The losing streak was halted and it was Saints for once that were scoring in the first minute and that gave them the foundation and confidence to build on that and although they had to dig in, it was a pleasing victory.

There were again a few raised eyebrows an hour before the game when the line ups came out, the changes were rung, Stuart Armstrong, Kamaldeen Sulemana & Charly Alcatraz were restored to the starting line up and out went Ryan Fraser, Mason Holgate, Shea Charles and Che Adams, it was no surprise that Ryan Manning was back in at left back.

But would this line up gel was the big question and the confidence wasn't high amongst those I was with.

But before many had taken their seats Saints were ahead, a superb through ball from Kyle Walker Peters put Adam Armstrong through and although he was wide and it was a tight angle he dinked the ball home to send St Mary's wild and shocked.

The game settled down and it was clear that it was a different Saints side than most of the last few weeks, we seemed to be less frantic in pushing forward, more disciplined and it was paying dividends.

For the next half hour Leeds were not making it easy and Gavin Bazunu had to pull off a smart save to keep the scores level but then came the five minutes that swung the game, Sulemana laid a simple but effective pull back to Will Smallbone who slotted home in off the post to leave the keeper stranded.

Leeds were rocked but they weren't given much time to settle down and again it was Sulemana the provider and he found Adam Armstrong who took the ball tried to go across the defender, checked back and made himself space and slotted home from a position similar to his first.

So at the half hour mark the game was finely balanced, but on 35 minutes it had firmly swung in Southampton's favour.

At half time the Saints supporters seemed to be shocked at what they had witnessed, surely it was now a lead that even Saints could not throw away, but there was still a nagging doubt that they could and the older fans were talking of a similar game back in 2005 when a 3-0 half time lead was still in place with 70 minutes gone, but by the 90th it was a 4-3 defeat.

Leeds of course now had no choice to go for it and in the 58th minute the nerves started to jangle when Leeds pulled one back, would Saints stay strong or would they collapse as they did at Sunderland and to a lesser extent Middlesbrough.

The answer was that we stayed disciplined, we kept our shape and although at times we played a little too much tippy tappy football, we did temper that with a new willingness to clear the ball when it was needed.

At times it felt like we were playing against the referee as well, although there was barely a bad foul in the game, we still picked up four yellow cards with Leeds picking up just one.

The ref just seemed keen to show us a card and then a few minutes later when Leeds committed a similar foul, he might have given the free kick, there was not card shown.

Russell Martin made a change on the hour mark with Sulemana departing and Ryan Fraser coming on, then a couple of good changes with 20 minutes to go, taking off Alcatraz & Smallbone and adding fresh legs with Shea Charles and Che Adams entering the fray.

The last changes with 5 minutes to go saw both Armstrong's depart and Joe Aribo & James Bree come on, but he appeared to be playing as a winger and not as a defender, that was a strange one.

But hang on Saints did and on reflection it was a lot more comfortable that it felt right up to the final whistle.

Russell Martin and his team went a long way in this game to showing their critics that things are not as doom & gloom as has been claimed, Leeds were a team on a roll, they were looking to finish the day in the top six and look towards chasing down the leaders, they ended it on exactly the same points tally as Saints.

This highlights that we are still in the promotion frame, despite the four straight defeats, we are only 3 points off the play off spots, yes the 8 point gap between us and Leicester in 2nd might be big, but it is one step at a time, and our first goal is to be in that top six, something that could be achievable in the next week with two winnable games coming up.

Overall though this was a good display, personally I don't think the standard in this division is that high, Leeds are one of the better teams yet we beat them with an amount of ease, we showed that we can keep it tight at the back and we can create and score goals.

Some of those under fire in the squad put in a shift, Sulemana was named as man of the match and true his two assists showed that he made a contribution, but for me it was either Kyle Walker Peters, who was one player who seemed to be go past opponents with ease and create chances as well as defend, or Adam Armstrong who never stopped running and working and took his two goals very well and is now joint top scorer in the division.

But there were others who deserved a mention, Gavin Bazunu and his back four were strong, kept things tight, they were not scared to play the ball and the possession football game was still there, but they were also willing to clear it when they had to. Jan Bednarek especially was a big part in keeping the shape of the back line.

Things are not completely smooth, there are still things to iron out, but I think that we have one of the best squads in the Championship we just need to show it more often,

The critics pointed out our early good form was against teams that will not feature in the promotion race and that we struggled to beat them, but this was victory against one of the promotion favourites and a team that was in form arriving at St Mary's.

Saturday's game was about proving a few people wrong in their assessment that we were heading for the bottom not the top, true one win doesn't make all things great again, but it is a start and evidence that we can beat the better teams in this division.

But it all means nothing unless we build on it, we have to go on winning runs and keep going on winning runs.

This win was one to enjoy and savour, there will be other games not so enjoyable and time then to lambast the manager and the team, but if we are going to criticise we also have to give credit where credit is due.

