What a difference a week makes ! Saints registered their third win in six days and marched on into the last 16 of the EFL Cup.

A week ago it was doom and gloom on social media with the more pessimistic of the Saints supporter base predicting a rocky week for manager Claude Puel and suggesting it could be the catalyst to start off the end of his tenure at St Mary's.

But with another win under his belt, the third in six days things are starting to look rosier at St Mary's and supporters are slowly but surely being turned round to the manager's way of doing things and realising that although sometimes change takes time and is painful, that doesn't mean that it is the wrong thing to do.

Once again Puel rotated his squad and this time used more of the youngsters with Jake Hesketh coming into the first team for his first game since coming off injured at Burnley in December 2014 and repaying the manager with a goal.

Elsewhere in the team it was a competitive debut in goal for Alex McCarthy and Harrison Reed came in for his first game of the season, indeed his first appearance of any sort since January and his first start since May 2015.

The good news was that like the Sparta Prague game Saints did not look phased by being a team with so many fringe players in the line up, they got a grip of the game early on and never took their feet off the gas and where good value for their money.

Shane Long was fouled just after the half hour mark and with Dusan Tadic on the bench Charlie Austin did not have to fight for the ball, despatcing his spot kick with aplomb.

That gave Saints the impetus and in the second half they doubled their lead, Shane Long had a good effort saved by the keeper and there was Jake Hesketh to fire home the rebound.

Hesketh naturally ran off in celebration meaning that few saw Shane Long kick the post in frustration, not that he begrudged the youngster his goal, but at the moment the Irishman just can't seem to get a break in front of goal and despite putting in his usual 100% effort and contributing greatly to the win, he desperately needs a goal to kick start his season.

For Saints fans though it was again pleasing to register a win and it was again pleasing to do so with the squad being rotated, so many times in the past we have seen games like this lost with fringe players being given a run out, but such is the nature of Saints squad these days is that not only are there so many quality experienced players in the squad, but the youngsters coming through are again showing they have the quality and could kick on a little bit, Jake Hesketh looked good in his games almost two years ago playing two good through balls into the path of first Charlie Austin and then Shane Long to show he can create as well as score and a goal in this game will get the fans on his side and give Claude Puel plenty to think about.

But it wasn't just the youngsters, Alex McCarthy in goal did what he had to and the likes of Matt Targett although not always appreciated by those supporters who always have to find a whipping boy is improving as a player with every game he plays.

But for Saints fans the real point to be taken from this game is that Claude Puel is learning as he goes on, he talk a week ago was about how Saints lack firepower, Charlie Austin has showed that he still has the touch that made him one of the Premier League's top scorers two seasons ago, Puel is fast learning how to harness Austin and use him within the system.

Add to that Shane Long who will end his barren run soon and new signing Sofiane Boufal, not to mention Jay Rodriguez and this squad isn't far away from surprising a few people, not least a fair percentage of it's own supporters.

There is still a long way to go in the season, but Saints are coming through a tough patch and are showing they have something about them.

Photo: Action Images

BEAZO added 10:56 - Sep 22 In my humble opinion all the Academy players featured did very well on the night obviously I am biased but I loved seeing the youngsters hold there own against a strong Palace line up.
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FrankSaint added 11:13 - Sep 22 It's also great to see three clean sheets in a row with three different defensive line ups. The squad maximise their win bonus with clean sheets so they have every reason to be happy. Well done to all the back room staff who have integrated a new manager and his ideas so quickly. Could this be a marriage made in heaven? We can be justly proud. Btw what did Everton do in the EFL cup?

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the_saint added 11:32 - Sep 22 Very impressed with youngsters last night and I think we have been playing good football all season Just been a bit unlucky I also think Cuco and Yoshi did well last night and are vastly improving under puel, still think we should have got a big man up front as my heart is always in my mouth when long goes down especially now j rod not fit again. Redmond is not a forward but he is a very good footballer hopefully claud can work his magic on him. And we have got boufal to come in Think it's about time we all get behind our manager now and show him just how good our fans are.

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Alehouse added 13:20 - Sep 22 I agree wholeheartedly with the comments about Hesketh and Reed. They both played with great promise, Ward constructively and Reed in a more defensive role. Anyone seeing Saints for the first time would have had know way of knowing that Ward Prowse and Clasie were the established midfielders. I don't agree with Nick's comment that Charlie Austin has recovered his touch. He scored from the penalty spot, but missed a hatful of easy chances in open play. He's getting into position but his finishing is a long way wide of the mark at the moment.

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IanRC added 19:49 - Sep 22 Thought Hesketh was outstanding, needs to strengthen up a bit but his eye for a pass was terrific. Don't understand why Taggart takes flak and unlike many here I rate Ward Prowse. On Charlie Austin I agree partly with Alehouse but his finish against Swansea suggest he is moving in the right direction. Not convinced about Redmond yet although he certainly has skill and potential. Shane Long may not have scored but his contribution was again immense, constantly unsettling the Palace defence. All told a good week. Let's hope we can keep it up.

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