For long periods this looked like we could lose the game and be plunged into the relegation mire, but we finally came good late on.

It was good to see Claude Puel start with Shane Long, but there is something clearly wrong somewhere in the fact that Martin Caceres was still not in the starting line up.

I am going to be blunt here and say that we gambled last night in the defence that we put out, Jack Stephens and Sam McQueen are Championship quality players at best and as good a club man that Yoshida is he is not true Premier League quality or a leader and it looked like it might cost us dearly when Palace hit us with sucker blow on the half hour mark.

That sucker blow saw Sam McQueen fail to cut out a through ball and within seconds they had whipped the ball in and were ahead for an undeserved lead.

Although we looked good going forward and created chances, the fact was Palace had a game plan and that was sit back hit us on the break and with set pieces.

Benteke bullied Yoshida and Stephens and this meant that although we had plenty of possession and chances, the fact that we had taken only the one on the stroke of half time meant that throughout the second half we looked frail at the back.

Although the Eagles sat back, whenever they attacked you felt they might score, on set pieces especially they dominated in the air and neither Yoshida or Stephens got to grips with them and it was luck rather than judgement that meant that we went into the final 10 minutes even.

In my book with 30 minutes to go (at least) we should have been bringing Caceres on to try to stem Palace's threat at set pieces, yet we did not make a substitution of any kind till the 87th minute.

Attacking wise I can understand that, the central midfield trio were all having outstanding games and the three attacking players were looking lively, it was hard to see how changing things would be an improvement, however defensively we creaked every time Palace got a set piece.

Yoshida's goal with 7 minutes to go was deserved for all our pressure and chances, however having scored it, Puel should have immediately changed things at the back, a good manager is pro active and not reactive.

On 87 minutes he brought Hojbjerg on for Steven Davis, this was a good change in that Davis had run himself into the ground, but it was in my book too little too late.

Ward Prowse's goal two minutes later sealed the game but looking at the game overall we gambled with our back four and it could have, like the Bournemouth game, gone either way.

Saints are a good side, but we are underperforming and when we look back on this season, yes it will be a case of injuries have had their affect, but there have been too many games like this that have been a case of going either way due to our frailties in the back four especially the centre.

This game went our way, but two many this season haven't and that is why although we are ninth, with the team we have we should be comfortably 8th and pushing Everton for 7th.

Ultimately Claude Puel's season will be defined by what he does in the final couple of month's, there have been moments early on when we have questioned his rotation policy, however he has seemingly turned full circle with that now and only makes changes either in the starting line up or substitutions sparingly.

There have been factors beyond his control, the Fonte issue for instance and the fact that we have lost key players like Austin, Van Dijk and Gabbiadini at vital times and for extended periods, however now he has to show us he can handle these situations.

Last night I think was more luck than judgement and remember I am not one of those who got on his back early in the season, I have counselled that we have to be patient and give him the season to show he has learnt from experience.

Last night though and in the game against Bournemouth I saw nothing to suggest that he had and that worries me.

It is not about his demeanor or his playing style, I think in the case of the latter that works fine going forward and with everyone fit it will score goals, however he doesn't seem able to be pro active and spot what is going wrong and deal with it before it costs us dearly, both on Saturday and last night it has only been luck, the woodwork and poor finishing that has meant that we have taken four points and not zero, if that had been the case then the league table would look very alarming this morning.

Photo: Action Images

hmmm added 10:18 - Apr 6 Our biggest problem this season is shot conversion, including of "quality" chances where we are last in the league. We did not get lucky last night, as you suggest. With a goalscorer up front we would have scored a hatload last night, and this is true of several other games this season, as the impact of Gabbiadini has already proved. Whilst I agree with you that Yoshida and Stephens look frail, particularly when the ball is in the air, and particularly against big, physical forwards. In their defence, excuse the pun, they are very good ball players, although admittedly this isn't their primary job, and with them in the team we play the ball out from the back extremely well. Don't get me wrong I am not their biggest supporters, and would certainly like to see what Caceres has to offer

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landerwal added 10:51 - Apr 6 The non selection of Caceres can only mean he has been bought in for cover. Experience is the biggest asset a centre back can have and the transfer of Fonte and injury to VVD means Stephen's can get that experience in the Premiership. Saying Stephen's is Championship standard might be true at the moment but he is only 23. How many other Premiership clubs have under 25 playing regularly in their 1st team. Stephen's is getting better with every match and Puel must be continuously playing him with one eye on next season with the possible departure of VVD. For my money he's a really good prospect.

