Saints came from behind twice to earn a point, there are two ways of looking at this game and personally I think it was a step in the right direction.

When things are not going right for you your luck seems to desert you and that was the case for Saints against Newcastle, they dominated the game but had a cruel slice of bad luck that saw them go a goal behind early in the game.

That saw Fraser Forster left stranded after a blocked shot was lashed in from outside the area leaving the Saints keeper wrong footed and at that moment you feared for a Saints side, low on confidence as well as low on luck.

That seemed to be the case for much of the game, in the match preview I said we needed to play without fear and that just did not seem to be the case, too many times our attacking players were scared to take men on or to try something different and that left us going sideways too many times.

After the break we finally got a goal from open play at St Mary's, it was a superb finish from Manolo Gabbiadini, but not too many gave the credit to Nathan Redmond that he deserved, he put a lovely ball through for the Italian striker whose first touch was perhaps a little heavy and took him wide, however he checked back and fired home from a tight angle, although the keeper should really have done better.

But Saints could not hang on the the lead, all square and with 40 minutes left on the clock they should have kept it tight for a few minutes but went at it like it was injury time and Newcastle got up a head of steam, Forster saved the initial shot, but in truth he either had to hold the ball or get it out of the danger area, he did neither and the rebound was swept home from a tight angle, again the luck just wasn't with us.

But Saints should be given credit for keeping going, the arrival of Sofiane Boufal on 57 minutes changed the game in that Boufal played without fear, he was not scared to try something different and take on his man and that left Newcastle camped in their own half for the rest of the game.

Shane Long ran tirelessly throughout and earned the penalty that drew us level and you hoped that Saints might just pull out a result.

It was not to be the case though and it needed Steven Davis to kick one off the line to keep a deserved point.

The issue though is still one of creating chances, Mauricio Pellegrino started with two strikers albeit not both up front at the same time, but the issues were still the same, we did not create enough, there were plenty of attempts on goal, 12 to be exact, although this was less than previous games, but only 2 on target and the Toon keeper was barely worked.

However as disappointing as this game was in terms of the failure to win and some of the old failings returning, it was a step in the right direction, it keeps us ticking over and the quality is there to start scoring goals we just need the confidence to start playing football and creating chances rather than the fear of failure that is still present.

One thing that really struck me though is the central defensive positions, I really can't work out what Mauricio Pellegrino's thinking is there.

Yoshida did not have a bad game, but to be blunt his passing is not as good as Wesley Hoedt's, this meant that in the final 30 minutes we did not move the ball as smoothly as we should have done and too often this enabled Newcastle to regroup and get men behind the ball, we just couldn't get behind the and catch them on the back foot due to our pedestrian build up.

Virgil Van Dijk again did not play badly, but he did not look the player he was in his first two seasons at the club, he looked half hearted.

Pellegrino seems to be caught between a rock and a hard place, on one hand Yoshida has given the proverbial 110% and does not deserve to be dropped, yet on the other Wesley Hoedt was man of the match against Palace and looked the part against Man United.

In terms of quality Pellegrino should have no problem in knowing who his best pairing is, yet he seems to be baulking at making the big decision and be harsh.

If I was Wesley Hoedt, I would be knocking on the managers door and asking what is going on, Hoedt is the future we paid big money for him, if i was him I would not be happy sitting on the bench whilst a player who has mucked the club around is playing ahead of me, Hoedt had earned his right to play in the team, Van Dijk had not when he was put back in the starting line up.

But this point keeps us in the top ten at least until tonight when Leicester host West Brom who only need a draw to leapfrog above us.

However the fact that we are mid table only highlights how despite a poor start we do have the squad to kick on, if we had beaten Newcastle we would have been in 9th only 2 points off of 5th and if we find our form we can still power up the table.

Photo: Action Images

Consigliere added 09:44 - Oct 16 It is difficult to know what to change really, as the individual contributions were on the whole pretty good (though Romeu was unusually off the pace and Forster was poor) but for me, the key to what was wrong with the first half was demonstrated by the changes made in the second: With Davis on, the midfield started to link up properly and though he is sometimes criticised (unfairly) for being too cautious, there was much less of the passing from side to side that drives us all crazy. Nevertheless there was still too much of it. Newcastle had much less of the ball, but once they did have it, they came at us with pace. That is what is missing from the current team and (since they are all capable of it) I can only assume that this is what they have been told to do. So, it becomes a management issue. The manager told them to go more direct at half time but the message took a long time to get through and should have been given much sooner and much clearer. Verdict: Better, but not good enough.