Photo: Action Images

JoeEgg added 10:16 - Oct 1 " but if we are going to criticise we also have to give credit where credit is due." Fair point Nick - but at last Russell Martin chose a balanced and exciting starting eleven, and employed the likes of Sulemana, Alcaraz and Adam Armstrong in their most effective positions. Yes there was still too much tippy tappy football, but at least there were times when the ball was cleared quickly and we could launch a counter attack. I dont think Saturdays performance proved anybody wrong - except perhaps Russell Martin himself. I have said many times that Martin's style of football will not work consistently with the current squad of players and at long long last we played much of the time to our strengths which may yet see us join the promotion contenders. In all honesty, as Nick also says, there doesn't seem a lot +of quality in the Championship. The defence looked much better organised and Bazanu deserves great praise for the saves that he made at crucial times; We certanly made a useful Leeds side look very ordinary indeed! Above all this performance should raise the confidence levels of our players. The upcoming Stoke game looks just the perfectopportunity to demonstrate that as a team we have turned a very important corner, and that Russell Martin has learnt some crucial lessons.

13

Block8 added 10:18 - Oct 1 Oh what we can achieve if we just mix it up a bit & take our chances. We didn't give away an early goal & Armstrong's first finish was sublime. The back four looked like a back four Bednarek (would be my captain) was excellent in marshalling and talking to the others. We didn't go gungho, which actually created space for us to move into, & give Sulemana space to run and he'll frighten anyone. Thought we sat back a bit second half, as they pressed more & we had something to hold on to but hopefully that will go after a few confidence boosting games. Agree the ref seemed to punish us with yellows that Leeds avoided but equally could of sent Smallbone off, from my angle it was a booking? Also many won't agree but nice to see us kick the other way, although probably not our choice, with the proliferation of away fans at the Northam end there isn't a great benefit in my opinion. Something many feel still needs addressing. Stoke next COYR

3

Bridders2 added 10:22 - Oct 1 "Saturday's game was about proving a few people wrong in their assessment that we were heading for the bottom not the top" I would say this applies more to Russell Martin, in that it's proved that he was wrong and needed to change it. ie: use your best players( Alcaraz at last etc) move the ball up the field quicker, get the keeper to kick long and don't spend 80% of the game passing around your own penalty area.

14

landsdownsaint added 10:27 - Oct 1 RMs definatley got this one right . Hopefully he’s gonna stop blaming lose”s on last seasons fiasco & get on with the job , he’s got nothing to moan about , just seeing what we had on the bench makes you realise we’ve got the equal or best squad in this league , KWP absolutely outstanding yesterday … over to you Russ COYR
11

Ifonly added 10:29 - Oct 1 Yes agreed - we need to praise this performance. Much better. Also to praise RM for changing tactics. We lost the possession stats (good!) and won the more important goal stats. Seems that RM is capable of learning and adapting. I only hope he doesn't revert back to his purist ways if we start winning. This was much more like the way we need to play.
10

davenbennett added 10:48 - Oct 1 1st half was what I expected to see all season. Major differences were thar played best players in best positions, and crucially, allowed the backs and Bazunu to get rid if closed down. We didn't lose it once fannying about at the back. I've said, greatest threat to our goal this season has been playing slow suicide tippy tappy crappy football. Martin, I hope, has learned. Let's hope he continues to grow as a manager.

8

stmichael added 11:09 - Oct 1 Kicking to the Chapel 1st half has two major benefits.. One we kick to our vocal fans 2nd half.. Two the away team doesn’t.. So clear and obvious and I am astonished no one in the club has picked up on it…
3

Boris1977 added 11:35 - Oct 1 As you say Nick, credit where it's due RM put square pegs in square holes, started with two creative players whose attacking play took pressure off the back 4 reducing the opportunities for costly mistakes. We'll done to sulieman, alcraze, and kept but special mention to Adam Armstrong. He's been through a tough time over the past few years but he's never dropped off in effort and this season that's paying off. Pleased for him and if he's confident that's got to be good for saints. The next game will be a different challenge but playing the best players, in their most suited positions will provide the best opportunity to get points. COYRs

7

Boris1977 added 11:36 - Oct 1 KWP not kept
-2

ItchenNorth added 11:42 - Oct 1 Almost a perfect performance bar concerning a goal. The first half was really good and in the second, we saw out Leeds pressure in the first 15mins to end up fairly comfortable. I thought Bazunu, Bednarek, THB and in front Downes were really all stand out. Yes goals win games and but when under pressure that core spine yesterday held strong. After such a good game though, can someone tell me why St Marys was nearly half empty moving into added on time! Have people got a bus to catch or are they just so desperate for a pint they have to leave early? The players derseve(ed) more appreciation and support at the final whistle after a display like that !

7

Flamingbankers added 11:58 - Oct 1 Crucial that Martin changed his team and tactics and he did - credit to him. However, with Smallbone easily losing possession in midfield and Manning losing possession in the penalty area in the first 15 minutes, it did look like it might be a typical Saints/Martin experience. But we were lucky and Martin managed to pick the right combination of Alcarez and Sulemana who contributed greatly to all three goals. Without them in the team we could well have lost despite very good performances from half the team : A Armstrong, Bednarek, KWP, Bazunu and S Armstrong. If we can maintain the nucleus of this team and get them confident in playing together, as a team, we should improve and progress . However, as we've seen so often before, it's rarely that simple and could flip around the next game. It'll be interesting to see how Martin approaches the Stoke game after their 'shock' away victory against Bristol. There isn't Premiership quality in this division but the teams are all capable of causing an upset on their day. I worry about the complacency of some of our squad players and believe this is a barrier to being a confident cohesive team.

