With Hull City being unbeaten like ourselves since January and with the meanest defence in the Championship, it would have been a brave man who predicted a two goal win.

Even after our recent victories on the road, the trip to Hull was daunting, here was a team unbeaten in eleven and amidst the play off pack and looking like ourselves to make a great leap forward, most Saints fans would have taken a draw before kick off, however seemingly that didnt include Nigel Adkins and his players who seemed that having ridden their luck in the last two road trips, it was time to recognise the chance they now had and to put their foot on the gas.

The first goal should have been scored by Rickie Lambert, Danny Fox once again showed why we signed him and that football is about end product rather than surging runs that look good but deliver balls that end up in the stand, usually Fox puts in his crosses from deep, but this time he popped up in the box after 14 minutes and slid a ball across the six yard box, that was too far for the keeper, sadly for Rickie Lambert a defender got their first, but from that close range all he could do was put it in his own net, Saints had control of the game and never really lost it after that with a solid performance, although in true Saints style they not only wasted a couple of other chances themselves but allowed the home side to do likewise, but with the score still 1-0 at the break they were in the driving seat.

In the second half Saints got the decisive second at roughly the same time in the half that they got the first, this time a Cork header back into the box was chested down sublimely by Jose Fonte and he surged forward and then pulled the ball across the box and Hooiveled slid in to slam it home.

Hull City rarely score two goals in a game, from that point there was only going to be one winner, but although Hull rallied in the final knocking to try and drag themselves back in it and Saints needed to be alert at the back, there is a good reason why Hull are the lowest scorers in the promotion race and that is they arent very good at it and Saints stayed calm and held on to make sure that the final minutes would not be frantic.

In the past few months Saints supporters have often seen a bad result not made worse than it could have been when their rivals have also slipped up, this was a night however when Saints didnt slip up and saw the fruits of a victory reap a rich dividend.

Photo: Action Images

stmichael added 11:43 - Mar 21 Yep Danny Fox has improved recently. Probably because he has a quality player breathing down his kneck who Adkins has shown he will use either as a sub or to start if Fox drops his game. For anyone who questioned Hardings new contract recently read the above because it has served as a warning to DF that he has to warrant his place. He has more than done that recently.

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nobby added 12:10 - Mar 21 Scared to say too much in case the mockers are put on it, but just as it seemed that Reading were going to steamroller their way through, in one round of fixtures everything seems to have changed! The Prem is now within touching distance so let hope we finish this season like we did the last. COYR!!
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SaintNick added 12:38 - Mar 21 Yes Fox must be scared stiff in case Harding comes on and adds to his three assists in three seasons ratio,
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redandwhitedee added 12:47 - Mar 21 StMichael.. you clearly didnt go to the Millwall match.. Fox had a shocker.
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SaintNick added 14:46 - Mar 21 Everyone had a shocker at millwall
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TimSaint added 16:43 - Mar 21 Thanks for the Rough Guide to Hull. The Walton Street Social Club was extremely welcoming, offered free parking (despite being opposite the main car park charging a fiver), had cheap beer, snooker, OK food and locals willing to talk football !! All in all, a good trip, a great result and fantastic results elsewhere. We were really lightweight on the right of midfield in the first half and we weren't getting much support at right full back, which resulted in too many crosses coming in from this side. Puncheon doesn't seem to be at the races at the moment, so wonder if he really wants to take his chances ? He improved a little in the 2nd half, even when supporting SRL, but things weren't great and he was subbed, more for tactical reasons I expect, as we changed formations to keep the 2 goal lead. The pitch seemed awful and bobbly due to the egg chasing - Just as Lallana !! Guly continues to get too many boos and negative comments, but strangely last night, the same people who were booing him, cheered and clapped him at certain stages of the game and when he clapping our fans when he was subbed. In the latter stages we were far too defensive for my liking and often SdR was in the right back position looking for an outlet - which strangely enough would usually be himself !! All in all though, a great result at a ground that is difficult to get results at, so just another 8 games to keep the run going and we can all have a great summer and start planning for next term !!