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GeordieSaint added 10:02 - Oct 16 It is really difficult to see why this team is just not quite clicking. At least the new manager is prepared to make positive substitutions to try and actually score a goal but the toon's second goal was just appalling all round. It is easy to blame Forster and he definitely should be doing better but no one tracked the runner into the box. At least this game felt like entertainment.

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mgprobert added 10:09 - Oct 16 Much as I dislike the idea of the spoilt kid getting his way I'd rather see Hoedt in and playing with 100% conviction than VVD going through the motions just to keep his fitness levels up for January - its probably not good for team unity either. Overall however, its a confidence thing - we don't have it for whatever reason
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LordDZLucan added 10:11 - Oct 16 So the reason that we’re not opening teams up is Maya Yoshida’s passing out from the back. Nick, are you serious? Has somebody put a bet on with you that you can’t find reason to slag him off in every article you write? To put it bluntly you are not objective in your analysis. I wasn’t going to name names in my contribution but I’m now going to have to in order to defend Maya. Why is the opposition able to regroup and get men behind the ball? There is one reason and one reason only and that is Dusan Tadic. He slows down every attack before delivering the oh so predictable cross with his left foot to strikers who are now well marked. We need more pace and invention on that flank; maybe Josh Sims could provide that? If there is a problem in defence it is Virgil van Dijk. On the basis of that performance he is going nowhere in January because Liverpool would be mad to pay the money. His heading out lacked distance, he went missing for the second goal and he looked generally uninterested.

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WanderingSaint added 10:11 - Oct 16 I think you need treatment for your weird infatuation with Yoshi. He’s in the side cos he deserves it, no other reason. We were awful, as we have been all season. Manager will be gone by the end of November without fail, probably October. Alladici to keep us up.
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arthurfane added 10:11 - Oct 16 Boufal and Hoedt simply need to start next game. Boufal's added a creative spark that's been wholly lacking, to the last few games he's played. He offers something different, is working hard, and makes us much stronger when he's on the field. Completely agree with Nick re. Hoedt - the guy has looked a class above when he's played. I'd drop Van Dijk to be honest - Yoshida gives his all, and perhaps it'll send a message to VVD that interest in him will dry up if he doesn't give his all and return to last season's form. I'd like to see Austin given a game too. How on earth is he supposed to impact games given only 10 minutes at the end? He's proven he can score goals - something which Shane hasn't done for a ridiculously long time - so give him a chance to do so. Happy with Gabbiadini returning to goalscoring form. Lemina again looked a class above. Pleased we remembered where the net is, but we really should be beating Newcastle at home. Let's push on and get some wins now Saints!

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saintmark1976 added 10:18 - Oct 16 Firstly I thought Newcastle were a throughly average side who had they come to St Mary's a couple of seasons ago and played like that would have been turned over by four or five goals. The result in us clinging on for a draw just confirms how far we have sunk recently. Nick, Redmond's "lovely ball through" was a hopeful punt up field that Gabby had the skill to control and score from. Redmond's overall contribution before being correctly substituted was negligible. He is completely out of his depth at Premiership level and should never have started along with Tadic who once again was his usual ineffective whinging self. Forster again proved that if he has the slightest time to think about anything he messes up. He may be a decent reaction keeper but the rest of his game is woeful. On a positive note Lemina was again outstanding and at least two goals should ensure Gabby a run in the team or though the way we are managed at present even this is not certain I suspect. Finally, if Leicester win tonight and my reading of the table is correct we will be one point and goal difference above the relegation zone. This after the easiest opening few games anybody could have wished for. Not for nothing have Sky Bet reduced the odds against us being relegated from 33/1 to 18/1 in a fortnight.

