Saints started the day on the bottom of the table and in danger of being cast adrift, it would be a roller coaster afternoon, but by 7.30 pm suddenly the season had changed and the fans were starting to believe again.

Before the Saints faithful could make their way to St Mary's for the 5.30pm kick off, they had to keep one eye & ear on the TV & radio soccer programmes for the news from the other grounds.

Within a minute after the 3pm kick offs things were looking bad, Bournemouth had scored at Arsenal, at half time things were not going our way, the Cherries still led, Leeds were holding Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Wolves holding Spurs and the only thing in our favour was Brighton's narrow one goal lead against West Ham.

Relief came around 4.15pm when Chelsea scored, but they got worse 4 minutes later when Bournemouth added a second, things were looking bleak, but then the turning point of the season came, not at St Mary's but at the Emirates when Arsenal scored with 28 minutes to go, when they equalised on 70 minutes it was a relief, but the winner did not materialise and as the game descended into injury time it looked a forlorn hope but suddenly the screen buzzed and new came through of a 97th minute winner for the Gunners, a big moment in Saints season, it meant that we could haul ourselves off the bottom.

So the crowd were a little more positive as they walked to St Mary's, social media had been toxic, but the fans in the stadium were not, they had come to back the team, albeit cautiously and thinking this was perhaps our last stand, but the crowd was with the team.

Ruben Selles might have read the preview on here, his team almost matched the team I suggested, the only difference was Jan Bednarek was still in the team and strangely Tall Paul Onauchu was on the bench and Theo Walcott in, but more of this later.

However the game didn't quite go to plan, Leicester came out of the traps as if their lives depended on it and they passed the ball swiftly and quickly , it looked like this might be a tough day.

But the team did not buckle, they were chasing shadows at times but they kept chasing them and didn't let the Foxes get much of a chance on goal.

By the half hour mark we had steadied the ship and were competing and it almost paid dividends as we were awarded a penalty, James Ward Prowse stepped up and saw his effort saved, was this not going to be our day ?

Three minutes later we had the answer when Charly Alcatraz fired home a superb shot that left Leicester keeper Ward with no chance, the ground erupted and it seems the players had also read the preview when I stated that if the players wanted the crowd with them they had to give them something to cheer.

But it would be a nervy hour or so for the Saints fans, the game would stay to the same pattern, Leicester having a lot of possession and passing it around and us working our socks off to make sure they didn't get a clear chance on goal.

Ruben Selles made the right substitutions to bring on fresh legs and making sure that we kept our work rate at maximum.

It wasn't pretty to watch, I wouldn't say we were playing well, but we were battling harder than Leicester.

One moment that perhaps highlighted the display was by Adam Armstrong, with the visitors trying to play a ball that looked like splitting the defence, Armstrong read it well and made a timely interception that allowed us to break with a counter attack, but as we approached the box he overran the ball and couldn't get a pass away to Mara in a good position.

For some this was a bad moment, but for me it highlighted how our players were working hard, if they were making a mistake it was in the Leicester final third and not our own as it was at Leeds and indeed in countless games before, Armstrong had done the job he had to when it mattered.

As I mentioned it was a nervy end and Leicester scraped the bar with a header, again some would say that Gavin Bazunu came and missed the cross from the corner, but in truth it was a great cross that was fizzing across the box, Bazunu was never going to get it, but he had to make sure that their players didn't get a clear view of the ball and this he did.

The final whistle was a relief, now we can truly say we have a chance of getting out of this, it had been a topsy turvy 4 1/2 hours, but we ended it leaping above Bournemouth and now level pegging with Everton with only a 2 goal difference keeping them above us.

Leeds in that safety spot are only a point ahead and West Ham just two points and Leicester are just 3 points ahead, although Wolves won they and Crystal Palace have only a 6 point gap between them and the bottom 3.

We have dragged ourself up and we have kept the relegation battle to still 9 clubs.

Everton travel to Nottingham Forest this afternoon and this is a game that if Forest win by two goals or more we would jump above the Toffee's on goal difference and with a game in hand to boot.

But I think a draw would be the better result for Saints, it would keep Everton just a point above us and Forest themselves would still be just 5 points ahead, a win for them would see them virtually safe on 28 points.

A good afternoon's work for Southampton Football Club, one that gives us hope we can get out, Ruben Selles learned his lessons from the Leeds & Grimsby games and showed that he still has his players behind him, the FA Cup game was a disappointment, so was the Leeds game especially the Leeds game a draw there would have seen us out of the relegation zone this morning, we are that close.

But no one could argue that 6 points from his first 3 games is not a good return for Ruben Selles, to be sure we perhaps need 18 points from our final 13 games, although I think it may be slightly less, but essentially that is 1.38 points a game or 4 points every 3 games.

Things aren't quite there just yet, but they have taken a big step forward in the last fortnight.

Saints have won as a team, although I am sure some will look to pick holes with certain players who are not "Fan favourites" but things have improved in that we now don't just sit back and watch the opposition benefit from a mistake, we battle to make sure they don't.

I have no problem with people pointing out where a player has made a mistake etc, but what is not good is the vitriol that sometimes accompanies that criticism.

We have conceded just once in the last 3 games and there is no one who would have predicted that low total a few weeks ago.

Lets get behind our manager and team for the remainder of the season, rather than spend our time slagging off individuals.

100% from the manager, players and the fans in the next two months will see us pull clear, if we can still be in touch after the wretched run in the final weeks of Ralph's reign and all but one game of Nathan Jones, now we have changed things our rivals will certainly be worried.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 10:55 - Mar 5 Great three points and I agree that the work-rate was spot on but I am still worried by the lack of quality. I know I will probably get a cascade of thumbs-down for a negative comment after a win but we need to improve in all areas to stay up. The fact we didn't concede wasn't down to us - it was down to Leicester. We are unlikely to play a team who miss so many great chances again this season. The number of totally free headers from crosses was astonishing. The case of Mara and AA coming on is interesting. There is a very good argument for saying that scoring a second is a good tactic in that situation. They were brought on to run around but did anyone think we would get a second? Finally - I wonder whether McCarthy needs to come back in? He's not a great keeper but Bazunu looks very young and very nervous. The great thing is we are still in the race. Brentford will be another must win. Win that and I will really dare to hope!!

10

SaintNick added 11:00 - Mar 5 Some valid points, yes there were a couple of missed chances, but we miss our fair share too and that is why Leicester and us are down in the relegation scrap. I thought Bazunu did ok, he was given a tricky back pass to kick which bobbled and he scuffed but apart from that he did ok in my book. The quality isn't there on the pitch just yet, but as the confidence rises so the quality will come back

10

davidargyll added 11:06 - Mar 5 It was very interesting to note that, as soon as JWP missed his penalty - which was saved brilliantly - Saints seemed to be galvanised and the result paid off. Leicester on the other hand - who let’s face it, if they could head the ball in the direction of the goal, could have been comfortable winners - immediately started to mess up their passes. Ok they got better towards the end but then the whole game was getting like Comedy Capers. All my chums around me were laughing their heads off at the sheer amateurishness of the football; “ it’s giving Saturday morning footie in the park a bad name”, one of us said. 1. And talking of laughter, who doesn’t hoot when Adam Armstrong goes on a run because you know he’ll cock it up… 2. Theo on the other hand, much to the entire world’s surprise, was clearly on something - a great show of old-handedness - so well done him. 3. Whereas Bazunu certainly hadn’t been taking his jungle juice; I can only reckon that he had been saying his prayers for a very long time on Friday night. But then are we surprised? I read in the forum that GB is comfortably the worst GK in the PL and my God didn’t it show; as I said he clearly believes in the power of prayer. 4. Sekou Mara I didn’t think was anything like as poor as others have suggested - even if he does fluff his lines rather too much. 5. AM-N I thought was lucky to get away with a very docile performance; so I’m not too surprised he never cracked it at Arsenal. 6. Lavia though was fantastic in midfield - he gets better by the game. 7. And finally Charlie Alcaraz who I’m sure everyone agrees is wonderful. What a delightful player he is, he runs and tackles and doesn’t give up, AND SCORES!!! And what a big smile he had as he walked to the tunnel at the end of the game. Apparently Saints have scored seven goals since the WC: JWP has got 5 of them, and Charlie the other two: speaks volumes… Finally we must, must, must do our level best to keep the GA number down, especially against the likes of MU, because I for one think that the relegation battle will be decided on GD, and we simply cannot afford to let it slip. Overall though a great battling performance, a great six-pointer - even if luck played a big part, and it sure as hell won’t always be like that. PS. Stats show that the most pens are scored by going straight down the middle. Are you listening Prowsey?