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SonicBoom added 11:05 - Apr 6 I think I mentioned several times earlier in the season that he doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes. He stubbornly sticks to one thing regardless of the result. It's been a confusing season, some highlights and some dreadful football. Even the cup final. The club have made a lot of mileage from it, but we only took it seriously from the quarters and the teams we put out before that could easily have lost. That showed we were happy to gamble on being knocked out.

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saintmark1976 added 11:17 - Apr 6 I respect your position to say it Nick, after all it's your site but you really do have some sort of a problem with Yoshida. On your own admission he was not at fault for Palaces goal and breaks the deadlock by scoring ours yet you still give him a good going over. Please just give it a rest.Truly it's becoming boring now.
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law101 added 11:19 - Apr 6 Not to worry, West Brom will play right into our hands this weekend with their set piece/ direct style.....
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aceofthebase added 11:19 - Apr 6 Great result despite several factors. Nicks saviour Shane Long, who I like, missed four clear chances that Jay or Manola might have buried. Yoshidas clear leadership was an inspiration in defence and so was Stephens who despite losing a few inches to the opposition effectively tamed them and also helped out in the attack. A very shrewd team selection considering our injuries by our excellent manager gave us the fighting edge. Those that doubted our fellows proved wrong again. It's what is needed for our defence and midfield to help out with putting the ball in the net and it's obvious that training has been to get more players into the box. JWP is slowly developing into a more attacking player. We gave away an early goal, but what team at our level is faultless, more important was the wonderful team spirit displayed and lots of legal fight. Well done Saints

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petesmaterob added 11:20 - Apr 6 I normally agree with most of your comments Nick but feel you a little hard on the performance last night. Palace were on a very good winning run, we have lost our two best players and are effectively playing our 2nd choice center half pairing yet in my opinion we deserved the win. There were good performances throughout the team, although god knows whats happened to Fraser's distribution, and C P got the tactics spot on after nearly making a complete hash of it against Bournemouth. Most fans would have feared the worse when we lost Virgil but apart from the debacle against Arsenal in the cup I feel we have performed ok and not gone into freefall.

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ancientbriton added 12:04 - Apr 6 There's a big sign on the gasometer end of St. Mary's saying "WE MOVE KEEP MOVING FORWARDS" ~ praps we should move some full backs as well?
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redandwhitedee added 12:05 - Apr 6 Did you even go to the game ??? or is this another like the Arsenal pre-season friendly a few years ago when you got the result wrong ? I started to read your article then got too annoyed to finish it. You are talking nonsense about Caceres. Jack Stephens was excellent last night (as he ws against B'mouth, and deserves to keep the shirt. He is gaining in composure with every game. How are you placed to judge whether caceres is performing better than Stephens ? That is what we have a manager for, and when you were continually bemoaning JWP and Yoshida, the Manager's faith in them to step up has proven you wrong .. again. Yoshida also was superb yet again - and a great team player. I would have him over Fonte any day (who right now is proving to everyone that he was carried by VVD. JWP was magnificent. He is essential to our entire team now. On another day we would have won that game 7-1.. The team played very well and it is only a matter of luck in front of goal right now.

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pete_boggs added 12:09 - Apr 6 Spot on this week Nick. Both CB's caught out repeatedly with the ball going behind and it looked as if the game was going to go to Palace eventually. I thought Redmond was our best player and caused them problems with his pace and determined dribbling and he won the game for us with his assist for Yoshi. I agree with your subs criticism as well and thought that McQueen, Davis and Long should have been replaced much earlier. Unfortunately Puel is poor at choosing the right team and his subs are not right. Let's hope he is replaced with the new owners as he is only winning games by luck at the moment.

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bstokesaint added 12:12 - Apr 6 I couldn't help but chuckle when three of our 'boo boys' scored to give us what is actually a decent win against a resurgent Palace team. And Redmond picked up the MOTM too. I get that a swallow doesn't make a summer, but surely it's time to start cutting some of these players some slack. There have been noticeable improvements from some of our under fire players over the course of the season. On another note can we quit talking about relegation now too and focus more on the fact that we are ninth with two games in hand? It's pretty embarrassing as a Saints' fan to hear other so-called supporters of the club throwing in the relegation towel after just 31 minutes of a match! That's no way to support your club.

