It wasn't a pretty game to watch and it was scrappy at times, but the important thing was to keep moving forward and our first clean sheet of the season meant that Stuart Armstrong's stunning free kick was enough to take the points.

Saints remained unchanged from the side that beat Leeds on Saturday and although the home side had injury issues, it was never going to be a an easy task to make it two wins in a row as Stoke were full of confidence after a good win of their own at Bristol City.

This was going to be all about the end result, after our bad run of defeats, the performance in many respects was secondary, three points was all that mattered.

Chances in this game were few and far between, Gavin Bazunu apart from one minor hiccup in the first half when his attempted clearance was blocked was solid, but in general his handling and composure was good as was his distribution of the ball and this was the platform on which the side could build on.

Stoke buzzed around, but they were well marshalled by the back four, Taylor Harwood Bellis & Jan Bednarek again continued to build their partnership, indeed either was a candidate for man of the match.

Kyle Walker Peters was again superb, he is a player that can beat a man with ease and he did much of that as he marauded down the right flank, on the left Ryan Manning was digging in and making sure that he did his job.

Russell Martin's system has definitely adapted in the past few weeks, we are not having as much possession percentage wise as we were earlier in the season, but this is because we are getting the ball to the forwards quicker and creating chances.

Stoke had more efforts on goal, but they only had two on target, the second one being deep into injury time in the 2nd half when Gavin Bazunu made a fine save to seal the victory.

We had 4 attempts on target and the best of them was just before half time when Stuart Armstrong stepped up and delivered a free kick that James Ward Prowse would be proud of.

Stoke fans were not happy with the referee, they howled with derision when Stuart Armstrong was brought down on the edge of the box, but TV replays showed that Armstrong's shorts were being tugged by a Stoke player, so the free kick was correct.

The home fans though did have a point though when Jan Bednarek clumsily ran into one of their players in our box, I would have been upset if we had not been awarded one in a similar situation up the other end.

But overall this was a decent performance from Saints, it showed that they can go away from home and win ugly, by getting that elusive clean sheet they showed that the defence is now sorted out and the midfield is now functioning and not giving the ball away and leaving us liable to counter attacks.

This was a team effort, it was hard to pick out an individual who had an outstanding game, but the sum of it's parts meant that we put in a solid performance.

As I said if I had to pick a man of the match it would be from the back four who provided the foundations for the victory.

There may be some who won't be impressed by a scrappy 1-0 win, but it was not the performance that counted in this one it was solely the fact that we won and now have something solid to build on.

Russell Martin seems to have now got the squad he wants, knows the players he trusts and tweaked the system to suit those players, hopefully now we can move forward.

This win means that we will start the weekend only out of the top six on goal difference, that is our first small step, our second on Saturday, will to be in those play off spaces, then we can look upwards on the third step and that is no cut the gap between us and the top two.

There is no reason why this should not happen, we certainly have the squad, we now just need to find that we have the manager in place to do it.

I would say that he has done enough so far this week to show that he could be that man, it is still early days, but in the Championship getting promoted is often about coming up on the rails and building momentum as the season progresses, perhaps last night was not impressive in that it wasn't a 3-0 comprehensive victory, but come the end of the season a scrappy victory on a cold night in Stoke might well not only be seen as a turning point in the season, but the difference between being promoted or not.

Photo: Action Images

HythePeer added 10:24 - Oct 4 It appears that Russel has given up on his crazy ideas and has decided to let the team play football instead.
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Boris1977 added 10:44 - Oct 4 Good article Nick and a win at Stoke, one of the nastiest places to visit, is as you say more important than the performance which was scrappy to say the least. Pleased RM has revisited his approach to the game and is starting with the strongest team available rather than chasing the game with the best players coming from the bench. Fitness is going to be an issue with two games a week and we have got a small pool of talent to rotate but RM will have to navigate through as best as possible. So relieved that RM has adapted as we were in for a frustrating and wasted season if he'd carried on as we were so credit to him and the coaching team for that. As ever brilliant vocal support from our fans - this must help the players when playing in inhospitable grounds far away from home during the week - COYR's.

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JoeEgg added 10:56 - Oct 4 I think Nick's interpretation of our much needed victory is a more accurate reflection on what we actually achieved than Rusell Martins. I agree it was important to win - even to win ugly as he puts it - but I have to say I worry a little about Russell Martin's "we were great" remarks and the way he likes to suck up the applause like a flapping seal! We lost four games in a row and now we have won two - the second against an injury hit side with some very young and inexperienced players. NOW is not the time to reflect on HOW GREAT we are, but to get our heads down and realise that there is still much work to be done. As always the Saints supporters were a credit to the Club. With Rotherham coming up this is our chance to attack like we did in the Leeds first half and see just how many times we can put the ball in the back of the net!

