of his efforts will ultimately be in points gained. Out have gone Dibling and Fernandes, and neither looked likely to be worth their actual value in the Championship, while in has come proven second tier scorer Azaz – not just into the club but straight into the team at Watford. Downes was missing, though, due to illness, so Robinson and Fraser occupied midfield roles along with specialist Charles and proper full backs in Roerslev and Manning. Finally worthy of note to set the scene was the inclusion of Archer ahead of Armstrong, and there were signs that the new formation and/or new companion improved Archer’s game… or it could be just confidence after a midweek goal (and thanks to John for the Norwich report, which couldn’t have been easy after all that pre-match beer). Certainly no forward or midfielder could claim an assist for Archer’s opener scored after just ten minutes: Wood got something on Manning’s corner but the ball just seemed to bobble at his feet, allowing Archer to nip in and score. It was looking good in the opening quarter, but then Watford began to use their pace to threaten a defence that, after all, is mostly made up of centre backs. Not a total surprise, then, that the home team should equalise, although it took until nearly half way through a second period in which Southampton were generally on top. TV doesn’t show how Manning ended up on the floor when substitute Baah went clear, but the most likely explanation is that he just fell over and stayed down feeling sorry for himself; we were all feeling sorry when Baah drilled a well-struck shot past Bazunu from a narrow angle. On came Armstrong, Downs and Matsuki for the closing stages and almost immediately Saints won a free kick on the edge of the area, although no-one was quite sure why; Manning asked no questions as he hammered in his second free kick goal of the season, this one with a low shot. The lead didn’t last very long as Watford soon had a free kick of their own, from a bit further out, and Irankunda, who looks as though he can play a bit, smashed his effort into the top corner. Hard to say which side was the more likely to win the game in the remaining 9+5 minutes, and in the end neither did.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
15. Nathan Wood-Gordon, who was decent enough as this week’s third choice of centre back, and may even be bold enough to claim an assist.
24. Shea Charles, who may prefer not having Downes alongside him.
19. Cameron Archer, who ran around as though he meant it this week.
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