It was a hard fought game with Saints having to come from behind to force a win against a Coventry side who came at them with all guns blazing, but Saints battled right to the final minute of extra time injury time to make sure they were in the 5th round draw.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has usually kept the foundations of his first choice XI for the FA Cup, but for this one he made wholesale changes, although such is the depth of the squad at the moment, only debutant Thierry Small had no real first team experience and all of his fellow outfield players had been first choice players at some point.

Ralph had gone for three at the back, but it looked a bit shaky with Yan Valery inexperienced in this role, Lyanco still finding his way in English football and Jack Stephens being the trio entrusted.

Thierry Small and Tino Livramento were employed as wing backs with Ibrahima Diallo joining James Ward Prowse in the centre, up front Shane Long was joined by Adam Armstrong with Theo Walcott seemingly playing a free role.

From the start it was clear that the Sky Blues were here for a game and although we looked fairly strong early doors, the warning signs were there.

They weren't heeded and just as Saints looked like they had a hold on the game Coventry popped up and scored, for the rest of the half we huffed and puffed but rarely threatened.

We had to re jig in the 34th minute when Lyanco had to go off through injury and with no recognised central defender on the bench that meant adapting with Nathan Redmond the replacement.

Half time saw two changes, on came Walker Peters on for Small, who had had a promising if not explosive debut and would probably have stayed on longer if it hadn't been for the issues at the back and on the other side Stuart Armstrong came on for his namesake Adam and we re jigged the formation a little.

Just after the hour came the breakthrough and it was a swerving dipping shot from distance that flew in from Stuart Armstrong that drew us level, it was a shot that JWP, Matt Le Tissier and Rickie Lambert would all have been proud of and is right up there as one of the greatest goals at St Mary's

On came Armando Broja for Walcott and surely now Coventry would be breached again, that would not be the case though and despite dominating possession we couldn't score again and it was extra time.

Coventry dug in, but with only 8 minutes to go Kyle Walker Peters tucked the ball away to give Saints surely the winning goal.

But the Sky Blues hadn't read the script and kept going as if their lives depending on it, as injury time loomed the warning signs were there, a free header flashed just wide when it looked easier to score and then came Willy Caballeros moment, he saved once, he got up and saved again, at the third attempt he almost blocked again, but the Coventry man was clearly offside as the ball was forced home.

But Caballero had done his job in not giving up what looked like lost causes and these saves and a couple of others early in the game make a case for him to be man of the match.

But with the final whistle blown, the nature of the job doesn't matter, all that matters is that we are in the 5th round draw.

In many respects it was a pleasing result, what was in effect a virtual second string side could beat a good Championship side and that bodes well for the Premier league, i have always said that it is not just about the eleven out on the pitch in any game, it is about who you have on the bench as they are the people who you need to go to, either to change the game or to shore it up, last season too often our bench was full of kids, this season it is different and we have options.

It wasn't all positive though, there was still too much slackness on show, sometimes we have to learn when to put our foot through the ball and when to make a simple pass rather than a difficult one.

Again a team performance with a couple of outstanding contributions, namely Caballero and that stunner from Stuart Armstrong, some were critical of Ralph in the pub after saying he changed the team too much, but with two games in the next 7 days coming up, he needed to conserve the energy of the bulk of the team that will face both Spurs & United.

Photo: Action Images

Boris1977 added 10:19 - Feb 6 An arrogant starting 11 and fortunate to get away with it. The players have had 10 days off since the last match so no excuse for wholesale changes. Ralph redeemed himself so maybe has learnt a few lessons - about time. Thankfully we progressed which is ultimately the goal. If anything yesterday's starting 11 should remind everyone how thin the squad is beyond the first 11 and if we had the number of injuries suffered last year we'd be struggling again. COYRs

-2

SaintNick added 10:32 - Feb 6 Its not about having had time off its about having to now play three times in seven days, it was still an experienced side out there though, most of them had been first choice players at some point in the past couple of seasons
13

reeder added 10:39 - Feb 6 Thierry Small didn't have a clue and at one point even refused a pass when clearly in space, this lad needs to go on loan somewhere as he is no where near ready to play for us, and needs to shed a few pounds too. Much better second half relieved to be in the next round COYR
4

