Saints cruised to an easy win at League One Reading now managed by former St Mary's manager Ruben Selles, but along with the plus points there were a few issues that need to be ironed out.

Russell Martin put out a mixed side at Reading, you would hope that perhaps most of this starting line up would be still at the club come the close of the transfer window, although it did include Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker Peters & James Ward Prowse.

But aside from those you would think that most would be staying put for the Championship season and notable absences from the squad were Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Sulemana, Tall Paul Onauchu & Lyanco.

The line up was as follows

Saints: Bazunu, Livramento (Bree 71), Bednarek (Ćaleta-Car 46), Stephens (Charles 71), Walker-Peters (Manning 61), Ward-Prowse (Aribo 71), Smallbone (Lavia 71), Alcaraz (Djenepo 71), Tella (Edozie 61), A. Armstrong (Adams 71), Mara (Amo-Ameyaw 42).

It was a great start for Saints who were wearing their new home strip for the first time, Jan Bednarek scoring only two minutes into the game and then James Ward Prowse taking a touch before stabbing the ball home from close range.

It was clear that Russell Martin has been working hard with his squad on his famous passing game, but the home side halved the deficit on 22 minutes and that is how the game stood at half time.

The break saw only one change, Caleta-Car for Bednarek, although Sekou Mara had been replaced by Amo-Ameyaw just before the half time whistle.

It didn't take long for Saints to get going though, only five minutes in and a succession of passes saw the ball find Adam Armstrong who slotted home from just the edge of the box in what had been a fine move.

Now Saints were in control although they did have a scare when Tino Livramento missed the ball completely and left a Reading man clean through on goal, Gavin Bazunu making a great save to keep the two goal lead.

By the 71st minute all of the outfield players had been changed and it was one of the subs who made it 4-1 on 76 minutes, again another fine move saw Sam Edozie get to the byeline and pull back the ball towards Che Adams who dummied to leave Joe Aribo to fire home unmarked from 8 yards.

It could have been more, but unfortunately the last goal was for the home side and in truth we got caught for pace and when the ball was hit at goal it lacked pace, Gavin Bazunu should have saved it, but the lack of power deceived him and it squirmed into the net.

So what can we glean from this game, firstly Bazunu is the number one keeper from the two we have here, under Martin the game is about passing and that means from the back, McCarthy does not have the ball skills and passing talents that Bazunu possesses, Bazunu is almost the playmaker when he gets the ball, he was bringing the ball out of the area at his feet, sometimes 20 yards, if the opposition backed off he kept going, if it tried to press, he played the ball, sometimes short, sometimes long, but he was the key man.

When we got the ball in the midfield we passed and kept passing, but we were constantly looking for an opening, if we found it we played the killer pass, if we didn't we were patient, if we were pressed we either went backwards or hit the corners.

Wingers and overlapping full backs were key as was link up play, Adam Armstrong was key in this, and Russell Martin's game is all about crisp passing, move the ball quickly and often, play little triangles and always look for the killer pass.

Yes this was against Reading, who are not in the best of preparations for the new season, but pre season is about building things.

From this perspective Russell Martin seems to have got his message over quickly and more to the point implemented it, cynics will suggest that we are not good enough to play this type of game, certainly last season in the Premier League that may not have been the case, but this is the Championship, we have a lot of players who are proven at this level who are up to the job.

If there is one thing I took on Russell Martin it was his organisation, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles did not have it last season, perhaps because they were taking over a squad that like the fans were saying who the hell are you !

But that is not the case for Martin, he is coming into a job at a level that he is proven at, he is judged at that level and not the Premier League, he has his squad working to the way he wants it and they seemed happy to do so.

The only problem now is who is going, we sort that out quickly and we can build on this squad with a key signing or two and have a balance of the experienced pros that stay, those that come in and a raft of exciting youngsters who could well play a big part.

Last season is gone, we have to forget it and move on, perhaps the game at Reading showed that we can do so.

Photo: Action Images

Block8 added 09:49 - Jul 23 This is what pre-season is for, the results are of less importance than fitness and organisation. We are still a bit worrying with our play out of defence but hopefully as our understanding of the new system improves, so will our movement and passing. Just need to get the ins & outs done and we can start to find our way! COYR
5

underweststand added 09:57 - Jul 23 yes it was ONLY a friendly, but with so many second half changes, it looked like some hadn't been introduced to each other, and was only the kitman and the coach driver who didn't get game time, but the result was encouraging nevertheless. Stand out showing from Smallbone before HT, and Edozie and Amo-Ameyaw looked quick after the break. Adam A. and Aribo regained some status with well-taken goals, but both Reading goals should have been preventable. We are still a long way from a settled start side with " the window " extending to the end of August but every game will give RM a chance to try different combinations, taking into account the predicted departures and signings that may take place before then.

3

Farlow added 10:37 - Jul 23 If as you say Bazunu,s footwork is so great maybe he should be in midfield cause as a
-1

Farlow added 10:39 - Jul 23 If as you say his footwork is so great maybe he should be in midfield,cause as a Keeper he makes too many errors.
-2

davenbennett added 10:45 - Jul 23 Still worry that have no settled side for 1st game. Then don't expect that team to be same as 1st game after transfer window, Sunderland away. We need around 90 points to go up automatically. Divide 46 games x 5 is 10, and 4 x 9. Aug/Sept we have 10 games. Need around 18 pts per block. So 18/30 by end of Sept. We need to have a good start, and keep it up. Can we do that without a settled squad?

0

Monksway added 12:15 - Jul 23 Seems like a plan is materializing. The squad on show have clearly got an attitude that RM is happy to work with. If appropriate bids come in for TIno, KWP, JWP, Lavia, Alcaraz, Tella, Aribo and Adams I'm sure they will be sold and replaced but hope fully two or three will stay. Those missing are surely out the door. I think having a clear game plan will help with the changing personnel next month and hopefully we'll pick up enough points to keep us in the mix when things start to settle down in September.

1

Peterx added 07:04 - Jul 24 Much better watch than what we were subjected to last season, opposition was probably as about workmanlike as Grimsby last year and we looked a 200% improvement on that day, yes it was a friendly but even so.
1

SaintPaulVW added 09:17 - Jul 24 Reading players really didn't seem to put much into it. Most of the goals would likely have been blocked by committed defenders. However, our new playing style looked good and some of our players really shone. The weak spots were obviously the goals conceded. Hopefully RM has a better idea of what he needs to happen in defence. He changed for action at Swansea last year and their results improved dramatically. Still think we need a focal point striker, Experienced CB and another ball playing GK. We are still going to sell players so may be other additions needed. Good pre-season game

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls