This was a game that we would probably have taken a draw in back in August let alone before the game started, a good point and a sign of hope.

For once Mauricio Pellegrino appeared to have picked a side that most Saints supporters would agree with, although the absence of both Yoshida and Shane Long was worrying and the biggest surprise was the inclusion of 17 year old Michael Obafemi on the bench.

Saints started well and deserved their 15 minute lead although it had more than a touch of luck about it a cross being diverted into his own net by a Spurs defender, but the lead would last no more than four minutes and again it was a case of slack defending by Saints.

Harry Kane should not have been allowed a header from such close range and you have to say that if Fraser Forster was the keeper then he would be being slaughtered this morning for all sort of things.

At this moment you feared for Saints as Spurs started to get more possession and push forward, but Saints dug in with all four defenders putting in a shift and the midfield trio of Romeu, Lemina and Hojbjerg standing strong.

Indeed as the game went on it was clear that th confidence was returning to the Saints side and they looked capable of seeing this one through for once, in was going to be a case of could Pellegrino make the right substitutions at the right times !

The first came on 65 minutes and it was not a popular one, Hojbjerg came off and Boufal came on, a brave change and one aimed at winning the game and from this viewpoint the manager should be applauded, certainly Boufal would offer more going forward.

The second on 8o minutes was again expected and although it was Lemina who went off, Steven Davis came on and used his experience to keep the side going and see the game out.

The third though was right out of the left field, Manolo Gabbiadini had run his socks off and it needed fresh legs up front, but most thougt it would be Nathan Redmond who would provide them, but instead it was Michael Obafemi, a 17 year old from the U18 side, whose only other game as note was as a 65th minute substitute in a Checkatrade Trophy game at Northampton, Saints were 3-0 up at the time and ended up drawing 3-3, not the result that would inspire confidence in the supporters, not that there were more than a handful who probably knew who he was.

In fairness Obafemi ran around a lot, but it was clear that he was a little out of his depth and it was a gamble that did not pay off especially when he had a great chance to win the game but scuffed his shot, his time will come, but it was not yesterday.

Mind you for once Mauricio Pellegrino did something different so that should be applauded.

All in all though this was a performance that showed that Saints have the team to stay up, it was never going to be a case of instant improvement in confidence, but now we have had two tough games and come through unbeaten, it will have hopefully given us the confidence to pull out of trouble, we have the players to do so, add at least a couple more and we can win a few games and zoom up the table.

The good news is that the players appeared to play for the manager, I don't think it is a complete case of them not playing for him to start with, I think that they like him, but the issue is he is not giving them the leadership that they need, even last week at Watford he was not making the right substitutions at the right tim, as against Arsenal there was no bringing a sub on to break up the game in the final minute and stop the opposition momentum, it was done too late, but the hope is that he will learn and the players respond.

The Brighton game is now a big one, it needs a full house of Saints fans all behind their team, as they were yesterday, the atmosphere was not great in the first half, but as the game went on the fans saw that the team could see it through and got behind them and that is another plus point.

Hard to pick a man of the match, it was a team performance with players working together as a unit, Hoedt and Stephens worked well for most of the game and the midfield central trio were also outstanding both individually and as a unit, this was a tough game with so many out injured, but we came through and took a big step if not in League positions, but in confidence.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 10:05 - Jan 23 The Kat was back but no Gao. A sudden fit of Conscience or realisation that she still has a 20% stake at risk and wants some of the VVD money?
1

TimSaint added 12:33 - Jan 23 Perhaps going into the bottom 3 was a wake up call for the management and playing staff, as we certainly seemed far more motivated and determined than in recent weeks. Much better all round apart from the obligatory defensive lapse !! Would have preferred to have seen Lemina rather than Hojbjerg as the furthest forward midfielder. With Long suffering from flu, Gab should have grasped his chance, but fluffed his best chance and didn't get enough power in his other shots of note. Biggest difference for me, compared to Boxing Day, was having Cedric back. He offered a fair bit going forward, but more importantly had Son in his pocket all game - whereas Stephens gave him the freedom of Wembley and we paid the price. Both teams probably felt they they could or should have won it, but a draw was about right and could end up being a priceless point for us. Good atmosphere - everyone expected the worst, but saw the conviction from the players and responded accordingly. It does still bug me though, that the club give away fans so many (Virgin subsidised) tickets - more than even we were allocated at Wembley - a stadium with 3 x the capacity of St Marys.

1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Sheffield Wednesday Polls