6

Ifonly added 11:08 - Mar 5 Good review, I agree with most of it, but this bit is seriously nuts: " .... Bazunu was never going to get it, but he had to make sure that their players didn't get a clear view of the ball and this he did." Seriously?? Bazunu made a major error that nearly cost us the game. A keeper should NEVER come for a cross and miss it and that's what he did. That wasn't the only time he nearly cost us the game either. He gave the ball straight to one of their strikers who wasted it. I'd still back him over McCarthy because McCarthy is equally error prone and Bazunu can pull of some great saves, but the reality is that he is one of those who aren't ready for the PL yet, particularly not a relegation fight when cool heads are needed. A great day for Saints that gives us hope (it's the hope that kills you). In terms of points, survival is possible, but the truth is that we were lucky to get a win yesterday, it wasn't just the chances that Bazunu gifted, there were lots of others too. We need better performances to survive but at least the team had some fight and maybe Selles can improve them for the run in. I hope so. COYR.

3

JoeEgg added 11:22 - Mar 5 Maybe Nick was taking a toilet break when Alcatraz committed a really nasty tackle and in the eyes of many commentators should have been sent off. What a different result that would have lead to. Watching Bazunu making one nervous pass after another to his defenders who were often closely marked by Leicester players was surely going to lead to one badly misplaced kick that should have been buried by the opposition. Defensively I have always said with the right players selected in the right positions we are not as bad as some would claim. We just dont have the forwards to score goals - they dont even look like scoring - thats the main problem. Mara and AA wouldn't score if they played for many hors. Lets hope we haven't celebrated being off the bottom too soon - lets see who are our next opponents? - well Man Utd away might just be a whole different ball game. Its going to be fascinating struggle for at least seven clubs to avoid relegation. There is a long way to go - but at least the other results went our way this weekend.

1

halftimeorange added 11:45 - Mar 5 Although Alcaraz has a touch of class about him he could well have been in the changing room with a red card against his name before he scored. There were a number of niggling Saints fouls yesterday, particularly on Maddison - JWP, Adam Armstrong and Mara all being guilty and I thought the referee was lenient with us. The positives were the determination not to lose, improved performances from AM-N, Theo and Bednarek and the home crowd. I won't dwell on the negatives but, this league is no longer competitive outside of about eight clubs which means at least twelve sets of fans aren't enjoying their football. Is that why we follow our teams?

4

highfield49 added 11:53 - Mar 5 Leicester without Maddison wouldn't have created much at all, he was probably the best player on the pitch. If he is suspended or injured again they are going to struggle to get results. However, more importantly, we got the vital three points needed whilst Bournemouth suffered a demoralising last minute loss of any points at Arsenal. Small margins and indicative of how much of a scrap the relegation fight is going to be this season. I can't say I was pleased to see the names of Bednarek and Walcott on the team sheet but at times their experience was of benefit and Theo certainly put in a shift and got Maddison booked. The result in some ways justifies bringing on Adam Armstrong and Mara but equally I think one of them at a time is enough. Onuachu and Djenepo might have given Leicester more to contend with defensively. As regards the goalkeeping debate, surely the calming influence of Caballero is better than the nervy McCarthy? I can't recall a game Caballero has played for us when he didn't look comfortable. There's obviously a nervy few weeks ahead with results needing to go our way but at least we've shown under Selles a team spirit and level of all round performance that has been lacking for a long time. As has been said, beat Brentford and we put a lot of pressure on other teams in the bottom half of the table.

7

SaintPaulVW added 11:57 - Mar 5 Yes we looked bad. Yes Leicester were worse. Both teams are in the positions they are in because they both make a lot of mistakes in both defence and attack. The value of this win is both as a confidence booster and in giving us some momentum If we can even survive then it's going to be hard graft between now and the end of the season with many setbacks to come. I'm no fan if Jan Bednarek but he was talking to everyone yesterday. In a team if youngsters we need that. Yes Arma and Mara replaced more effective players but they still ran their socks off, stretched the Leicester defence making their trade mark cock ups. Ralph used to keep the same players on and we used to get loads of injuries. Go figure. Charly showing aggression in midfield is what we need. Yes it was a rash challenge but a red would have been ridiculous. Saints ref over to you! More worrying is his self inflicted injury. Still prefer to see KWP at right back. Salisu back at left back maybe? COYR

6

Boris1977 added 12:49 - Mar 5 One swallow doesn't make a summer and one won game against a very incompetent Leicester team who should have have scored at least 4 goals does not mean this shower of a team have turned a corner. Instead they are having a break on the hard shoulder before next week's potentially embarrassing goal deficit against utd. There are so many culprits for this relegation bound season with sports direct showing arrogance and ignorance with their recruitment policy (and retention one for that regarding Romeu), the ridiculous number of inept players in the team and the ill-considered appointment of Jones to replace poor worn down Ralph. Like one of those 'I remember where I was when Kennedy was shot moments' I remember when I first heard the rumour that Jones was being considered for the job and was convinced there was no way he'd get the job. I underestimated the idiocy of sports direct. Just a thought, if a saints forward had been in the Texas book depository that fateful afternoon American, and indeed world history, would have been very different and Jackie K would not have been widowed.

