a enjoyable cup match The difference was better passing from the PL team Could have been different if Nasser had picked his spot at 1 nil but alas he didnt Great performance from Ingram -we are lucky to have two great keepers

0

Much improved and at last some 'pressing' reappeared - where was it against Newcastle?? Thought Kakay and Sylla both showed promise. Hamalainen had a difficult match, often getting little covering support from midfield and facing Ndong who was very dangerous, but the lad still did ok. Didn't deserve some of the abuse I heard.

Can't make up my mind about Cousins. So far has been disappointing in games I've seen but managed 1 goal-line clearance and some good challenges last night. At other times gave ball away too easily.

I know JFH doesn't want to but I'd like to see Sylla and Seb up front and Chery on flanks. TC has been our best player so far this season, although there's precious little competition for that title, and I can see he his most dangerous in a free No 10 role, but maybe the overall shape of the team would be better?

0

After the last few awful Home games this was a big improvement sylla Washington and the kids did well in front of a supportive home fans . Much more effort and energy and if Connor had put that header in I think we would have won.Jimmy continued his wait and see approach with the subs usually after we have conceded would like to see us using subs to change a game rather than rescue it...and the subs last night did not work. A bit alarming Seb losing his touch and becoming a bit predictable despite losing an improvement on last few games... Who knows what team will turn up on saturday

0

Much improved and at last some 'pressing' reappeared - where was it against Newcastle?? Thought Kakay and Sylla both showed promise. Hamalainen had a difficult match, often getting little covering support from midfield and facing Ndong who was very dangerous, but the lad still did ok. Didn't deserve some of the abuse I heard.

Can't make up my mind about Cousins. So far has been disappointing in games I've seen but managed 1 goal-line clearance and some good challenges last night. At other times gave ball away too easily.

I know JFH doesn't want to but I'd like to see Sylla and Seb up front and Chery on flanks. TC has been our best player so far this season, although there's precious little competition for that title, and I can see he his most dangerous in a free No 10 role, but maybe the overall shape of the team would be better?

0

Better performance should have won the game second half wszolek was mom for me real threat down the wings won the ball full of energy.

0

I thought the two stand out players were Bartley and Wood, Bartley played his best game so far for us, completely dominated in the air and on the ground, showed great composure on the ball, and generally didn't put a foot wrong, also looks like a proper leader of men, well done Kyle you were immense today lad, and Mr Wood played out of his skin as well, easily his best performance of the season you should probably have grabbed yourself another goal or two but aside from that you were excellent in the way you led the line, well done lad, long may it continue, and finally Mr Cellini if there is any chance of signing Kyle Bartley please do it ASAP before somebody else does this kids a bit special of that I have no doubt.

0

Great performance, we ground them down until their fragile confidence completely collapsed, just what you need against a team out of form. A striker like CA who slots in his first chance after not getting a sniff for 40mins is golddust. Long may his form continue.

There were many good perfomances but in particular, VVD was stand out MOM, Betrand looked really good going forward, Cedric also have a good game, Davies was very effective, Hojlberg and Romeu snuffed out the Hammers midfield and Redmond was brilliant, winning the ball back with his pace and playing some really good passes.

Happy days indeed to see Saints playing like this, bring on Happol.

3

The game finally came to life in the last 5-10 mins of the first half - and boy did it come to life. A goal with the first shot of note in the match after both teams seemed content to cancel each other out. Austin with a left footed finish after a neat pass from Tadic set Bertrand down the left wing for a neat cut-back. After the goal, it was like the touch paper was lit. West Ham and their fans went into defeat mode and Saints carved out 3 or 4 other good chances, but it remained 1-0 at the break.

The second half saw Saints attack in numbers, press in numbers and if we lost the ball, Rom or VvD hoovered everything up. Everyone put in a shift, even Fonte improved as the game went on, having earlier had a few panic moments and wayward passes.

The second goal emphasised our performance. We lost the ball, pressed, won it back, Redmond played it to Austin and his neat pass cut out 2 defenders, leaving Tadic one on one. He sold the Keeper superbly and was left with a tap in to an empty net.

Our attacking was pure class and time and time again we hit the Hammers with pace and slick passing. W e should have really added to our goals as Hojbjerg 2, Davis 3, Tadic 2 and Redmond 2 all had excellent chances.

West Ham offered little chance wise, apart from a deflected shot that was cleared off the line and a Payet shot that went just wide. Special mention must also be made to Zaza. The Italian International was an alleged £20-25m target for us. He was woeful and offered little apart from theatrics to try to con penalties, earning a yellow card in the process.

We brought our subs on at good times and they were good decisions. Long replacing Austin was idea as CA was looking tired and Long has bags of energy. Tadic off for JWP was also good, although I though Davis may get pulled. Martina getting a few mins was to run the clock down. Not that that mattered in the end as JWP who had earlier had a shot saved, was on hand to slot home following a break down the left, involving Bert and Redmond - who sent Davis through into the box. His cut back, was aimed at Long, but a deflection set up JWP a treat and it really was game over.

Saints fans delerious and Hammers fans already on the tube .

"We've got more fans than you" rang out and as the players attempted a mistimed hand held salute.

Top day, top performace. Perhaps now the players and fans alike are appreciating the manager's tactics, formations and styles. 4 wins and 4 clean sheets have turned some heads and set us up nicely for 2 difficult games which hopefully will produce positive results with hopefully no jetlag or travel sickness !! :-)

2

Excellent summary TimSaint, very much reflects what I saw on the box. I think we all understand now how Puel is setting up our teams as the weeks go by. He is looking to be an extremely intelligent manager and is putting right some of the wrongs from the Koeman era. We have now got to the level whereby if changes are made, we can pretty much put the same player in, just with a different body and name on the shirt. That was something that didn't happen last season as there were to few players being used.
I am sure there will be difficult days ahead but it is noticeable how the naysayers have gone very quiet, particularly the ones who watch from far away. They know who they are!

0

Good result considering the home team are strong and physical, unbeaten at new home. Only a few Saints voices (God bless them for their passion) in a partisan crowd. Not our strongest team by far, so it was important to get a point. Some gaffs but on the whole they worked well as a unit. Long seems lost and frustrated. Lots of effort by Tadic and Redmond, Cuco and JWP. Virgil solid as always and Romeu was a mid-field rock.
Need our strongest team for Inter.
Same effort on Sunday and we should get some point(s) at Leicester.

0