This weeks look at the individual performances of the Saints team against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday at St Mary's.

Fraser Forster
Had little to do of real note and had no chance with the goal, other than that a solid display.
7

Nathaniel Clyne
Another good attacking performance from the right back, like Bertrand his attacking prowess is being used to full effect
8

Toby Alderweireld
Slotted back in and carried on where he left off against Newcastle, looked cool and confident and not only reads the game well but is strong when he is needed to be
8

José Fonte
Is raising his game with the responsibility of the captaincy as well as increased competition in the centre of defence, partners whoever is alongside him well.
8

Plastic Bertrand
Again like Clyne gets forward well and adds to the attack, capped a great game with a goal, would Luke Shaw have scored this ? I think we all know the answer to that
8

Dusan Tadic
Switched to the right but adapted well, again in the centre of most things we did in attack and was unlucky on a few occasions not to get on the scoresheet himself, as the saying goes is starting to make Lallana look shite
9

Steven Davis
The unsung hero of this team, Laurie McMenemy once said you need hoed carriers as well as violinists and Davis epitomises this, others got the plaudits but Davis was usually also at the heart of everything without the spectacular.
9

Morgan Schneiderlin
A quiet game by his own standards although nearly opened the scoring in the first half, a quiet game for Morgan is still better than most though
7

Wanyama
Justified his inclusion by breaking down QPR in the first half and justified his inclusion another solid game
8

Sadie Mane
A pleasing home debut capped by a sublime back heel to Bertrand for the opener, looks to have a combination of pace skill and nouns, could be a very exciting season with him in the squad.
8

Pelle
It wasn't just his match winning goal, throughout the game he made himself available and offered options for the ball to be played into him, the good thing he is scoring in open play rather than relying on scoring from dead balls, like Mane with him in the team it could be a great season, there must be a few red faces in the Northam End after this display
9

Substitutes
Jack Cork
Brought on to get the ball moved around and keep it after Wanyama had done his part of the deal and didn't let anyone down
8

Shane Long
There are some that would give the same chance they gave Pelle to show his worth, they have to realise this is a squad game and that using all the squad is vital, Long's work rate and bursts of speed catch people out and had an immediate impact with the cross that led to the winner, was unlucky not to score himself.
8

Matt Target
Only had a few minutes but looked composed and the manager must have a lot of faith in him to trust him in a delicate situation, we will be seeing a lot more of him
8

Manager
What can we say he got it right again with the starting line up and made the right changes at the right time, he is already becoming a legend with a combination of both a strong will aligned with a sense of humour not to mention footballing nous
8

The Match
A lot tougher than the last home match, we could have scored four again, but Rangers dug in and could have snatched a point, but we still looked like we could step up a gear and never looked like losing which we might well have done last year.
8

Photo: Action Images

brady100 added 22:29 - Sep 28 Fonte deserves so much credit for his improvement and adaptation since promotion. He really has gone from strength to strength, consistent, excellent on the ball and has rreally taken to the captaincy role.
1

arthurfane added 23:01 - Sep 28 Nick, did you write this? Usually love the stuff you write, but this really isn't very well written. What on earth is the 'footballing noun' you have mentioned twice? Do you mean 'nous'? That aside, delighted with how Saints are playing at the moment, especially with Pelle and Tadic who look like BRILLIANT signings. Mane looks very exciting too!
-2

bstokesaint added 23:02 - Sep 28 For me Anderweireld was man of the match. With the exception of a wonder goal by Charlie (always scores against Saints) Austin I thought Toby was outstanding at the back. There was one last ditch tackle I remember in the first half where QPR were almost through one on one and he slid in perfectly to win the ball, get to his feet and then dribble out of defence. Had we conceded then it could have been a different story. I thought we'd struggle to replace Lovren, but Toby is a different class again. We've done so well to bring him in. My wife and other friends at the game thought Wanyama was the stand out player. He certainly bossed the midfield like a tank in a china shop.

1

SaintNick added 23:08 - Sep 28 Sorry for the nouns lol new tablet and can't get used to predictive txt yet
0

ericofarabia added 06:50 - Sep 29 It's okay Nick, made a nice change from your usual Verbiage!! Hope Long manages to settle in before the boo boys get to him.
0

REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 11:51 - Sep 30 Yeah Long could prove to be a valuable squad member. He gives us a great option to bring on and cause a nightmare against tired defenders. He's come close to scoring a few times and will no doubt get off the mark soon.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Rochdale Polls