3

WestSussexSaint added 13:17 - Mar 5 One of those days when the result was more important than the performance. This season we have played better and lost so at this stage of the season points are critical no matter how they are made. I do think we will have to play better if we are going to have a chance of survival but wins breed confidence and the performances can come from that.
8

mattlegod added 13:28 - Mar 5 Regarding the Alcaraz tackle, there was an equally nasty challenge on JWP that critics seem to have forgotten. Hats off to Theo, he is showing the experience that we so much need in the team and seems to have a great understanding with JWP too. I'm hoping Ruben has now learnt that 4-2-2-2 does not work for us, we are much better when we play with width. I'm still not convinced with our defence, as many have said it would have been a much different game if so Leicester didn't fluff so many chances. I still believe Bazunu is a great keeper and certainly the best we have, it's always difficult when you have a weak defence in front of you.

6

ItchenNorth added 13:32 - Mar 5 A real battling performance. Did we ride our luck, yes, but we still created opportunities ourselves and had good midfield drive from Alcaraz and Walcott, with Lavia and JWP, fighting Maddison all game. Theo deserves a mention, because he put a real shift in. His best performance by far since returning. Che, as well needs recognition for his part, as he played the ball to Theo for the pen and ball to Alcaraz for the goal. Bazunu is getting too much blame for situations currently that he has not manufactured himself. He's just an easy target. Yesterday you have to ask, wtf was KWP doing playing a 30/40 yard cross field pass from wide left position, backwards to Bazunu. The ball was curled in and bouncing across Gavin. No keeper needs that to deal with and Bazunu was clearly not happy with KWP for creating that situation, when he could have cleared himself up the by line. You equality have to ask, who allowed the Leicester player a virtual free header at the far post. Bunzunu had no option but to try and get there. Thankfully his effect was enough to put the Leicester player off enough. Finally, the fans were great. Even after the JWP pen miss, you could feel the passion in the stands to will the team on. If we keep the atmosphere up at St Marys, home form could keep us up. COYR

4

mattlegod added 13:38 - Mar 5 Absolutely agree with all you say Itchen North apart from the crowd.. I really do not understand the fans that boo a player coming on, whether you are on top of behind it only serves to play on their confidence and in turn their contribution. Absolutely nuts.
11

Monksway added 13:39 - Mar 5 Agree that the result was all important. Agree that the players worked really hard throughout but nothing from last night suggests we have the quality to avoid the drop. Without Romeu we seem unable to control the midfield or receive and retain the ball under pressure. Any entirely right footed defence makes us unbalanced particularly against attacks down the left. Accommodating Bednarek and AMN instead of Salisu and Perraud causes problems. The luck was with us last night ( probably about time) but I can't believe that our future opponents will be so profligate in front of goal. I thought Che did really well and the Alcarez goal reminded me of how much better Che is when playing with an incisive strike partner. 3 points are 3 points but Selles has his work cut out.

6

saintmark1976 added 13:40 - Mar 5 The whole atmosphere changed after about twenty odd minutes when the crowd in the Itchen South decided that they had had enough of the Saints keeper and defenders messing around with goal kick after goal kick.Fans let the players know in no uncertain terms that they were not happy and this provoked a better reaction from the players which thankfully continued throughout the rest of the match. Hopefully it was a catalyst moment during a thoroughly miserable season so far and will let the players know that us paying fans expect better of them every game until May. We may yet relegated but at least let’s go down fighting. Better teams than Leicester would have buried us yesterday but as the saying goes you can only beat what is in front of you. As for Nick’s comments concerning Bazunu’s last minute cock up,I imagine that he is hopeful that he reads The Ugly and is simply attempting to boost the keepers confidence. Boris1977, your last two paragraphs linking Saints and the assassination of J F K made me smile and lifted the gloom of a cold grey March day — thank you.

