Saints V Preston The Verdict

A good win at Preston North End for Saints with a run out with a combination of young and old featuring.

Ralph Hasenhuttl put out an experienced but mixed side with both Michael Obafemi and Wesley Hoedt returning to the starting line up after long absences with Will Smallbone also starting.

Danny Ings now a permanent Saints player opened the scoring with a clearance ricocheting off his legs and past the keeper but the scores were soon level.

The lead was restored on the stroke of half time when Ryan Bertrand crossed and it was Ins again who was there to head home.

In the second half Ralph rang a few changes and it was one of those Jake Vokins who scored the 3rd and it turned out the final goal of the match to give Saints a comfortable win.

This time out Ralph started with three central defenders Wesley Hoed being partnered with Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens, with Christophe Klarer coming on for the final 20 minutes.

Again with this being only the second of the pre season games this was more about the manager finding out a few things about his squad than about the result, but having said that it was a satisfying win.

Now the squad splits for a few days with some heading to Macau and the rest to Dublin before the first real retest of pre season against Feyenoord next Sunday.

Pre season is hitting up the squad is beginning to take shape and all we need now is a few outgoing and several in comers.

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