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PezzaSaint added 11:18 - Oct 4 Have said before it is your defence that gets you promoted and so a first clean sheet is to be welcomed. But as JE suggests, don’t get ahead of yourself Mr Martin!
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stmichael added 11:19 - Oct 4 Agree with much of that except Bernard Manning.. Letting Perraud leave was a massive mistake..
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SaintPaulVW added 11:32 - Oct 4 I think Russ is a very positive person, so we had better get used to his post game alternative view from the rest of us. Not going to be a problem with me as long as the points keep flowing. Getting 3 points away and a clean sheet at Stoke in October is 'great', really not fussed arguing on the manner or the principles behind the result. He has clearly changed his style, far less possession and more kicking out of trouble but if he wants to insist he hasn't and he keeps winning I'm not going to bat an eyelid. I want a winning team not to be the first person proved right that the manager wasn't up to it all along. Long season ahead, so COYR.

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A1079 added 12:02 - Oct 4 I did not see any of the game so I cannot comment on it, but it is a good win, the sort of win away from home that is satisfying. It may have been ugly, it may not have been the best football and we may have got away with a decision that was given in our favour (for a change) but I don't mind winning ugly at an ugly place against some of the least likeable supporters. Overall satisfied with the last 2 games. Whether it is a long term improvement or not we will have to wait and see.

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kenchilds70 added 12:28 - Oct 4 Overall a good reult and a reasonable performance against a Pub Team. However In my opiniom Sulemana and Manning looked tired and lacklustre after 30 minutes. Not much RM can do about Manning but Sulemana should have been swaped for Fraser, who would have bolsteed Manning. Sulemana does NOT defend.But satisfield with 3 points and a clean sheet
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landsdownsaint added 13:31 - Oct 4 Spot on article . I thought we were great last night against a team that was very physical , some great performances out there , Bednarek , Smallbone & Downes , S Armstrong . Bazunu distribution is great to watch & KWP is just a wonderful footballer with incredible attitude. For me Adam Armstrong holds us back a little especially 1 on 1 but he has got us goals , RM has definitely listened or realised that his playing style isn’t complete enough to win matches consistently & hats off too him he’s definitely doing things different from a few games back , he’s winning me over . As been said before Manning for Perraud was madness ! I’m sure RM must be regretting that with his new approach

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codge added 13:34 - Oct 4 Never have l seen a team that all they wanted to do was grab an arm also pull a shirt or shorts absolutely infuriating to watch.They need to stamp this out of the game it ruins the run of play.
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Bowlercow added 14:41 - Oct 4 Ever since the days of St Nigel I have looked at the fixture list and divided it into groups of five matches First 5 games 10 points Second 5 games 6 points Looking at the next 5 I am looking to get at least 12 points and move the GD into positive territory
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Farlow added 15:43 - Oct 4 I thought Sulemana was excellent and never stopped,Manning is so inept it would have needed more than Sulemana to help him out.Attack is the best form of defence so for him to come deep would have deprived us of most of our attacking threat.Although it was a scrappy game and Bednarek very lucky not to concede a pen there were definite signs of improvement and we played some proper football at times.

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simmo400 added 16:18 - Oct 4 Well happy with then win of course but still alot of room for improvement. lack of control when infront almost panic at times. Manning dosent look good enough in my opinion. Mara and Aribo really not sure of there part in this team if any.
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davidargyll added 17:44 - Oct 4 I’m not yet a RM convert. But there were three telling things which may suggest the tide is turning: 1. When SA scored the first thing he did was leap into RMs arms. Now has had to be a positive because it suggests the players really have bought into his style and methods. 2. There was much more tracking back when the ball was lost. 3. Clearly we were lucky with the penalty that should have been. But that is one of the joys in us being where we are. But it does make me wonder, given that VAR cost us a dozen points or so, how many it’s NOT cost us this season so far. Three or four maybe? Eat your heart out Jurgen…

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IanRC added 20:40 - Oct 4 Really pi$$es me off that Liverpool are making such a fuss about one wrong VAR decision. What team has not suffered at the hands of VAR ? If they get a replay it will just show how corrupt the PL is with their favourites being given priority. On the game, yes it was ugly but it is 3 points. Thought Sulamana and Alcaraz looked a little frustrated rather than tired. The former in particular is on another level, someone should really have been there to tap in that sublime cross he put over in the first half. So on to Rotherham, COYR

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SaintEPW added 09:51 - Oct 5 Agree with much of the commentary above - good summary Nick - - Big differences in performances over last two games v 1st four games - no doubt. - Manager may sometimes be talking to the players when he comments after a game - not directed at the fans. This is a young inexperienced group from many parts of the world some with language issues. - The players have changed based on what the Manager has been asking of them - his system is not easy - it takes time to work out what Manager is asking for - just as much as it takes time for Manager to work out what players are capable of each doing. The changes early season around transfers and loans etc do impact this learning also. The early wins which were a bit fortunate may also gave some wrong messages to players/manager perhaps on what needed to be done. - Still not seeing qualities of Manning that Manager sees. Do miss Perraud. However, maybe the wage bill budget was a factor ?? - This is a Marathon - Manager seems to have commitment of the players

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