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bstokesaint added 12:13 - Apr 6 And as for the Yoshi bashing yet again, it's becoming a little farcical now. How can you say Nick he's not a PL player when he's played so many games under a number of managers? You can't compare him to VVD or Toby maybe, but they're world class defenders, that very few clubs would have the luxury of enjoying two of together. Given the way Fonte is playing for West Ham it makes you wonder if he really is much, if at all, better than Yoshi and he always had the luxury of his game being 'brought up' for him by a better pairing player. As for the goal, it was just a tap-in, but it was striker-like anticipation by Yoshi that the ball would bypass a handful of Palace players. A good read from him.

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131153 added 12:15 - Apr 6 I certainly thought last night we could easily have lost the game, however I suspect most of the supporters of teams other than the top 6 feel that at most matches. I have no doubt Caceras was bought solely as a back up in case of further injuries. If Stephens can gain experience until the end of the season I feel we may have a Prem standard player in the future. Also can't believe the criticism levelled at Yoshida he has improved throughout the season. It is very difficult to feel confident about the standard of referees this season. How one can give a penalty to Bournemouth for the merest of touches and not give one for the foul last night let alone the handball is beyond me. Still it was worth the admission money alone to see Allardicci and lee going potty on the line. Also I could have virtually written Allerdici's post match interview before he Vopened his mouth. Glorious.

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Hugh_Jarce added 13:36 - Apr 6 We created a lot of good chances last night and eventually converted them. It felt like whatever we did it wouldn't go in the net until last thing t turned out ok. Yes there was pressure on if we had lost. But we didn't.hought Maya and Stephens played well against an in form counter attacking team.
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whitty added 13:43 - Apr 6 I am not a fan of Yoshida but must hold my hands up and admit by his standards he has been outstanding this season with few of the costly lapses he has made in the past. No doubt he has benefited from playing regularly but next season I`d like to see him back to be being a great squad player and wouldn't be happy if we gamble again on him and Stephens. I`m sure on reflection season this will be a memorable season for us fans with visits to the San Siro and Wembley in a major final but if we hadn't gambled in team selections it could of been so much more successful with a little more luck on injuries and the officials. Let`s not gamble again next season. Wishful thinking!!!

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ItchenNorth added 14:01 - Apr 6 I am usually in broad agreement with your articles Nick, but I cannot work this one at all, its all very strange. It's the Premier League, ever game is tough, Palace, Bournemouth or whoever you face: no one is going to roll over for you week in week out ! If Stephens is Championship at best and Yoshida is not true Premier League quality: they are doing a fairly good impression of the required PL standard considering in our 5 league games we’ve picked up 10 out of a possible 13 points ! And without Gabbi we’ve still scored 4 goals in 3 games as well. Although Saturday was not our derby, it was for Bournemouth, it was that type of game; very tight, no goals. So I’m not saying that there isn’t better out there than Jack or Yoshi, but with no VVD, Bertrand missing, Fonte gone; we need to cut the back four some slack. Soares was again outstanding last night and surely in with a great shout alongside Romeu and VVD for player of the season. There is also no mention of Tadic’s performance either, which in the second half at least was outstanding. Although our finishing could again be criticised, Tadic, Redmond and Long were running their back line ragged for most of the game. Romeu was outstanding yet again, Davis and JWP probably had their best game for some weeks. I agree wins have been in the balance recently, but it's a bloody tough league let’s not forget.

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steve73 added 14:27 - Apr 6 Didn't read the article, I literally can't bear the tone of them anymore but I do enjoy reading the comments from some excellent posters on here, so... What's to complain about? After the mind numbing dross served up for the first half of the season this was fantastic entertainment. Yes, on another day we could have lost but I'd take this open, exciting stlye over a pragmatic one any time. It is possible to be both entertaining and succesful, it doesn't have to be one or the other. And there's no point bleating about the absence of Caceres, there must be a very good reason why he isn't playing. Stephens and Yoshida are doing okay...not long term for sure but they're both capable. I enjoyed the game and sometimes I think we forget that's the most important thing about it all.

