Due to computer problems in Milan the verdict is a little delayed, but here it is now and the final word will be patience.

This was a great in the history of Saints and probably the landmark of around 7,000 Saints supporters experiences following the club.

It was all about going to one of the most iconic cities and footballing stadiums in the World and perhaps thats where we went wrong on the pitch as well as off it.

The game was perhaps always going to be an anti climax and that being the case it was no surprise that we should lose it after almost totally dominating it and only allowing them one shot on target which sadly they finished with aplomb to win the match.

As was mentioned before the game, the stadium was eerily empty and it seemed like there were a lot less than the 26k the official attendance was given as, the Saints supporters were tightly packed into the second tier behind one of the goals and I would have said there were no more than around 19,000 in the ground, we were certainly not outnumbered by 3-1.

We were certainly not outsung 3-1 either and the support was superb, the truth was Saints played well, but as has been the pattern not just last season but the two preceding it, we do not take enough of our own chances and seem to let in far too many of those against us, we seem to need 7 on target to get a goal where the opposition seem to need only 4 or 4 at most on target and in this case only 1.

But we were a team decimated by injury, there will be those who will accuse the manager of fielding a weakened team, but the truth was that only Jose Fonte was a player we really should have played to ensure that there would be no mishaps.

But his exclusion could not be blamed for the goal, indeed Gazzetto Del Sport gave his replacement Yoshida top marks for Saints in their report, likewise James Ward Prowse who was in for Steven Davis.

The issue was not about lack of quality in the team, nor the manager tinkering, it is all about working on the finishing and concentration, do that and there are not that many problems.

Some Saints supporters after the game seemed to have forgotten about the horrendous run of injuries that we have and that some of the players out there were not 100% fit at the moment, but had to play, it is not a case of a thin squad, it is the number of injuries we have and indeed those having to play when they should be eased back into the team.

Jay Rodriguez was one of them, he should not be having to start games like this, he should be coming on for cameo roles as he was before his latest injury setback when he came off the bench to get a vital equaliser against Sunderland, showing that he still has what it takes.

Therefore the number of medical experts that we had in the crowd was amazing, so many people could tell that J Rod was finished, just by watching this performance, I do not think I have been on a metro train with so many top people in medical science since I went to the Royal College of Surgeons Xmas party in London a few years ago.

So that brings us to the last word and that is Patience, there will always be stormy waters and games that do not go for us, but overall we still continue to progress year in year out, those who like to sing "We come from League One" should remember that and ironically as we were in Italy, that Rome was not built in a day ( Funnily enough they also say that all roads lead to Rome, well the ones I staggered home along on Thursday night didnt, they didnt even lead to my hotel)

Anyway, I was going to leave Patience as the last word, but that would be unfair, we took a travelling army of 7,000 to Milan who were a credit to Southampton Football Club, we showed how to behave as football supporters and showed that even drinking the City dry before the game dos not mean that there will be trouble, much to the disappointment of the Carabineri after the game who just looked like they were looking forward to wading in given half the chance.

So the last word is Amazing

Photo: Action Images

ericofarabia added 10:54 - Oct 22 I said exactly the same wen we were finally allowed out. The Robocops looked totally p!ssed off that they didn't get to crack any heads!! I think the inflated crowd figures must have included all those police and stewards outside at the end of the game!! Saw so may old faces from days gone by, was amazed I didn't bump into you.
0

SalisburySaint added 12:11 - Oct 22 Think the crowd was probably right as section below us was packed Agree totally about Saints fans behaviour were a credit to the club, apart from the cheapskates at the Offside bar who went to a local shop/off license to get a load of bottles of Morreta
0

the_saint added 12:32 - Oct 22 I went to the canal area and was superb atmosphere few saints fans let us down towards the end when they started throwing bottles across the canal where other saints fans were standing apart from that I did not see any trouble . They were charging €4 for small bottle of beer we went to off licence and got bottles twice the size for €2 not being a cheapskate just using your head.

0

Horndeansaint added 13:03 - Oct 22 Patience is indeed a good start to describe where we are and what we can achieve. Journey would be my word to remember Milan by. Not only the journey there and back which was great and poses the question "when is a general strike not a general strike" the answer being of course, when it's in Italy! As my youngest son said, the Italians are so laid back, they can't even be bothered to not go to work! I think those of us who are life long Saints fans, 49 years in my case, appreciate the journey we are on at the moment. Those with shorter memories can't quite get that we aren't going to win every game and trade old experiences for newer better ones. We are moving in the right direction and improving year on year. Just look at what Inter won the year we won the JPT and you will see what I mean. This road trip was the number one for me, best ever by a mile. It gave us the sort of showcase for our club that we have always wanted. The city is beautiful, the Duomo cathedral in particular, very easy to get to and get around in and to see Saints shirts every way you looked was something we should all be very proud of. Best laugh for me was when our metro train was invaded by about 50 fans, singing all of the songs. The looks on the locals faces were like they expected to be murdered or worse but they soon realised that this was not a bunch of English hooligans but proper fans just having fun and were soon, to their credit, joining in! We can look forward to more experiences like this as long as we use it as an experience to build on. We won't loose many playing like we did and with players gaining experience, it all looks positive as far as I am concerned. Our journey continues.............

2

helpineedsomebody added 13:16 - Oct 22 well done the saints fans that were there its a pity the owner/ directors cant say thank you to you as well
1

Sanguin added 14:03 - Oct 22 I was disappointed in the lack of atmosphere and attendance more than anything else. Long isn't in scoring form and Rodriguez isn't back to his best yet. I thought Hojberg had a poor game too. Austin had a couple of more purposeful shots when he came on and I though Tadic was immense. Still, losing 1-0 at the San Siro is nothing to be ashamed of and the stats show that we were the better team. It's still all to play for and with two home games remaining in our group there's no reason we can't qualify.

3

SanMarco added 18:42 - Oct 22 JRod is the issue for me. Inter were there for the taking and we should have had it won by half time. JRod on current form is not good enough and shouldn't be playing in games like this. Well done to the Saints fans who livened my living room up with their constant singing. Just a shame they weren't rewarded with the win that we should have had. PS Can JWP hit the target when the ball is moving? That's Leicester and Inter where he has skied very good chances. He just about managed the sitter at Wet Spam.

6

halftimeorange added 18:45 - Oct 22 Wrap it up any way you like, goals win games and we simply aren't scoring enough and that is since the season started. Frustrating with so much talent in the team. I agree with Sanguin's comments about the players he mentions. I would also add that McQueen is likely to displace Targett in the pecking order very quickly.
4

mikesaint added 20:56 - Oct 22 Rotation is fine if you have a good squad we clearly don't. Should have bought better players in the summer and at least two new strikers to replace the two we sold. Players like Prowse, Martina and Yoshida are just not good enough for Saints. With Pelle and Mane would have beaten Inter.
1

DPeps added 20:59 - Oct 22 Inter Milan might not be the force they used to be, but they're not bad! While we can avoid to be wasteful against Burnley, teams like Inter will punish you. The problem was starting with two strikers who, frankly, can't hit a barn door between them at the minute. Must keep Austin fit...
5

mikesaint added 21:26 - Oct 22 Former player and current pundit Matt Le Tissier has suggested that Southampton would have beaten Inter Milan on Thursday had Charlie Austin been in the starting XI. Well said Matt Saints would have won had any on form striker started.
5

vanmans added 21:45 - Oct 22 Can we recall Sam Gallagher at least he is scoring goals better than the dead wood strikers we started with against Inter Milan.
1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Bristol City Polls