4

ItchenNorth added 13:52 - Mar 5 mattlegod I agree. What idiot boo"s a player coming on. It's pathetic and we do not need this in the situation we are in right now (or anytime tbh).
5

Boris1977 added 13:53 - Mar 5 Cheers saintmark. I've giving up crying about our plight so a little chuckle after the many missteps is my response now - if nothing else it keeps me sane. COYRs
2

Farlow added 14:01 - Mar 5 A great three points,Alcaraz was great and a very good hour from Theo.I cant agree that Bednarek was good because if Iheanachou had taken his chances we would have been buried.I hope Alcatraz is not out to long he gives us that bit of midfield creativity.Adam Armstrong is not up to the job and somebody stronger should have been sent on. Geat team effort and hopefully that win and getting off the bottom can give us a lift.

2

kenchilds70 added 14:30 - Mar 5 Whilst the result was what was needed, I fail to see how it was a TEAM performance, when Adam Armstrong and Moi Elyounoussi, contributed nothing to it. What do they show the manager to warrant being considered as a substitute ahead of Stuart Armstrong. I fear I see the carbon copy of Ralphs hapless team selection and poor substitutions. One could argue its the best we have and maybe that's why we look so fragile .

2

Oldbaloney added 15:09 - Mar 5 A great 3 points & while Leicester had their chances they missed them - as Saints have done many times this season. Credit to Bednarek & Walcott, Theo getting stuck in was good to see. The yellow for Charly was right - similar to the foul on Lavia in the Grimsby game. Subs did their job - if only we had deployed some before Wolves equalised! Goal was well taken & Che was played his part in winning the penalty as well so justified his selection even if he won little in the air. AMN had a decent game and provides defensive solidity. Baz looks like a bag of nerves - at least we started to go long from goal kicks. A point at OT will do nicely!

5

felly1 added 16:35 - Mar 5 What a nice feeling it was leaving the stadium yesterday after (slightly fortunately) bagging three precious points. I love it when the crowd get behind the team and hats off to the Northam crew who really got everyone else going. Bazunu is a worry although I have to say his attempt to get something on that cross probably did just enough to put Souttar off from burying the header. I'd still be tempted by Cabellero as hes performed quite well when he's played and looks like he's has a bit of character about him. We need to find more goals and create more opening though. It's been are downfall this season. No wonder the defence gets nervy when they are constantly under pressure due to the lack of threat at the other end of the pitch.

3

Monksway added 17:32 - Mar 5 Not really convinced by Sulimana yet. Not sure what he offers that Edozie doesn't. Not sure what Edozie offers that Tella didn't. Admittedly they can all run fast but struggle to cross the ball make incisive passes or finish. Tella seems to have improved significantly since being on loan at Burnley.
2

SanMarco added 19:02 - Mar 5 Danny Ings was on the grassy knoll though Boris...
2

Colburn added 20:06 - Mar 5 The positives are 6 points in 3 games and only a goal conceded, somehow only 1. The players battled well and seem to want to fight for the manager. I actually thought that Sulemana did OK, was a threat and he's just arrived in the country but agree that Tella should not have been loaned out. The concerns are the mistakes at the back persist, we got lucky yesterday as Leicester should have scored 2 or 3. Bazunu is a worry but still better than McCarthy and Alcaraz will see red before the end of the season and lose us one game, if he hasn't crocked himself, someone needs to have a word. Having said that, we've had many similar or worse challenges than that on our players receive yellows. My other concern is the return of Bednarek and Walcott. I saw Walcott run around a lot but there's never an end product anymore, he wouldn't get in any other PL squad, gave away a couple of silly free kicks too. Bednarek shouldn't be in ahead of Salisu, this is crazy. I don't mind AMN at RB though. We are lacking quality but agree with Nick that this comes with confidence and belief but again, the manager has to pick the right players and yesterday Elyonoussi brought nothing except putting us in trouble with poor first touches and use of the ball. 6 wins looks like a tough prospect but the league is getting harder for everyone and there's enough teams feeling the pressure to give us a chance. We have to improve from yesterday though, those 3 points were somewhat of a gift.

3

IanRC added 20:17 - Mar 5 JoeEgg and HTO, what the commentators failed to point out (surprise, surprise) is that their Maddison hero committed a very similar foul (to the one by Alzaraz) on JWP just before half time. See MUFC came a slight cropper today, lets hope we can rub it in next weekend.
2

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls