Saints earned their third win out of four games when they faced Queens Park Rangers at St Mary's , but there were a lot of talking points even before the game had started, with two names not on the team sheets two new ones on the subs bench.

The talk in the pub and hour before the game was all about who would not be playing, rather than who was, there was no sign of Che Adams & Nathan Tella and most agreed that would suggest that they had played their last game for the club.

That has proved to be the case with Tella now gone to Bayer Leverkusen, but the future of Che Adams is right up in the air, Russell Martin has said of him, that his head is all over the place about whether he stays or goes and it is far from a done deal either way.

But two new names were not the bench, Ryan Fraser on loan from Newcastle and Flynn Downes who joined earlier in the week from West Ham also on loan.

The two men missing meant changes to the team from last week, in came Charly Alcatraz and Sam Amo-Ameyaw and a slight reshuffle with Adam Armstrong played in his best position of through the centre, something he has rarely done since arriving two years ago.

This would be the key to winning the game and it was no surprise at the end when he was named man of the match.

But when the dust had settled and the game kicked off there was the job of winning a game of football to be done.

IT was no surprise that from the start Saints played their possession game and QPR settled into sitting back and going on the break.

With 25 minutes gone came injury, Jack Stephens went down and was banging his fist on the grass in frustration and it was clear that he would not be continuing.

Perhaps the obvious choice would be a straight swap like for like with Armando Bella-Kotchap on the bench, but Russell Martin had other ideas, he dropped back Shea Charles into the back four and brought on Flynn Downes in the centre of midfield, this would be crucial in our win, it brought some pace into the back four that would prove priceless with QPR going on the break and Flynn Downes slotted in seamlessly into the centre of the park.

Sam Edozie had looked lively in the first half hour and he and Saints got just rewards when he fired home to put the home side into the lead, perhaps the keeper should have done better.

I hoped that this goal would give him the confidence to be able to deliver that end product, but this was perhaps his last truly positive contribution to the game, a little harsh perhaps, as both Charly Alcatraz & Sam Amo-Ameyaw had poor games themselves.

You hoped that this would now settle the game down, but as at Plymouth it did the opposite, as within two minutes Rangers were level, there was no real blame here, Colback hit a low hard shot that went in off the post.

It could have been worse through Gavin Bazunu kept out the original shot but the loose ball was fired home, luckily up went the offside flag and now no waiting around for VAR.

The second half saw QPR's confidence rising and it was the Saints defence the busier going into half time.

In the second half although again Saints had a lot of the possession, they would have 74% overall in the game, it was QPR who were direct, you didn't need to be a TV pundit to work out their tactics, get behind the ball and then bang it up for the lone striker.

Russell Martin made a double change 10 minutes after the restart, Sekou Mara coming on and Alcaraz going off, with Amo-Ameyaw departing for the debut of Ryan Fraser, Edozie changing wings.

On 64 minutes it was Saints ahead, the ball came to Adam Armstrong who wrong footed his marker swivelled and hit a crisp shot into the far corner to restore what had been a short lead in the first half.

Saints now had their best spell of the game, they got the crisp passing going, they kept the ball and passed and Ryan Fraser looked lively on the left wing, he was direct and causing QPR problems and he looks a more than suitable replacement for Nathan Tella.

So it seemed that Saints would see out the game with ease, but there was still a threat from QPR on the break and deep into injury time we got lucky, Rayan Kolli unable to get a shot away and we cooly picked up the ball and played it out of defence, in truth most of the crowd were having kittens that it wasn't thumped up field.

So another good win and all three of them have been 2-1, with the only blot on the landscape being the draw with Norwich.

But Russell Martin hit the nail on the head after the game when he told BBC Radio Solent:

"If you'd have said 10 points from 12 with all the nonsense going on and all the noise then I'm really pleased with that."

That perhaps sums up the first month of the season, we all knew it would be difficult given the uncertainty of who is staying and who is going, but with the end of the window only a few days away, so far we have not been too demoralised by the departures and it seems that those who have come in have looked like they will make positive contributions.

In this game both Ryan Fraser and Flynn Downes showed that they have brought experience to the team, Shea Charles is a rock in the centre of midfield and can also play in the centre of the back.

For the game at Sunderland next week Russell Martin is going to have selection problems, he finally has options in all areas, with the only big question remaining seemingly whether Che Adams stays or whether he goes and needs replacing.

