Its hard to find fault with anything or anyone after a comprenensive win.

A few weeks back I said that perhaps a 1-0 win in many ways was more satisfying than a big win in the fact that when you have drubbed somebody there is that feeling that perhaps they have had a bit of an off day rather than you have played that well.

But this cant be said about Saints victory over Boro, here was a well drilled side who dont concede that many and Saints got it right from word go.

I said on Friday that Nigel Adkins was going to need to make a few decisions to freshen up the side and he did that brilliantly, in defence bringing in Danny Butterfield in place of Frazer Richardson whether it was tactical or enforced was just what we needed at the back, yes we lost an attacking option going forward, but Butterfield defends a lot better and to be blunt we have so many attacking options in midfield, we could afford to sacrifice a little at the back to bring calm and experience in.

In midfield it was good to see Adam Lallana back and then came perhaps the selection that made the difference, pushing Guly up front and bringing Richard Chaplow in his place on the right, Guly scored the two goals that meant we dominated the game and upset the Boro rythym where they like to keep it tight and nick a goal somewhere and Chaplow's performance was nothing short of inspirational, possibly the best of a Saints player this season.

Its hard to find fault with any player, of course there were wayward balls from time to time, but every side will have that, but in general every player did his job and did it very well, from Kelvin Davis in goal to the final substitute, the team knew what they needed to do and they did it.

I said that bringing in Butterfield perhaps took an attacking edge away, however it was the ex Palace man who delivered the cross for Guly to head home the opener, and it was another Guly header for the second with a well worked goal straight from the training manual, with Lallana hitting an inch perfect cross that found Lambert at the far post with his header across goal screaming to be put in to an empty net with the Keeper stranded.

But it was important that we didnt throw the North East side a lifeline and just after the second Kelvin Davis needed to be alert to smother a through ball just ahead of a Boro striker, this is bread and butter goalkeeping and just what was needed.

Guly had a great chance of a hat trick before the break but his shot came back off the post and the half finished with Saints well on top and controlling the game with passing football.

The second half saw much the same as the first, Saints had to make sure that Boro didnt get back in it and also get the third goal that would make sure there was no way back for Boro,

Chaplow was now starting to pull the strings and seemed to be everywhere and as Boro had to push forward to tray and get back into the game, Saints got a third with a passing move that some have reported as 25 consecutive passes before the ball was finally laid back for David Connolly who struck it home with controlled power and accuracy.

All that was now needed was for Saints to run down the clock and they did so and almost incresed their lead as Boro tired.

So a great victory for Saints and as I said at the start very satisfying because Boro are a good well organised side who dont lose very often and dont concede many goals, indeed the three here were as many as they had conceded in their previous six away games, it was a job well done where you knew that if we had taken our eye off the ball at any time they would have taken their chance.

Its a result that gets Saints almost  back on track in the current form stakes as they now have 11 from the last six games, however all this good work against Boro will mean nothing if they dont despatch Peterborough on Tuesday and then get the away form back and beat Coventry.

But you feel that they can do this, there was a different buzz about the side against Boro, one that has been missing a little recently.          

Photo: Action Images

SaintNick50 added 10:29 - Oct 30 I enjoy this site because you get a wide range of opinions, but great to get a 'verdict' without a single negative, escuse me while I go completely over the top! Middlesborough come to St Mary's with a great record only conceding three in all their previous away games and we wiped them off the park. They hardly had a look in in the first half, and Guly should have had a hatrick (what about the one that didn't go in after hitting the inside of the post. The second half was just as good in that we did not concede whilst under Borough pressure. And what about Rickie's volly I am not sure how the goal keeper tipped that one over, his fingers must still be stinging! And as for the goal after 25 passes (just like Brazil!) I am so pleased for David Connolly because he has been playing really well. Surely our last three league results send out a real message - West Ham flying high unbeaten away and we win 1-0. Reading away we play poorley (by our standards) get a player sent off but still manage to claw one back and earn a point. Then this display against Middlesborough third in the league etc. etc. Bring on Peterborough, Coventry, Brighton, anybody, can't wait for the next game.

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ElSanto added 11:04 - Oct 30 Yeah, really good win! Chaplow is the kind of player you need in these divisions. His work ethic will breed consistency and stop slow starts. One thing that's really been bugging me over the last couple of days... Do you think Nigel Adkins uses sunbeds? How does he keep that tan?
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splurty added 12:00 - Oct 30 As above a great all round performance ,but what fills me with such confidence is the great form of kelvin as he is at long last on top of ALL aspects of keeping and that will be very important for the future ,and a special mention of chappers ,just where does he get that energy from ! Great time to be a saint COYR
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BlackRod added 12:12 - Oct 30 Even Nick struggles to find any negatives in this outstanding performance. He's right though that we will be undone if we lose to Peterboro. Boro are the division's second highest scorers with 28 goals so far against our 31 so it has the makings of another exciting game - hope the 26,000 spectators are there again. Particularly pleasing that Kelvin Davis is now looking like a safe pair of hands. Fonte is still not firing on all cylinders but has got better in the last week.

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sidsaint added 12:50 - Oct 30 What a great game. The third goal is what Saints is all about, patience, ball retention, great passing and a superb finish- brilliant.
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ericofarabia added 13:48 - Oct 30 Nige doesn't need a sun bed - the sun shines out of his ar5e!!!
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saintBob added 15:21 - Oct 30 Brilliant all round performance from Saints, it couldn't have been any better. I was apprehensive before the kick-off with regard to Boro's record but Saints completely outclassed them and finally proved why they are deservedly top of the league.
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Kiwifiedpom1 added 19:04 - Oct 30 'CHAPLOWS RUN'
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legod7 added 20:04 - Oct 30 Best performance by far so far this season. Beating a top three club so easily. So many positives in your report about every player. But Nick you still had to spoil it at the end with your dig about the Posh game on Tuesday
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iwtwms added 21:25 - Oct 30 Nick's quite right, we have to brush Plymouth aside as we did Boro. I don't think it was a dig but I can't see any reason why we won't win. It will be a big disappointment if we don't. If Saints can continue this form, the next half a dozen fixtures, on paper look like a great chance to accumulate the points.
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simmo400 added 06:22 - Oct 31 Saints played well and deserved there 3 nil win. But Boro had only won once in the last 6. so lets not get too carried away. Enjoy the football.
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iwtwms added 09:10 - Oct 31 Yeah, but simmo400 - Saints have always had trouble breaking down mean defences. Boro's away form was pretty good, so down play down the win. To say that they palyed well is the understatement of the year!
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simmo400 added 15:34 - Oct 31 Not playing down the win at all. Was a great performance by all. I feel that Peterborough will give us a harder game than Boro. There more attack minded and therefore more dangerous. COYR
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