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tell101 added 10:24 - Oct 16 The general consensus was that we got rid of Puell for the negative style of playing and loss of confidence. I am beginning to wonder if MP is strong and different enough to change this as fast as we need to. For me we have too many barely average players in our team and I realise its hard to manage large scale change but I would like to see the back of Redmund, Tadic and VVD (for different reasons). The mind numbing "England" malaise style of play has to be broken up. Ultimately we either have to make penetrating passes, which requires movement off the ball and / or we need to be willing and able to take players on and beat them. We are doing neither of these at the moment and prefer to pass the ball from side to side allowing the opposition to get 10 men behind the ball and then are constantly surprised we cant break them down. The definition of madness is doing the same things but expecting a different result. All our players are capable of running and drawing players away to create holes. All of our players are capable of seeing space to run into. We need some strong vision to demand this sort of play. Do it or move on should be the motto. I applaud the Saints management for holding firm on the VVD farce but they need to go further and put some financial muscle behind the manager. I wonder if our less established south coast premier league clubs are more ambitious in their planning on and off the field at the moment. We have some great assets , lets use them better

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mattlegod added 10:43 - Oct 16 I applaud MP for doing as the majority of Dan's wanted by playing two strikers, however I feel Austin would be a better choice than long for his ability to hold the ball up and ultimately takes chances being a more natural sticker. Boufal for Redmond and let's see Hoedt play alongside VvD for one game and see whether there's as n improvement - then we know all permutations of those three.

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helpineedsomebody added 10:43 - Oct 16 ZIG-ZAG FOOTBALL NO FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE WORLD PLAYS THIS WAY BRING BACK ALE HOUSE FOOTBALL AT LEIST THE BALL IS PLAYED FORWARD
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SaintNick added 10:44 - Oct 16 With regard to Yoshida, I have tried to be objective about him, my final comments in the article where not a criticism of him as such, but an apraisal of the situation, as i said Yoshida did not have a bad game, but e is not a passer of the ball and Hoedt is and in the final 30 minutes this cost us time and enabled Newcastle to get behind the ball. Personally i would have liked to have seen us go three at the back in the final 20 minutes and throw on an extra attacking player It was also more of a comment about the selection situation, I d not think anyone would argue that hoedt and van dijk are better players than Yoshida, if Van Dijk had not behaved as he has then he would be partnering Hoedt and no one would be bothered about Yoshida, just as Jack Stephens is now the forgotten man and unlikely to get a place on the bench barring injuries till January. People said i had an issue with Stephens a few weeks ago, far from it I dont have one with Yoshida either, other than neither of them are of the same standard as Fonte, Lovren, Alderweireld, Van Dijk or Hoedt and if we want to stay a top 10 club then we need players of that quality

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SanMarco added 10:46 - Oct 16 Not great but at least we escaped with a point. We certainly have problems: FF looked a liability yesterday and VVD is clearly not up to his former level. But the biggest concern is still how we move forward and create chances. We have too many 'luxury' players - Tadic, Redmond and Boufal should all be fighting for one place in the team and after yesterday I would give Boufal a go. Redmond isn't a 'whipping boy' he just aint good enough and we should never have signed him. Sorry, nothing personal but it is true. I hope and believe that MP is gradually sorting things - the next step is to drop Redmond and probably Forster (if that is possible). Then it is sort out the central defence question (I would bring in Hoedt for VVD on yesterday's showing) and hang on until January. We ought to be beating Newcastle and if Tadic had scored that sitter in the first half we probably would have but he didn't and we were saved by a stupidly conceded penalty...

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helpineedsomebody added 10:58 - Oct 16 THE NEW OWNERS WILL BE GETTING A BIT CONCERN NOW
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steve73 added 11:04 - Oct 16 I don't have the enthusiasm to talk about it, watching was hard enough. We're bang in trouble.
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TeamCortese added 11:09 - Oct 16 Nick, why oh why do you not highlight any negativity to any other player in the side apart from Yoshi? I'm beginning to think there are other reasons now..... That aside, I agree with most people on this forum. However, I'm less forgiving of mistakes made by keepers. Forster needs to be sold. If McCarthy and co can't replace him in his current form they need to be sold as well. I'm not his biggest of fans but you have to commend the way Guardiola handled the Joe Hart situation. Man City have a much better goalkeeper now because of it. For me, Forster has cost us too many points and in general is too immobile. That second goal conceded simply wasn't good enough. Yes the defence was partially to blame (especially VVD's positioning) but Forster should have done a lot better. He's not inspiring confidence and that's fundamental to any goalies game. I also think Tadic, Redmond, VVD and Bertand should be dropped. The players that we need to keep happy and give game time to are: Lemina, Romeu, Gabbiadini, Boufal, Hoedt, Cedric and Long. These players at very least (for now) seem to be up for it. Tadic isn't as effective as he used to be and has too much ego; VVD's head is already in Jan; and Bertrand still thinks there's an outside chance he'll get his last pay day at City. To be fair I feel for Bertrand because he's been very professional for us the last three years and the board haven't sufficiently invested in the squad to keep him around. When is this madness going to stop? Can we for once have a squad of players fully invested in the project? Even, what is the project? Are we trying to get into Europe or get a top ten finish? On the face of it I think the first priority is to avoid relegation because this team hasn't convinced me yet. Hopefully Mr Gao will pump some money next summer and we'll see what happens from there.