All in all Saints supporters can be pleased with the start to the season, whilst there are of course some issues to be dealt with, we have come through the first four games unbeaten, we have scored 10 goals and earned 10 points, that is better than I would have hoped, but our ability to defend has been an issue.

However with the signing of Mason Holgate that has to improve things, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

But the best thing about the first month of the season is that the enjoyment is back, it is fun to go and watch Saints again, someone said in the pub that the ideal thing this season would be to get promoted and then refuse to to go up.

Another full house in the general seated areas proved that there is a core support out there who will come week in week out, that support had become tired of the Premier League, it had seen what is happening at the top of football and that they didn't like it.

So the difficult first month has now ended and we have come through it in terms of results unscathed, two points behind Leicester, the only team with 4 straight wins and three points ahead of West Brom who sit in 7th one place outside the play off spots.

This is a good solid start and one that we can now build on with our new signings both already here and perhaps about to arrive.

Russell Martin had perhaps a mixed reaction from the fans when he arrived, but he has shown that he deserves the support of the supporters, or at least the benefit of the doubt going forward from those still a little sceptical.

He has a system and a strategy and he has stuck with it, Selles & Jones had a squad that should have stayed up with the quality in there, they failed because they did not have faith in their own ability, the solution to a problem was always change, we never had a settled side or strategy, now we have it again with Russell Martin.

Although I have waxed lyrical about our start, I am not overwhelmed with emotion, I know that the real work starts next weekend, we have build the foundations we now have to keep building them, keep getting better week in week out.

We don't yet have a winning mentality, but we do have the never lose easily one and that is the first step in, a winning mentality comes with confidence and that builds with each win.

Two weeks ago I said that we were at our weakest point as we went into the game against Norwich, yet we didn't lose and we learned from the game, we are not yet the finished article but we are getting there and we more than any of our rivals, are getting stronger with new men coming in.

This is going to be a tough season, but is is also going to be an enjoyable one, lets not just sit back and enjoy the ride, let's stand up and be proud of our club and team again and as the crowd did against QPR on Saturday, let's make some noise.

Photo: Action Images

saintdave28 added 11:12 - Aug 27 Very good summary
4

SanMarco added 11:15 - Aug 27 Yes - that quote re nonsense sums August up. We haven't been lucky to get the points we have but we could have had far less without late goals and yesterday could easily have been a draw. I hope that if Adams goes he is the final departure (of those players we would like to have stayed) and we can get going in September. I fully agree with comments about this being more fun than the top division. Might be because we already have a third of the points we got all season last year! Looking forward to the big games coming up. The Friday night vs Leicester should be a real occasion!!

8

Block8 added 11:24 - Aug 27 Adam Armstrong has really shone this season and looks far better playing just off a main striker & it showed as he moved a bit deeper after the introduction of Mara. Fraser looked a decent player & can't be anywhere near fit yet ( I admit I didn't want him here) & RM has already stated he is not a replacement for Tella, we'll see. I'll also be glad when the window shuts as I wonder if Charlie's head is elsewhere at the moment & only hope if Adams goes we get a suitable replacement as I'm not sure Mara or Onuachu are the right choice. Still can't complain at the results to date but still concerned how many more will be sold!

7

WestSussexSaint added 11:37 - Aug 27 Overall it was a good to win even though we weren’t at our best performance wise at points in the match. It’s a positive sign that we can pick up wins when we are not yet in a grove so hopefully bodes we’ll for a few weeks time when RM has a settled squad. I agree with the player assessments in the article. Alcaraz in particular seemed out of sorts summed up be getting booked for arguing with the Ref when we had been awarded the free kick! Adam Armstrong seems to be brimming with confidence right now. Last season he doesn’t score a goal like that so he will be critical for us with the uncertainty around Che. I actually think AA was better when Mara came on and he played a bit deeper like he did last week against Plymouth rather than being the out and out striker. Charles was excellent in the wrestling match he had with the QPR striker who targeted him to bully after he dropped back in defence. Hope Stephens injury is not too bad but the Holgate signing is timely in that respect. Downes looked excellent when he came on and Fraser looks like he has a point to prove which can only be good for us. Can’t wait for the window to shut and then we can see what RM can really achieve with the squad.

8

highfield49 added 11:46 - Aug 27 I'm not Jack Stephen's biggest fan but I'm really hoping his injury isn't as bad as it looked. Having also lost Dynel Simeu to injury this week maybe we need to keep ABK in the squad for now. Thankfully Mason Holgate should be slot into the defence next week. I thought Russell Martin made some excellent substitutions and showed the tactical astuteness that we have been missing for a long time. However, I think he will be disappointed that Sekou Mara didn't grasp the opportunity to step up his game. Considering the squad changes and uncertainties Martin and the players have shown already what can be achieved this season. So many strong performances against QPR but Adam Armstrong, Shea Charles and Flynn Downes provided a solid core and Ryan Fraser proved to be another very astute signing. Happy days, and even happier if Che Adams decides to stay with the club or a strong replacement can be found in the coming days.

2

kenchilds70 added 11:58 - Aug 27 One would hope that the Onuachu's, Djenepo's and Lyanco's etc are high on the get away list, and we concentrate on worthwhile replacements. Like most I hope Che stays but thats down to SR convincing players to stay. Sorry to say thats the one unsuccessful thinf that has happened. Overall I think RM is doing a great job making a silk purse.........but not confident of promotion immediately. Could be second time around

0

Bowlercow added 12:01 - Aug 27 First priority for Russ when the window closes is to get a settled side I hope Che chooses to stay but the strikers we are being linked with if he goes look more than adequate Certainly if other incomings are as good as Downes and Fraser I am going to enjoy this season Reportedly we want 30 million for Sulemana which would suggest we want to keep him I expect Adams, KWP andABK to be gone by Friday

2

davidargyll added 12:05 - Aug 27 Great atmosphere, great result and we really couldn’t have asked for more after the first four games. A couple of observations: 1. Why does Sam AA play on the right when he is clearly happier using his left foot? I lost count of the number of times he received a pass but played it backwards off the outside of his left foot - rather than push it forwards on the outside of his right foot. That said he did make one killer cross in H2 with his left foot which was just out of (I think) Adam Armstrong’s reach. 2. I’d love to see the passing stats for Ryan Manning: unreliable is perhaps the most charitable description of his play yesterday. 3. I agree Ryan Fraser and Flynn Downes both look like the real deal. 4. Despite the result, I cannot believe we can progress further, particularly against the likes of Leicester, without a CF, so fingers crossed Che doesn’t get seduced by the Everton call, who really look like they will struggle with or without him.

1

halftimeorange added 12:21 - Aug 27 I don't know if Martin has just been lucky or whether he has got the bulk of the squad on board. To make Stephens captain doesn't enthrall me and playing Manning seems like having one's own man out there rather than for footballing skill. So I do have doubts about the way things are going but, I can't argue that we look more positive inasmuch that free kicks and throw ins and, indeed the whole pace of our game has been upped. I don't envy Martin in how he's had to deal with departures or players heads not being in the right place. He talks the talk but, if we lose Adams, Bella-Kotchap, Alcaraz, Walker-Peters and Sulemana the remaining players don't look a strong enough outfit to achieve automatic promotion. We seem to be chasing a couple of defenders but, we also still need a proper centre-forward, irrespective of whether Che stays. I don't think Mara is that good. A midfield three of Armstrong, Charles and Downes certainly looks convincing. This is a defining week for our season.

4

DellBoyWally added 12:41 - Aug 27 First half, 75% possession, 2 attempts on goal! 2nd half, over 30 minutes without an attempt on goal! Excitement? Really? We have played 3 poor teams and fluked wins. We've played one good team and conceded 4 goals! We only got a point thanks to a very amenable referee and what was an ultra soft penalty in added time! Yes, nice to have the points. But come on. If people really think we're going to gain promotion spending 80% of the game waiting 20 seconds to pass the ball 2 feet and get it back in another 20 seconds and repeat for half-an-hour I think the dreams far exceed the realities. Leeds went to the league leaders, scored 4 goals and won by attacking. Norwich go to Huddersfield, scored 4 goals and won by attacking. Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us! Yesterday we were extremely lucky not to concede more than one; QPR had more attempts on goal than us; and we're the home team!! We started the season at the worst team in the division and fluked a win. They haven't gained a point yet. But have only conceded 2 more goals than ourselves!! "Man City play this way" someone said!! NO, they do not. They play it in defence at speed, looking to break. Spain's Women's World Cup-winning team play it at speed looking for the break. Saints play it turgidly, looking to break the record for the fewest passes in the longest period of play!! "Let's see if we can go a whole half without shooting"!! It's dreadful; it's dross!! The defence just isn't good enough to play this way. A right back who even average players just drift past. A CB who might as well be a a non-playing captain for his total lack of positioning sense. Another CB who I assume was on the pitch but I can't recall seeing him do anything. A left back that gets the total run-around. Basic rule: if you can't defend, get up the other end; keep the opposition away from our defence!! Not Saints. We can't defend; let's see if we can bore the opposition to sleep playing around our own penalty area with players who aren't capable. Damn, they scored. What shall we do? Well, lets play around our own penalty area again for the next 30 minutes. Damn that was close. Well, tippytappy, tippytappy. I don't know about the opposition but I'm sure Badnarek is asleep!! To think I make a 10 hour round trip to watch this!! Please Please Please. Give us some excitement, put on a show, win like a football team! Leeds, Norwich, Ipswich, Leicester must be quivering; not from fear but with laughter. They'll destroy us if we don't start trying to win games properly!! We might fluke a playoff place with a lot of luck when we should be going all out to wipe out the opposition and avoid the gamble.

-1

landsdownsaint added 13:21 - Aug 27 I think we might be seeing this with rose coloured specs
2

IanRC added 13:45 - Aug 27 First half was not very good at all, in fairness not helped by a referee seemingly intent on booking all our players whilst allowing theirs to get away with numerous shirt pulls. Some sympathy for Alcaraz there. Was disappointed with Sam Amo-Ameyaw, was he told not to try and beat his man and turn backwards all the time, he is better than that. Manning is just hopeless and should not be picked for next week. The second half was better particularly after the substitutions. I always used to dislike Ryan Fraser thinking he was a niggly player. I have to say though I was very impressed yesterday, and the partnership with Stuart Armstrong looked very promising, perhaps due to their relationship playing for Scotland. Adam Armstrong too looks completely rejuvenated under Russell Martin. I really do hope, however, that we manage to hang on to Sulamana and Che Adams. We will really need them if we are to gain promotion this year and to be able to consolidate our position in the premiership if successful.

3

landsdownsaint added 13:46 - Aug 27 I’m not a professional manage but I do know Romain Perraud should be on that park
17

JoeEgg added 13:57 - Aug 27 Its strange how Nick thinks this is 'entertaining' and that we are enjoying watching our team again. Dellboywally, IanRC and halftimeorange are sadly much closer to the truth Our squad is agonisingly weak now and Martin's tactics will frankly drive me mad. The best teams in the League will indeed destroy us. At last we have won a League game at home - or fluked a home win nearer to the truth - but this is the Championship - there are many teams even worse off than us.so Nick will be 'entertained' again. I cannot for the life of me how anyone can find the brand of football we are currently serving up as 'entertaining'!! Ah well takes all types.

-1

saintmark1976 added 14:32 - Aug 27 Like DellBoyWally, Ianrc, halftimeorange, and JoeEgg I can’t help but think that there is a danger that we are all getting a little carried away with ourselves after winning a view games early doors. Had it not been for a dubious late penalty against Norwich and the Q P R player with the most bizarre hair missing a sitter late on yesterday, things would look very different indeed. If all or the majority of the players mentioned by halftimeorange were to leave before the end of the current window and Sports Republic don’t replace them with some experienced alternatives we are going to be in a whole heap of trouble in my opinion. It’s not an understatement to say that the next four days will define our entire 23/24 season.

-1

Kingsland34 added 14:34 - Aug 27 You announce every departure as a good piece of business. But it is not good business to erode the squad of its talent and essential players. Neither is it a sustainable route towards promotion as SR purport to be following. You cannot just rely on loan imports however good they maybe. The current policy is flawed and unlikely of success and is going to disillusion the fans again. They are in fact selling the fans - down the river.

0

saintmark1976 added 14:34 - Aug 27 view should have been few.
0

Dunstable_Saint added 15:15 - Aug 27 Enjoyed the game yesterday. Yes we were a little lucky in the end but passing style and possession based football is certainly a better watch than the disaster that was Jones! I remember when we played forest and did not have much of the ball or a shot on target!! We will have to get used to teams playing like QPR, so many players behind the ball and five at the back. They did not even want the ball. Other than a spell directly after half time there only strategy was hit it long.. Special shout out for Adam Armstrong who was immense.. not only his goal but his pressing and chasing back is something to behold… and to Charles who looked so clam in both positions. Also thought downes looked good and composed… The off the field transfer mess definitely does not help. Perhaps an idea for sport republic now you have generated over £150m in transfers and spent just £10m, now is the time to stop putting price tags on our players and say no more sales.. only incoming players from now on! (surely the books are balanced for at least a year!).

3

SaintPaulVW added 17:43 - Aug 27 Prior to actually witnessing it, in my ignorance, I was quite worried about the passing style that Martin champions. However having seen it in action, I'm a convert. There is a lot of passing but the transitions are far quicker than over the last few seasons. Plus controlling the possession at the end of the game is far better than the last few years where we just constantly gifted possession to the other side and, usually unsuccessfully, attempted to close out the game by parking the bus. Not too sure there was much wrong with the performance yesterday. The only thing I didn't like was conceding again so quickly after scoring. We attacked and scored without Che or Tella, New players slotted in seamlessly, matched up to a physical championship side, dominated possession, controlled the clock, showed a bit of bite and made some game changing substitutions. All big positives for so early in the season. Players will come and go and space in squad means opportunities for younger players to take their chance and step up. Positive vibes at the start of a season are good to have. I've missed them. COYR

2

ItchenNorth added 17:52 - Aug 27 Russell Martin is doing a fantastic job steering Saints through this period of transition and picking up solid points. Blimmey, only 2 points dropped yet some still moan ! It's been far from ideal for him or the squad with players leaving and rumours riff. But he's got us playing and with a clear identity already. It might not be some people's preferred style, but it's not going to change and why should he/it ! I find it refreshing that Saints are going to dominate the ball and the games. It's all about making the right decisions when in possession. I've never understood why getting the ball forward quickly is necessarily the best plan. Playing to feet, out from the back means; we have the ball ! Why raise the tempo of the game and make the game end to end, giving the opposite more chance to win balls back and get on the front foot themselves. It's far better that we dictate the play. Yesterday was not brilliant but given what's going on, another 3 points was great. The proof will be when the window shuts and we know our squad, but in Downes and Fraser we got exactly what we needed; experience. And Shea Charles is already looking like the signing of the summer; comfortable in centre mid or centre back.

3

felly1 added 18:35 - Aug 27 Great to finally win a league game at home since the beginning of March. 2 wins on the bounce and unbeaten in 4 games... Loads of goals and goal mouth action both ends.. Top levels skill and howlers both defensively and attack. Loving this VAR free league! Shame about Skipper Stephens getting a bad injury as we'll miss his leadership and it was noticeable they opened us up more when he went off. Still.. One man's misfortune is another's opportunity. Bring on Holgate and hope you take your chance to shine for us along with Fraser. Loving A Armstrong in this league. Not only the goals and assists but his tackling and tracking back mark him out as our best player so far this season. I gave him stick in the Prem and he clearly couldn't cut the mustard as a no 9 in the Prem. The extra 1 second you get at this level makes all the difference. He could become a bit of legend if he keeps this up.

2

schatfield added 19:34 - Aug 27 Saints fans are a miserable bunch. Half the people on this thread should sod off and support City, Utd or some other top 6 team instead of saints cos you will never be happy no matter what the club does. Would never have guessed we played 4, won 3 and drew 1.
7

DPeps added 20:05 - Aug 27 In the four games I reckon we've played a representative cross-section of champ teams: the good, the bad and the ugly. We've not been perfect but we've ended with 7 points. I think RM and his team are doing a great job so far for two reasons: all the upheaval cis not easy to manage, and second the players are buying into the style in spite of all the changes.
4

DellBoyWally added 13:57 - Aug 28 shatfield, don't tell me to sod off. I've supported Saints for 63 years; JoeEgg and others even longer. Since 1975 I've lived in S Wales, Manchester, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire and attended, and still attend, around 85% of ALL games. I currently make a round trip over 530 miles to home games. So if you want to be a clueless, dumb internet troll go join Elon Musk and his ilk but don't dare to judge me with your ignorant posts. You're a sad, dumb, ignorant, typical internet slug

-3

aceofthebase added 13:45 - Aug 29 I have often wondered, for the last 69 years, who was the Wally that always shouted rubbish at any Saints player that made a mistake but now I know. Stay cool and cheer for saints
2

Blogs 31 bloggers

Scunthorpe United Polls