SaintPaulVW added 10:42 - Feb 6 With a further 2 games to play this week, it was sensible to rest players. However giving Small his debut in an unsettled back 5 was too much of an ask for me. He looked good going forward but his role in defence needed work which was to really be expected given his age. Definitely showed flashes tho and hopefully a great learning experience. Agree with Nick's report. Although B team didn't really work until A team players started being subbed on. Amongst all the off days and 50:50 performances, my main concern was A Armstrong. I would have thought he would have rediscovered some form against Swansea and Coventry. However he still looks like a square peg in our attack. Seems to hesitate and get too close to defenders often losing the ball cheaply and scuffs weak shots at the first sight of goal. Shane Long does far more with far less these days. Hopefully he will find some form but I'm getting a bit concerned. Still in the cup which is all that really matters and a great goal to remember. COYR

11

davidargyll added 10:43 - Feb 6 You reap what you sow… Ok, mess around with the forwards in a Cup game if you like but, not with the defence, with too much on JWP’s shoulders when up against a Coventry team with nothing to lose. And with the 10 changes Ralph made - presumably so he could play a full squad in the next two PL fixtures - he certainly produced a load of weeds. This second XI all looked to me terrified of making a mistake, probably understandably playing more to show they were suitable candidates for a permanent spot. But against a team playing five at the back, this plan, if indeed that’s what it was (which I doubt), resulted in a Mexican stand-off with lots of passing sideways and backwards and zero penetration going forward. And guess what, we were caught by a long ball when the inevitable fast break came. So the changes when they came were entirely justified, and we did look much better in H2 once the cavalry was on but there was clearly a price we had to pay, witness the five cards awarded against the oppo. And the sight of Lyanco hobbling round the pitch and worse Broja being carried off by two assistant coaches was not pretty. A couple of observations: 1. Stuart Armstrong’s goal must be a candidate for GOTS. 2. I heard that RH thought Valery was brilliant; I thought he was complete rubbish, most of the time, and why did he NEVER pass forward to Tino, as a result of which there was zero momentum down the right wing until the second half? 3. My friend next to me thought that every time Diallo touched, or tried to touch the ball, disaster loomed; I’d prefer to say he’s had better days… 4. KWP looked great, his goal was slippy but wonderful and looks dead confident in defence; 5. It should have been as plain as daylight to everyone on the pitch that the only way to penetrate their defence was balls over the top to get in behind them so why barely a couple in the whole game? Too much “safety first” I’m afraid… 6. Thierry Small’s inexperience showed huge (hopefully he is still the diamond we have been lead to believe he is - great header though, pity it was the wrong end!); and Jack Stephens seemed to have lost a pace or two since being out; solid but no OR. In summary more entertaining stuff at SMG, but at a price - it looks like Adam Armstrong is going to get a lot more game time in the next three or four weeks to try and get on the score sheet. Thank goodness Stuart of that ilk is back in tip top form.

8

felly1 added 11:15 - Feb 6 Some of the criticism of Small is a bit harsh. It's the guys first game for us and yes he had a pretty shaky start, I thought he began to improve as the half went on and got down the wing and put in some half decent crosses. Coventry were a pretty decent side and we were on the back foot for most of the first half where we had zero penetration and a shaky defence . Two great strikes from Stu and the top class KWP papered over the cracks. Didnt enjoy having about 100 or so Coventry fans directly behind me in the Itchen, there was a real feeling of aggression and lack of stewards about, Saints really need to look into how that happened, along with how the Coventry fans overwhelmed the stewards in the Northam who weren't able to stop their mob charging towards our fans in the Itchen.

7

JoeEgg added 11:26 - Feb 6 Some interesting observations particuafrom the likes of davidargyll and a difficult game to either sum up accuraelt or understand! once again I sing the praises of KWP and it was good to have Stuart Armstrong back. Ralph's starting line up was puzzling to say the least. Introduce Thierry Small but surely only when you have a back line that is organised and used to playing together. I agree that Valery was by noi means the brilliant success athgat Ralph seemed to imply and once again I find the manager's post match comments almost as baffling as his team selection and tactics!