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stmichael added 17:51 - Mar 21 Well Nick I might add that Harding has scored in excess of 3 goals in that period so add that on to your assists. Fox has scored??? I like Fox but defensively (and he is a defender!!) he is very suspect when under pressure. personally I cannot split the pair of them and I dont think NA can either. Fox's price tag gets him the nod most weeks but he is replaced during games by Harding frequently by the manager so he is very much under pressure for his place.

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SaintNick added 18:30 - Mar 21 Fox is a far better defender than harding in that he actually goes to ground and gets in tackles and blocks. I think that Fox starting virtually every game since he arrived and harding having to squeeze in the odd game here and there as sub or at right back suggests that Nigel Adkins knows fimly who is left back is. Look at how the defensive record has improved greatly in the last couple of months So thats three assists and three goals in three seasons not a great total even for a right back, Fox had three asists in one game recently and continues to add to his total as he did last night Dont worry though easy mistake to make about harding, Pompey fans love his defending

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tiptop added 18:43 - Mar 21 Agreed Nic. Fox's crossing ability is clearly better. End of. Not the best defender but his quality creates goals. First goal yesterday is a case in point. Discussions about Sharp will continue. Lee and RL are 1st choice. I think Sharp is back-up for RL. End off. NA got the subs spot on. As it turns out Guly and Fox were both feeling injuries. I wasn't one of the hard core who were there last night and respect to you all! But it sounded as though Guly played well. He has a lot in his locker, can score and create goals. NA's obviously prioritises making opportunities and he knows Guly will make this happen. Look at the goal difference. Puncheon did sound out of touch but his staying on the pitch meant that we could still go 4-5-1.. Saints stepping up tp the mrk when it felt as though they wouldn't. Great night.Next game. COYR's

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saintBob added 22:01 - Mar 21 Nick, you don't like Harding end of argument and nothing will change your mind. You keep on referring to the corner that Harding conceded at Pompey, and so blame him for their goal! What about the first goal we conceded at Millwall? Where was Fox? Many times he goes missing on the left hand side of defence where he's supposed to be and fails to block many crosses. He gets the nod over Harding for his superb assist rate on which we all agree. We can pick faults with many players and also list their attributes. The defensive record is credit to the defence as a whole and particularly Davis & Hooiveldt.

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COYRalex added 22:15 - Mar 21 I agree with saintBob....Fox is currently the better left back....but the assist stat will soon have to stop as Harding can not add to his stats if he isnt playing!!! Fox is never any where near the winger to block crosses but luckily has 2 good centre backs to head crosses away! Harding at Pompey was a mistake but then so was Hammond, Morgan, Lallana etc giving the ball away in midefield on numerous occasions this season leading to goals....does this mean they constantly get reminded of it...no. Any way rant over....Fox is marginally better than Harding but this is an area that may need improving if we reach the prem as Fox is gonna get battered by prem standard wingers. PS Hoilveld is best CB since lundekvam/svensson. COYRs!!!

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bstokesaint added 06:33 - Mar 22 The Harding/Fox debate goes on.. And on. All I know is that despite being what looks like a second choice now, Harding gives everything when he crosses that white line. His career to date can't be judged on that one goal at Pompey, which wasn't entirely his fault. All I know is if, and it's still a fairly big if, we get back to the Premiership then we we will need to strengthen in several positions. This isn't a discredit to the current team, but everyone involved will need to raise their games. Swansea and Norwich have coped so far and they'll be the benchmarks.