4

ItchenNorth added 12:02 - Oct 1 Concerning (yes!) but, conceding 😆
-1

Bowlercow added 12:06 - Oct 1 Russ said he stood by his possession based plan I thought he changed it That pass from KWP for the first goal would have been a sideways or backwards padd a week ago For both AA goals the ball was moved quickly from back to front in only 4/5 passes That first half would see off most teams in this league and the only change I would like to see is Charles for Smallbone or Downes

8

underweststand added 12:31 - Oct 1 Bowlercow ( above) agree with your analysis the quicker passing is more effective but I think your criticism of Smallbone is a bit unfair. He clearly isn't 100% again, having had two injury spells already this season but he moves around a lot (Prowsey-style) and taking him off close to the end and getting fresh legs is a good use of subs. It takes time for new signings to play themselves in, but Will has had red-and-white blood in his veins since he was 8 y. o. and plays for the badge and clearly values every game he's selected for. YES - Charles and Downes are both good signings, but maybe not automatic first choice starters quite yet, but DAJFU when called upon. Overall a much better team performance - even with minority possession. (47/53%)

-3

DellBoyWally added 13:38 - Oct 1 More excitement from Saints in this game than the previous 8 combined. Great not to see so much less phlim-phlam-shilly-shally-thumb-up-your-ass Rust ball. We kick off, ball goes back to Bazumu and WHAAAAM! up the field. You could see the shocked expressions on the Leeds' players and bench staff faces!! "This ain't meant to happen"!! Leeds had more possession because we kept them pressed in their own end with few outlets. The only time they put us under pressure was when we passed around at the back until someone did a 'Bazumu ball' and wellied it up the pitch. A good all-round performance, everyone contributed although I'd prefer to see Charles start at DCM. Smallbone looked more comfortable but he'd be my choice to step down. Bazumu was mostly untroubled and he "got rid", the defence was generally solid, Sulemana and Charlie purred, the midfield was mostly comfortable and AdamA did what AdamA does at this level. Still only 7.5/10 but that'll improve as the boys get used to playing proper football again!

4

felly1 added 14:20 - Oct 1 Great win. We are hopefully learning that to win lots of games or a least get a draw. You need a team of fighters and everyone has to win duels and get back behind the ball when you are under the cosh. If you do this every game eventually our better quality will open up the opposition. This is what we did last time we got promoted out of this league.
2

NewburySaint added 15:07 - Oct 1 It’s amazing what happens when you play your best team, your best players from the start! Other than Charles in for either Smallbone or Downes (take your pick who to leave out because both are pretty underwhelming) & Manning, but he has to play by default, that was pretty much it and has to be persevered with, barring injuries, moving forward, not that that’s rocket science…..

1

SaintPaulVW added 17:28 - Oct 1 Good win. RM has bent his principles a bit, even though he won't admit it. Wise man. Hopefully we can build on this and get a bit of momentum now. COYR
0

aceofthebase added 19:19 - Oct 1 A Good win. Can we please continue to let the fans pick our side?
0

halftimeorange added 19:30 - Oct 1 Gavin Bazunu's kicking in the first half was precision itself but, in the second it all changed and went from accurate to overweight. Why did that happen? What we had up front in the first half was speed in Sulemana, Alcaraz and Adam Armstrong and the former two passed the ball along the ground, not at the regular head height that most of our front men can't reach. I still need to see more sensible starting team selection from RM before he convinces me but, this was a start. As for the referee, he was diabolical, even the solitary yellow card handed out to Leeds was undeserved (as were three of our four). That sort of officiating cramps players style and does nothing for the flow of the game. Let's hope we don't see Mr Brooks again this season.

2

YosemiteSaint added 19:36 - Oct 1 Surgical finishing by AA; one wonders what might have been had he put some of those away last year. But, again, there's just more room to maneuver in the Championship; defenders are just nowhere near as tenacious as they are in the Prem (which helps explain why AA and CA knock in goals with ease in the Championship but get shut down in the EPL).
2

SanMarco added 09:27 - Oct 2 Great win - let's hope it is the start of a run with RM learning the lessons. No problem on this occasion but I would like to see us create a few more chances - we won't always be that ruthless with taking the ones we do get. With Sulemana showing an end product to go with his pace he needs to be starting. I agree on the comments about the ref but at least there is no VAR !!!

2

onetowatch added 12:43 - Oct 2 The points been made very well several times above...this wasn't about proving some fans wrong...this was RM realising he had to change, both in style - move the ball forward quicker - but most importantly, in team selection. Starting with KS, CA and SA was the difference, and he must realise that going forward.... Ps would still like to see SC start in DM position....

1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Exeter City Polls