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SaintNick added 11:32 - Oct 16 Team Cortese, I didnt actually criticise Yoshida, I said he had a good game, just pointed out that his passing isnt great, the main bit was about why VVD swanned straight back in ahead of Hoedt, but if I dare to even mention the name Yoshida then I get certain people froth at the mouth. I did however criticise Fraser forster for the second goal so is that not putting negativity on to another player ? It is fine to demand that players be dropped, but the big question is who they are replaced with ? Bertrand _- Targett is injured and mcQueen not good enough and no better. Tadic/Redmond - Sims is injured and Boufal before yesterday had not really shown any reason why he should start aead of them. VVD, As I said in my piece Pellegrino seems to be caught in a dilemma, he cant select two between VVD his best player but out of sorts, Yoshida his most committed but worst of the three or Hoedt, the player with the best form of the three

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NYC_Saint added 12:25 - Oct 16 I thought when Tadić and Redmond switched flanks towards the end of the first half they both looked so much more comfortable. When they play opposite the natural sides they continuously check back to get on their stronger foot and slow down the attack allowing the defenders a few extra steps to get into position. I’m not a qualified coach but I don’t understand why we do this. I also think Bertrand links up much better with Tadić than Redmond and often provides our greatest threat when they both maraude down the left flank. What am I missing here? I thought Lemina was again excellent and looked very comfortable when asked to play a bit further forward in the second half. And I agree on the center half comments I can only assume Wes is nursing a knock as I don’t think he features for the Dutch in the international break either.

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saintpp added 12:31 - Oct 16 Have to agree Nick as Hoedt and VVD the best combo they are both better than yoshi who gives it his all but sometimes he isnt good enough.He didnt get across quickly enough to cover for newcastles 2nd goal tho Romue takes a far share of the blame there too. As for VVD i saw him thunder in several times in fully commited tackles,win most of the headers,made a slide tackle in dangerous situation and deflect a cross shot out of danger near the end.Some fans need to get their hate blinkers off. As for fans saying bertrand should dropped thats just ridiculous he is obviously under managers instructions not to get forward. The fact that MP has been leaving Gabbbi on the bench and reluctant to play Boufal likes 3 defensive midfielders wont play two strikers shows we have cautious manager and thats not what the club is all about. Shane Long did next to nothing all game except run around and his control of the ball was shocking. Even the penalty he had toed it away with a bad touch. Redmond had one assist and should have had another had Tadic not headed over yet the boo boys pick on him. Cant say im impressed with Mps tactics and selections so far hope hes a quick learner or it will get worse.

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SNAILOB added 12:33 - Oct 16 As tell101 alluded too, we play to much like England. The slow and ponderous build up play is awful to watch. Perfect example was in the second half when VVD played a 60 yd cross field ball to Tadic - a perfect opportunity to catch Newcastle on the back foot - instead, within 3 passes VVD had the ball again. At that point, any advantage we had was lost as Newcastle had time to re-group and get behind the ball. Nick did pick up on the point of the first goal, that was the first time I could remember an early ball being played into the box, this is the sort of thing we should be doing to teams, not leaving this to the last 15-20minutes like we did against Man Utd & Stoke. We see this time and time again and surely that has to be down to the managers style of play. Unless this changes, then rotating players isn't going to make a lot of difference.

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LordDZLucan added 12:53 - Oct 16 Saintpp, all I can say is that I was at a different match to the one you went to!
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TeamCortese added 13:26 - Oct 16 Nick on the basis of ability Hoedt and VVD are better players but that isn't everything. Yoshida at the very least wants to play for Southampton FC! He wants to make the supporters proud. He knows who fundamentally pay his wages...VVD has completely ruined his reputation not just with Southampton but with the football community by acting so unprofessionally and he knows it. I will admit having re-read your article Yoshi wasn't the only player you criticised. My apologies. My only qualm is he your repeated whipping boy and I'm not the only person in the forum who believes that. I, for one, have no personal allegiance to Yoshi and I am very sure my position on him was very different a few years ago. In fact I'd say my position was very similar to how I see Forster today. The reason it's changed is because he's a better footballer. He knuckled down and took his opportunity to cement a place in the first team. In terms of replacement for the player's I said should be dropped, Tadic could be replaced with Long/Gabbiadini on the wing; Redmond replaced by Boufal. Boufal imo hasn't had a sufficient run of games to really prove his worth to squad, Redmond has. For Bertrand I think McQueen/Targett are good enough and proved it in patches last season. If he doesn't then we at least we know where we need to strengthen. The most important thing Nick is to make it clear to all players that they're not undroppable and the club will find a way to replace them if they don't perform--simple as. These lads are on a lot of money and they need to deliver. At better clubs I know their attitude would be very different because in most cases it's make or break. People at that level don't have the time to appease egos. You're either good or you're out. Anyway hopefully Sims will recover quickly and we push on with the win against WBA.

