x

Saints V Derby County The Verdict

The theme of this FA Cup 3rd round tie has been the word "Overturned" two 2-0 leads and a Derby County goal disallowed by VAR.

The 14,651 who turned out for this game witnessed a Saints performance that after 70 minutes looked to be a near perfect one although just before half time it took VAR to spot an offside in a Derby goal that although was correct was a matter of inches.

Saints had been in control before the break missing several good chances, but after they took command with Elyounoussi who seemed to be the whipping boy on the night and on social media since taking the ball from the right which he chipped perfectly for Shane Long to head home, only he didn;t with a defender managing to scramble it off the line but Stuart Armstrong headed home the clearance from close range.

A coupe of minutes later it was two with Nathan Redmond again showing he can take games by the scruff of the net.

So with 20 minutes left it was cruise control for Saints with the game looking in their pockets, with 14 minutes left it was much the same with a third looking likely but then came the usual problem of defending.

A free kick went right across the goal with no our defence rushing out and leaving Derby offside but the ball went straight across the goal into the far corner, but that wasn't the worst, on 82 minutes another cross and Ramsey and Stephens were ball watching to allow Waghorn a complete free header from six yards out, a complete feeling of deja vu here, how many times have we seen that happen in the last two years.

In truth at times Saints held on in the final minutes and in extra time, but they also had some good chances to win the game, they didn't and penalties saw us out of the FA Cup after spurning a two goal lead against Derby not once but twice.

Elyounoussi was the whipping boy, but truthfully he wasn't the worst player on the pitch and in the second half looked quite lively including that inch perfect cross for Long to have the header that led to us opening the scoring, he wasn't great but he at least contributed something positive.

This defeat will tell Hasenhuttl a few things, firstly that some of the youngsters are not ready for the first team yet, Tyreke Johnson had some good moments, but mainly he looked rash and uncomfortable and was taken off at half time after a booking could easily have seen a second yellow leading to his dismissal.

Ramsey didn't look like he knew where he should be at any given time playing as a third defender, but in mitigation Stephens and Vestergaard were not helping him as they seemed to be unaware of the need to mark people in our penalty box or to tell him where he should be.

Sam Gallagher tried hard but too often he ran into corners and lost the ball, he missed several headers that he should have won and I won't go there with the overhead kick, however he was not alone and I do not think I have ever attended a professional football match where so many of our players mistimed headers jumping for them and completely missing what should be simple tasks for players of this standard.

There were plus points though, Ward Prowse, Romeu and Armstrong dominated the centre, Shane Long again worked tirelessly and was involved in the opener and Nathan Redmond looks a class act that could get a recall to the England squad if he keeps this up.

But it was the same old story of our central defenders, no matter who they are being unable to organise keep their concentration and quite bluntly mark players that cost us dearly.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl truly thinks that a defensive partnership completely within the club at the moment is viable going forward then I would be very surprised, I have nothing against Jack Stephens or Vestergaard but again they failed to do the basics, for much of the game they looked OK, but i'm sorry I'm sick of deja vu again and again where one of our defenders is left floundering and watching the man he should have been marking score a completely unchallenged goal from close range, if it stopped happening then I wouldn't be able to keep bringing it up like a broken record.

It was a disappointing night, but not the first we have ever had and it won't be the last, we now need to learn from last night and learn fast.

What to read next:

Return Dates Set For Injured Southampton Duo Ramsdale And Bednarek
If you thought that things couldn't get worse for Russell Martin after the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then think again, injuries to two key players in the past fortnight have added to his woes.
Do Southampton Need To Recall Bella-Kotchap For Liverpool Clash
With Jan Bednarek seemingly set to miss his first Premier League game of the season, Saints are struggling for central defenders to take on the League leaders Liverpool at St Mary's, is it time to bring in a player out of the cold.
Does Shea Charles Prove That Russell Martin's Player Judgement is Flawed
There has been a lot of words typed on the internet about Russell Martin and his tactics, but is this just the reason as to why we are doing badly in the Premier League, last season there was a clear evidence that his player selection is not what it should be.
Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton
If the next few weeks were going to be tough with the potential absence of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, then they are now getting much worse with the news that a central defender has been injured in International duty over the weekend.
England England's Number 16
It was a dream England debut for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in front of his future Father in law ex Manchester United & Republic of Ireland legend Roy Keane, not only scoring but also nearly getting an assist.
Nick's Saints Saints Away Travel Lay On 6th Coach For Brighton
Brighton away was the first fixture Southampton fans looked for when they came out back in June so there was great disappointment when the game was switched to a Friday night as it means it's virtually impossible to get back on the train.
Saints Not Afraid Of Sacking Russell Martin Even If They Have To Pay
Recent reports have suggested that Southampton have not dispensed with the services of Russell Martin due to the alleged £12 million compensation cost. However it is now suggested that this is not the case and that if they do lose faith they are willing to pay the price.
Southampton Settle Russell Martin Compensation With Swansea City
Its dragged on a bit, but Saints have finally sorted out the compensation package with the Swans for Russell Martin's switch from South Wales to the South Coast, although the details of the settlement are rather vague.
Goalkeeper To Have Surgery As Saints Season Gets Even Worse
One of the highlights, if you can say their were any, of the last few months, was the arrival from Arsenal of Aaron Ramsdale, but now comes some terrible news, that he has injured a finger.
Sources Say Southampton Have Made Decision About Russell Martin
The last two days have been ones of frustration for fans of Southampton Football Club, after a toothless display at Wolverhampton Wanderers, many were convinced that this would surely be the end of the line for the Saints manager.