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BoondockSaint added 14:29 - Apr 6 Score line looks comfortable, but it was touch and go until the last few minutes. Glad to see Redmond is continuing his new-found energetic game. Also glad for Yoshi as he has improved over the season and has cut down on the big mistakes. Not a fan of JWP's deadball skills, but he has two in a row from scrambles in the box, so maybe that's where he should be playing and leave the frees and corners to Tadic. Ref had a bad night, but it evened out as he missed the foul by JWP leading to Redmond's goal and Long should have be booked for a dive.

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arthurfane added 14:46 - Apr 6 Appalling referee. We should have had two penalties, and our first should really have been disallowed for a foul on Zaha. Those are the loudest half time boos for a referee I think I've ever heard. Nick - quit the negativity will you? We won, and I think Puel's management - NOT changing things and bringing on Caceres to shore up the defence - allowed us to press on and get the deciding goals. Terrible post from pete_boggs - yes McQueen wasn't playing well, but who on earth were we going to replace him with? Davis and Long had excellent games - yes the latter finished terribly, but his pace allowed him to carve out great chances and he never stopped running and harassing the Palace defence. Soares was very impressive once more, Yoshida looked like a leader, and Stephens is slowly but surely maturing, barring some sketchy panicked passes out from the back. Redmond was a constant threat, attacking at pace, and Tadic had his best game in some time. Absolutely ran the show in the final 20mins or so. Benteke was hugely impressive so big shout out to the CBs and Romeu for dealing with him. JWP is finally fulfilling that huge potential! Come on Saints - BIG game on Saturday. Win and 8th is realistic!

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hmmm added 16:04 - Apr 6 I've just had a quick check, and apparently the sun will rise again tomorrow, so Nick's negativity will continue. Steve73, I'm with you, generally I just read the comments
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Consigliere added 16:05 - Apr 6 I normally agree with Nick but not this time - you seem to have been at a different game to everyone else! Palace have become a very decent side, their beating of Chelsea did not happen by accident. They have big, physical strikers and they attack with pace and determination. Yoshida and Stevens did well to keep them at bay for most of the game. This was a much more difficult game than Bournemouth at the weekend notwithstanding the result. The difference was that yesterday we kept the midfield intact during the second half, and it is not surprising that the goals came from midfield and defence. Of course, it is easy to bemoan the missed chances and lack of goals from Long and Redmond (who incidentally both had an excellent game) but the Palace defence is as strong and organised, as you would expect from an Allardyce side. JWP, Davis and of course Romeu were once again at the heart of the team and there was a bit less of the back-passing that so irritates the fans. No complaints from this supporter!

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NewburySaint added 16:05 - Apr 6 Negative article in what I saw as our most complete home performance of the season, barring 10-15 mins in the middle of the 1st half. I find the criticism of our centre half's performances last night incredible-sometimes all you can do is compete with players like Benteke, let them know you're around, even if it means you don't win any / many battles, and compete is exactly what they did, Yoshi in particular. I would also go so far as to say now that we are virtually safe (we really shouldn't be talking about "being safe" by the way!) barring injury Yoshi & Stephens should see it out to the season's end unless we have long term plans to sign Cacares, which I assume not otherwise he surely would've already played for us.

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allsaint54 added 16:28 - Apr 6 Good win in the end. Special mention to Redmond who was outstanding, also Tadic had one of his better games, he even played the full 90 min. My concern is still Forster. Yet again can't save anything unless straight at him, he never comes out for crosses, distribution is lousy & the way he sets up walls looks suspect. No wonder back four look jittery at times as there is no confidence being instilled from their keeper. Time for a rethink for next season.

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TheWestStand added 17:07 - Apr 6 Hmm is spot on. If we'd converted just the division average of chances created we'd be around 10 points better off. In 45 years of watching Saints I can't remember such a lack of goals from midfield. Long is just a runner with absolutely no ability to finish Four excellent chances last night totally wasted. He's Championship or League one at best. Gabbiadini has shown what can be achieved with the service from midfield and the full backs. I'm a big fan of Puel - if we can keep Gabbiadini fit, replace along and JRod with someone half decent and bring on Boufal the future is bright.

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darkangelv2 added 17:17 - Apr 6 I don’t understand how you can state that the defence was a gamble last night? The alternatives available were Caceres or Pied. Surely, playing Caceres for the first time vs a centre back pairing we've had since January would have been a gamble? Plus, you have NO idea what he's looking like in training.... So what was the gamble?
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