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ExiledSupporter added 13:48 - Oct 16 Agee with some of your points Nick, but not with a few others, in brief - no pressing allowing Newcastle to play the ball out of defence very comfortably most of the time - precious little movement in the middle of the pitch and not much amongst the two strikers - pick two strikers who are most effective at playing/turning on the shoulders of slower moving defenders, but then we have to play better passes into the channels which we notably didn't do - pace of our game (at least until Boufal came on) was hopelessly sluggish - I rate Redmond, but don't think he should be played on the left as at the start, and have to accept that both he and Tadic seem to be living on past 'glories' and neither have ever shown much inclination to be some thing like ruthless in their finishing - don't think Long is an up front striker especially when we sling over all sorts of mediocre crosses that might have suited a Pelle type player but wastes SL's speed on the turn - Gabbiadini and Boufal are our most talented forwards, both need to play much more regularly and the latter who can be outstanding for us needs encouragement and good advice not 20 mins per match when we are already losing - Lemina has quality and seems to me to be worth pushing further up the field to play the sort of role that we have expected JWP play in the past and rarely seen - David though lacking a little pace has great qualities and experience and makes our play much more joined up, well worth his place beside Romeu, if Lemina is pushed forward. His clearance off the line was invaluable yesterday, it's not unusual to find him in the right place at the right time, remember Palace a couple of weeks back - Forster needs replacing he cannot get down quickly enough to deal with low shots to left or right, he doesn't provide his defenders with confidence that he has control over the six yard box (emerging rarely - one particular example in the second half yesterday was almost disastrous) Is it any surprise that our last three keepers have all been excellent shot stoppers but highly erratic performers in the rest of the penalty area (aside from Forster i'm thinking of Davies and Boruc) Have we got an endemic level of myopia about what makes a good keeper or do we give them misplaced training advice? - Hoedt must start, preferably with a rejuvenated VVD, who has the capacity to be the best in the league; I would give him more time to get into the groove before returning him to the reserves if he cannot show more urgency and defensive leadership or enthusiasm for playing for Saints. - somebody needs to tell me what Pellegrino has brought to the team which Puel was so widely criticised for failing to provide, it's not clear to me? Too soon to make up our minds that MP is no better, but at this stage I'm mystified as to what he has changed for the better eg. I'm not convinced that the players themselves seem particularly motivated by him, time will tell! All in all we have to use our possession vastly more effectively and a big part of that is playing at pace without a loss of accuracy - can we do that, playing so ponderously doesn't seem to allow us to be more accurate going forward, but perhaps it is because it gives the opposition so much time to re-organise their defence. That was patently obvious yesterday

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LordDZLucan added 13:51 - Oct 16 100% echo everything TeamCortese just said. Yoshi was a guaranteed one howler per game man a few seasons ago but he has since cut that out. You can see it really matters to him out there. Same with Shane Long, Oriol Romeu, Steven Davis, Cedric and our new star player Lemina. They are the heartbeat of the club and the players that Pellegrino must build the team around.

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SaintNick added 13:57 - Oct 16 Good points team cortese, Yosjida isnt my whipping boy I try to give reasons as to why I make the comments i do about him, I applaud him for his commitment loyalty and all else, but in my opinion he is not of the quality that we have been used to in the last four seasons that is my only gripe, it isnt his fault just a fact
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landerwal added 14:26 - Oct 16 With regard ft o how well VVD played, this was only his second premiership game of the season so in another couple of games he should be playing as we know he can. If he doesn't put him in midfield to create or up front to score goals and hold the ball up,aka Rickie Lambert/Pelle.. He more than capable of playing in those positions and it is where we are need the changes.

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