3

JoeEgg added 11:42 - Feb 6 Sorry about the half article! Some interesting observations particularly from the likes of davidargyll and a difficult game to either sum up accurately or understand! Once again I sing the praises of KWP and it was also good to have Stuart Armstrong back. Ralph's starting line up was puzzling to say the least. Introduce Thierry Small but surely only when you have a back line that is organised and used to playing together. I agree that Valery was by no means the brilliant success that Ralph seemed to imply and once again I find the manager's post match comments almost as baffling as his team selections and tactics! Coventry have a side and manager ideally suited to directing constant pressure of our team and the last thing you needed was another tinkering from Ralph with so many players left in unfamiliar situations. Of course Ralph has Man Uthd and Spurs as his explanation for the initial team choice but once again it proved the wrong decision and we were very lucky to win this Cup Tie. Both Adam Armstrong and Theo Walcott contributed virtually nothing positive but again I reason that they were playing in a system that didn't suit them but certainly handed the iniative to Coventry. The limltations of the reserve squad were well and truly revealed in the first half, but during the last 15 minutes I'm not sure that the first choice players fared all that better. We have Caballeros to thank for our survival in extra time. So congratulations to Coventry for an amazing effort sustained right up to the final whistle. Nick claims that the only important thing that matters is that we won! I'm not so sure. I asked for a strong team from the start and lets have a great cup run. There's no telling if the outcome would have been different or if I will ever understand how Ralph's mind works!!!!

2

redwight added 11:50 - Feb 6 Strange how opinions differ. I thought that yesterday was the day Valery proved beyond doubt that he hasn't got what it takes at the top level. Dodgy defensively, he never ever tries to beat his man when going forward. He wasn't alone in that respect. Far to much side to side passing with Tino the only exception. This changed when the subs came on, especially KWP, AB and Redmond, for all the stick he takes on this site. At least he and they tried to make things happen. Unbelievable goal from Stuey. Was right behind it. Stunning.

4

Kingsland34 added 14:00 - Feb 6 Ralph is fortunate that he does not have the ignominy of an embarrassing cup exit on his head. The team selection and first half performance was even more dysfunctional than even Saints fans predicted when hearing of the line up. We knew that Coventry were doughty opponents so why hand them an advantage with an overplayed hand of team changes. Ralph should not be deluded that he can be like Pep or that there is a pool of fluid talent for him to experiment with. We should stay with our strengths and not underestimate our opponents and disrespect the fans and the Cup. By the way Coventry were good, well organised, quick on the ball and mostly finding their man. As good as several PL teams we have seen this season and can consider themselves unlucky. Lets hope RH has learned a lesson for when WHU arrive..

1

schatfield added 15:32 - Feb 6 Very lucky to scrape through cos we were awful. Particular standouts for the awful gang were Diallo (passes didnt work surprisingly), Redmond (didnt add anything attacking) but most of all was Walcott. Very ineffective and his chances of future spots in the side must becoming very slim now
0

Block8 added 16:09 - Feb 6 The opinions above had said most of what needed saying however it definitely seemed for the first half that we didn't know each other let alone play together. Do we play 1st against the rest in training? Taking off Adam Armstrong and continuing with the, completely anonymous, Theo Walcott was puzzling, Armstrong needs to be part of the future and Walcott is very much the past, so a strange decision for me. I've said before Stuart Armstrong would probably be the first or second name on my team sheet whoever we play. Especially at present when he needs games to obtain full fitness. Really don't see Walcott, Long or Valery here after the summer, so lets leave them out of the squads and put a couple of kids on the bench for some of the up-coming matches.

