Saints were in an even weaker position that I had predicted in the preview, but they rolled up their sleeves and grafted and in the end were good value for the win, although Plymouth fans might argue about that.
The news from the team sheet an hour before the game was not good reading, not only was Will Smallbone injured but so was Carlos Alcaraz, Shea Charles got the expected full debut to replace Smallbone and it was a tweak to our attacking line up with Che Adams coming in up front in replacement for Alcaraz.
On the bench surprisingly Joe Lumley was the sub keeper which suggest that Alex McCarthy's time at the club might be up and a loan move looks likely.
The first half was scrappy, and it was clear that Saints would not be enjoying as much possession as they have in the opening games, this would be a real test of their ability to get down in the dirt and graft when they needed to.
In the main they did so and did it well, Plymouth were up for the battle and their confidence was high after promotion and a good start to the season and they tried to stretch Saints but like previous games we didn't really allow them to test Gavin Bazunu.
Half time arrived with the score at 0-0 and the first half had been encouraging, in that despite the injuries and the fact that we haven't really begun making our expected number of signings, we had stayed focused and kept our shape and looked a team even though we had not imposed ourselves as we had managed to do in the first two games.
The game exploded into life after the break, Sam Edozie who is growing into his role in the side and just needs a goal to boost his confidence and he could be a key player this season, run at Plymouth cut inside and fizzed a shot inches wide of the post.
The warning signs were there and it was Adam Armstrong who turned provider, laying a pass across the edge of the box which left the Plymouth defence watching as Nathan Tella suddenly had a burst of pace and fired home.
The Saints fans behind the goal went wild and were joined by those still in the concourses after half time.
But the celebrations lasted barely a minute a cross was met by Hardie who smashed the ball home leaving Bazunu no chance.
So it was all square again and Saints settled back into grafting for the result, Stuart Armstrong was having a good game in the centre of midfield and formed a good partnership with Shea Charles, who for me was man of the match, he just did everything that was asked of him with confidence and poise.
You felt that Saints were getting on top and Stuart Armstrong saw a great shot from 20 yards thump against the bar, likewise Adam Armstrong had a free kick brilliantly saved , but you sensed that the Scotsman didn't have the legs to last the full 90.
The first change though wasn't Stuart Armstrong, it was Sam Edozie, Russell Martin knew that fresh legs were needed and Amo-Ameyaw came on to provide them, so that the Scotsman Armstrong could squeeze a little more out of the fuel tank.
But with Plymouth making a triple change on 80 minutes and now having brought on all 5 subs, that was not enough and Joe Aribo came on for Stuart Armstrong.
This was the moment the game probably turned, Plymouth had fresh legs but they lost something in shape, whereas we had kept our shape by not making multiple changes and we are clearly a fit squad, as no one seemed to be feeling the pace, Joe Aribo did well, he might have struggled in the Premier League, but the Championship is not so high a standard, he too can be a success this season.
The 90 minutes was up, 9 minutes of injury time was announced and Nathan Tella having been brought down yet again, was finally done and on came Sekou Mara, more fresh legs meant that it was Saints who were going to win the game if anyone did.
Four minutes in came the decisive moment, it should have been delivered by Adam Armstrong who powered in a header but was again thwarted by the keeper who somehow got a hand to it to keep it out, but he could only stop it, he couldn't get it out of danger and there was Che Adams to chest the ball down and fire home from two yards out, behind the bulging net it was bedlam as the away contingent went mad.
Now came the job of getting through the remaining 5 minutes of injury time and indeed whatever was added on for the goal celebrations.
Plymouth suddenly burst into life and went direct, Gavin Bazunu needing to come out and punch under pressure several times in the dying minutes and Adam Armstrong making a superb last ditch sliding tackle to put the ball out for a corner when a goal looked likely.
So yet another late goal to gain us extra points for the third game in a row, but this is not down to luck, it is down to a side that plays for the whole number of minutes of the game and feel they can score in the last minute as much as the first.
Russell Martin has instilled an attitude in the squad that wasn't there last season, this game was always going to be tough, to be honest I would have been happy with a point before the game given we had lost the heart of our midfield, but we have found that those stepping in truly have the heart we need.
This gives Saints supporters hope for the season as it goes on, if we can win games with a depleted squad, when we make the signings we need things will only get better.
The work rate is phenomenal not just with the ball but without it, possession was only 61% but we still had 19 attempts compared to Plymouth's 15, but we had 9 on target whilst the home side only managed the two, some will say that must be poor defending, they will cite a high percentage of goals going in against attempts on target, but I think is shows just how hard we work to prevent the opposition getting a decent chance, they have to really work hard to get a shot on target and we get blocks and tackles in where last season we wouldn't.
No one is pretending that this will be the squad that will see the season through, there will be signings and there may well be a departure or two, but the foundations are there and there are plenty ready to step up to the plate.
Shea Charles is one, I think he is now nailed on in the centre of midfield on this performance, if he keeps it up we won't have a problem, up front Adam Armstrong is not only a threat but he is involved in just about everything, both goals saw him create the situation, I'm not sure if his header for the winner counts as an assist, but it should do, without it there would not have been the chance for Adams.
But his game has more than that, it has work rate and if he was vital going forward he worked hard to defend, sadly he will not get the credit he deserved in some quarters, but I think he will play a key role this season.
So given the upheaval that we have been experiencing 7 points from the first 3 games is a good haul and sitting in the play off spots just 2 points behind the only two teams who have taken maximum points so far.
But we are a squad that will get better, whilst most of our rivals have their squads already in place, we are proving we can win ugly and that is going to stand us in good stead.
The best thing about the day though was the enjoyment, for the first time in a long time and this was echoed by many I spoke to yesterday both before and after the game, they are enjoying going to the game, the smiles were back on the faces, yes the late winner made it all the more satisfying, but the feel good factor is back.
All three games in the Championship have seen great support and long may that continue, something good is building at Southampton FC both on and off the pitch.