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AreYouSure added 06:52 - Mar 22 First of all I'd just like to say hi. I never comment on hear sites as I generally don't want to get into an argument about something that is heavily based on opinions. This time round I couldn't help myself! I don't ever say that I know anything about football as there are other people in the world who understand the game a great deal more tan I do but what I say is "let's just point out the obvious". I can't stand people saying that there isn't much difference between Fox and Harding and more so when they say Harding is actually better?!?!? It's obvious that Fox is a far superior footballer.... He is stronger, more intelligent, has better feet and his delivery is second to none. I like Harding but he does not compare and for those who doubt.... Fox will be perfectly ok in the prem. He may not get back all the time but I think you forget why we score goals. We score frequently from Fox's assists. This is because (as people have mentioned) now and then the oppositions winger is still on HIS position and not tracking fox. If you play a better side, what our full backs do will effectively pin them back as letting that man run through on the overlap is a big no no so then what happens is it is a battle of quality and fitness. Fox IS by a long way the better left back! As for people praysing hooiveld... I love him and I think he has done us wonders but I think you miss the obvious. Fonte is our main centre back. His is the better of the two. Without Jose Fonte, Hooiveld would not perform as well. Fonte does his job very well and is the footballer out of the two. As for guly, I like the guy and he does pop up with a goal or a good bit of play but what I think peopl miss is when he is used as a bit of a target man, it is vital to get the under and and keep possession for long enough to bring other players into the game and sometimes his touch isn't quite there so effectively.... He is not doing his job but at no point does this warrant a boo from anybody. I for one am proud of what the boys are doing for our club and will never boo someone wearing a saints shirt! Oh, and I think StNicks knowledge of football is excellent and although downbeat sometimes, what is the point of glossing over poor performances/play? Yes, we are doing amazingly well and I'm always taking the positives but it's spot on discussing the 'obvious' negatives..... Excellent journalism from StNick. Keep up the good work.

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iwtwms added 07:36 - Mar 22 Excellent journalism!? Not when you single out players for ridicule. Nick, whwnever the subject of Harding comes up, you bite like a pool full of pirhanas. Let me say this; Danny Fox is a Nigel Adkins purchase of around £2m and by rights is the no.1 selection at left back. Dan Harding was a key player for us last year in our promotion from league 1 and justifiably earned himself a place in the League 1 team of 2011. There lay the reasons; Harding does not show the same quality as a Championship player but is a good back up for Fox's position. So why does that give Nick Illinsworth the right to single him out and to ridicule him? Therefore Nick, I am placing you in the same category of those people you have been criticising recently for berating Guly Do Prado. You are a hypocrite and no better. When will you come to realise that other peoples' opinions matter as well as your own and are not to be disregarded because you know better? If it was not for them, then yours would be just a lonely voice?

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geezershoong added 10:23 - Mar 22 Dan Harding. The barracking has to stop.
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CovSaint added 12:30 - Mar 22 I do tend to agree with geezershong and iwtwms on these points to some extent Nick, to the point where it makes 'AreYouSure' look like a 'sockpuppet' you've created...
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bstokesaint added 12:34 - Mar 22 AreYourSure, not convinced about the Fonte being better than Hooiveld this season. The former Celtic man has been excellent and Fonte less so this season. What's more his goals have come at crucial times in big games. I know a centre back isn't judged on his goals, but if he's got them in him then excellent. All I can say is I'm glad we have the pair of them playing together because they form a very solid centre of defence.

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nobby added 13:31 - Mar 22 AreYouSure: Good to hear your comments. I would not question Nick's knowledge of football and neither yours because I would never claim to be more knowledgable than the next man but I tend to agree with bstokesaint with regard to Hooiveld. I think Hooiveld has become better and better to the extent that he has grown more in stature than Fonte! I would like to see a partnership between Hooiveld and Aaron Martin as it seems Fonte does not seem to be such a class player as everyone thought he was. Don't get me wrong as I don't wish to run Fonte down, it is just that he doesn't seem so self assured as he used to. But there's one thing that I would point out about so-called poor performances: We have been in the top two all season long and to say that we have put in poor performances is all relative to those teams around us. We remain in pole position and 5 points clear; enough said!

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nobby added 13:45 - Mar 22 So Nick, your response?
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