5

AmericanSaint added 17:00 - Feb 6 Ok, so all the people dogging RH for his team selection obviously dont have a big picture in mind. With 2 games coming this week, this was a game to get some of the fringe players time and it showed why they are fringe players. I think Small was a disaster at left back and needs so much more seasoning before he is even ready. I think Valery showed that he is not a Prem players and has been rightfully dropped. Twice he made horrendous mistakes that could have cost us without Willy C. in goal to save him. I think Jack Stephans showed why he is a back up as he slowed play down so much. I agree with all that Theo just needs to sit as he offered nothing. With the way Coventry set up, you needed someone who can attack them and open them up. While Redmond didnt have a stellar game, he came on and made things happen. he attack them and caused some havoc with was needed. But SA was the difference. His ball handling, dribbling and attacking really did change the dynamic of the game and he deserved that glorious goal. Ok, so now we have West ham and will need to start a full squad the next. FA game. On to the Tots game, which if we play like we did against MC, we can win. COYR

2

WestSussexSaint added 17:36 - Feb 6 I get the need to save some players for the PL games coming up but 10 changes from the Man City game was a step too far. When you need to play some non regulars or youngsters integrate them with first teamers, don’t throw them in althogther and expect it to work. Coventry were well up for the battle and had good discipline. A bit like a good version of Burnley. I hope Small gets another chance when playing in a settle side with confident players around him. He was all at sea yesterday and aside from one good run forward, he almost looked like he didn’t want the ball at times. Hope the experience hasn’t damaged his confidence too much. Valery and Walcott must be on borrowed time now. Diallo and Adam Armstrong were also poor yesterday. Stuey Armstrong showed his importance to the team and was absolute class. He was the main reason the game changed in our favour. Last word to the Coventry fans who in the main were outstanding in support of their team. It was a shame there were a few idiots both in the away end itself and dotted around the ground which shouldn’t be allowed to happen especially when there were so many kids in attendance yesterday. The club need to look again at how some away fans were able to get tickets in home areas.

1

A1079 added 17:43 - Feb 6 I know I seem out of kilter with everyone else but I strangely enjoyed the game. It felt a bit like football like it used to be with good support on both sides, an atmosphere and plenty of action even if all the action was not to our liking. I agree with most that has been written. We were woeful in the first half and Coventry could, perhaps should have gone in at half time 2 or 3 nil up. Thankfully they didn't. The team selection with the first half performance showed that there was too much tinkering of the team, though I understand why. But, bringing in Small when you have fundamentally changed a defence that has not played together (much) was perhaps not the best idea - though hindsight is a wonderful thing. Small had a torrid first half but he should not be measured on that at all. It is done, over with, he will grow into the team and will have much better days. There were alot of players in the first half that were just not clicking including some of our experienced ones and yes Walcott with his experience showed little of it. Completely pointless. Adam Armstrong - I am afraid I am coming to the conclusion that he needs to be shipped out in the summer.. I know Che Adams took a while to get going but he always showed something. I just don't see it happening with Adam Armstrong. Now if he proves me wrong and I am made to eat humble pie I will be very pleased. The changes in the 2nd half made a difference as we know and the biggest difference was Stuart Armstrong. His sublime goal and forward running changed us from the pedestrian team with sideways passing in the first half to a more purposeful one in the 2nd though still along way from being perfect. For me S Armstrong, KWP - another excellent performance from him who gives his all were our players of the game though Cabellero seemed up for it. JWP worked hard throughout even when things were not going well. It was not a great performance by us but we got through and RH kind of got away with it. We won't be able to do that against West Ham if we want any chance of progressing. Coventry were good. They were organised, solid and played some nice football. There has been quite alot of criticism about our vocal support. I don't have the best hearing in the world at my age but I thought both sets of supporters got behind their team. There were alot more families around and that may have influenced the type of support but we need them to come if we want their kids to support Southampton rather than be plastic supporters of a Liverpool or Man U etc. Yes, the attempted light show was a bit embarrassing - it was good at the Carabao final but that was different and it was to mark Marcus Liebherr. We are limited in our songs but when the fans do sing OWTS well it can raise the hairs on the back of your neck. I am not sure what has happened to some of our old songs - I doubt that many can remember the Woolston Ferry!!!!!!! Yes, not the greatest performance at all, but I enjoyed it. I never thought Coventry would be a walk over. I knew they would give their all and they made the most of our changes.

4

Colburn added 18:04 - Feb 6 So we played an unfamiliar starting eleven, not just a couple of raw or inexperienced players. This is clearly not the time to judge individuals, the time to do this is when individuals have to step in to the strongest set up and we can't expect them to step up to the plate without game time of sorts. Ralph decided, understandably given the Broja injury, to manage and prioritise the week of 3 games with two tough trips to spurs and utd.. We didn't play particularly well and yet are through to the next round. A 17-year old makes his bow and is nervous, starting without confidence but grew a little, I don't think we can expect anything more, considering the unfamiliarity of the starting eleven and shape. So I'm not really too sure what the issue is.... Fantastic strike from Stuey, that's what the focus should be, we won't see many better than that at St. Mary's.

2

Colburn added 18:11 - Feb 6 In addition, Chelsea played a full strength team and were nearly taken to penalties at home to Plymouth and Leicester just played a full strength team and were spanked 4-1 at Forest.. So there are no guarantees whatever line up you start WITH! Bring on the Hammers. UTS!
3

ItchenNorth added 19:11 - Feb 6 A very sloppy first half; no one had any urgency and we gave the ball away so many times. Small looked ok going forward on a couple occasions but he seemed slow to recognise other moments to drive forward. We were also getting exposed down our left and Small didn't seem to know whether to stick or twist. I'm sure he'll come good in time though. The second half was much better and Armstrong's goal was fantastic. The game in extra time looked all set for pens tbh, but thankfully it was avoided. Valery and Stephens we're a constant worry at the back all game. Both were really poor. Anyway; into the next round we go !

1

PaleRider added 03:21 - Feb 7 To be fair to Small, I think Diallo must share a proportion of the blame for his poor debut - to me he kept drifting across so that Small was crowded out. It didn't help that the first couple of things that Small did he unfortunately f*ckd up. Also no other player seemed to take any leadership and be talking to him. A Armstrong is way off the pace and Theo was just woeful - the latter should never play for the first team again. Maybe he should take Olly Lancaster's place in the B team? As he is not a CB, I thought Valery played really well for the majority of the game - certainly looked better than Stevens. Willy must be above McCarthy in the pecking order now. The double save in extra time was wonderful and his reaction to the offside also so The subs worked well - what a goal each from KWP and Stuey. Final word - JWP was immense. He was everywhere and was the fulcrum for our midfield.

1

PaleRider added 04:38 - Feb 7 The final, final word - I think Coventry were playing for penalties after we equalised - big mistake!
0

underweststand added 14:38 - Feb 7 Might sound strange from someone who is a lifetime Saints fan, but at one point ....I was beginning to feel sorry for Coventry. They were equal to everything that we attempted, and had much the best goal chances. Many people (above) reminded us that we need a fully-fit squad for the next two Prem. games instead of which we were almost back to a regular side at 90 mins. plus an extra 30 mins. that we could have done without. Walcott and Long are players who would normally feed on quick, forward passes instead of which they were often forced back in MF trying to pick up scraps. Captain Prowsey was everywhere trying to patch up the myriad misplaced passes. This game maybe remembered for Stuart Armstrong "worldy" and KWP, suddenly discovering a scoring talent that no-one knew he had, and finally we got the help of our 40 y.o. loaned keeper - who had to play linesman in order for us to win. Those of us who remember the 1976 Cup run, will also recall those extra time games , and many near-misses / lucky chances along the way, that eventually led us to Wembley. After two extra time wins (so far), one wonders if - with luck like this - we might make actually make it there again.(?)

0

SanMarco added 18:56 - Feb 7 Only one extra time in 76 underwest !! The Hugh Fisher equalizer in the first game was 15 seconds from the end. Also Norwich losing at home to Bradford City made the quarter-final a lot easier. But really what we had in 76 after the Villa game was the luck of the draw - and we took full advantage. Not sure Wet Spam counts as luck of the draw but it is certainly winnable.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Charlton Athletic Polls