Saints V Swindon The Verdict
Sunday, 27th Feb 2011 10:35

A result that went to the formbook.

Before we get too carried away with this result we have to remember that Swindon have the worst record in League one, anything else than a win was unnacceptable for a team in our position, that might be harsh it might be a tad disrespectful to Swindon but its true.

The first half saw Saints on top from the start although there was the odd break from the visitors that in the main was dealt with well, the goal on 15 minutes from Adam Lallana was well worked and a good finish and put Saints in the driving seat, they really should have increased their lead including hitting the woodwork but the general consensus at half time was that we were in control and with Swidon at some point needing to be a little more adventurous and come at us in search of a goal that would open the game out for us as too many times we have been stunted by sides who are content to get behind the ball and keep us at bay.

But on 54 minutes, Saints did exactly what i have been harping on about for most of the season, firstly they didnt heed the warning signs as Swindon were clearly looking to step up a gear and they put a couple of good crosses in that luckily for us werent touched home, but then came abother gifted goal, Dan harding got caught in no mans land, as the bal broke free he went to try and win it, realised that he wasnt going to make it, but by then it was too late and the gap was there, Ritchie was the man he should have been marking and he had a free run on goal and slotted the ball in low to Davis's left, there are some who say that the keeper should have stopped it, but I didnt have a good angle on that so I will reserve judgement, whatever the blame though, fact is this was another defensive error.

For the next five minutes Swindon had us on the rack, the goal stirred them up and they piled forward, but this was their undoing, lucklily for us they didnt score.

Nigel Adkins for once made changes and again for once they were like for like changes rather than the ones that require a shuffling of personel, after weathering the storm Saints struck back in fine fashion, Harding redeemed himself with a decent free kick that Lambert met with a free header and a minute later it was three when Chamberlain took the ball from a short corner, beat his man and put in a cross that left Jaidi unmarked and the game looked safe.

It should have been four long before it was, only the keeper and some poor finishing keeping the score at 3-1, but in injury time Barnard showed why he should be starting games by latching on to a through ball and from a tight angle slotting it home to complete the result.

Saints are now in a two week period that will define the season, this was the firsst of five games where to be blunt they need to win three and draw two as a minimum, this was a game they had to win and win well and where we shouldnt get too carried away in that Swindon played right into our hands by pouring forward after their equaliser rather than sitting tight, we can only beat what is in front of us and even a cynic like me couldnt have asked for more than three points from this game, but we now have to show that we can win games away and with two on the run this week its there for the taking.

But we have to make sure we dont rest on our laurels, fact is we conceded another error strewn goal, fact is we do dominate sides at St Mary's and then look a different side away from home, fact is we are still rather inconsistent with our substitutions, this was a good win but it wasnt on the face of things a great one, and it will mean nothing unless we gain four points as a minimum on the road this week..

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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hortonsaint added 11:47 - Feb 27

Generally a fair assessment though I'd give credit for the substitions, MS gave us much more control in midfield and Barnard certainly gave more energy and life up front. I've not seen the goals again either and like you I'm in the Kingsland so couldn't be sure but it looked as if Kelvin should have had the near post covered. Harding didn't get tight to the player but I do feel some of his problems come from the lack of support in front of him from AL who played very narrow again yesterday. That's not knocking Adam as he is not a natural wide player in many respects but it is essential for wide midfielders to track back their opposite number to make decision making easier for the full back and avoid the exposure that seemed to happen yesterday for the Swindon goal.

SaintNick added 11:52 - Feb 27 I think the substitutions yesterday were good, but that being the case why didnt he make them on Tuesday or on other countless occasions when he has sat on his hands for far too long
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hortonsaint added 12:03 - Feb 27

Do you think the same subs would have worked on Tuesday? The difference being that Hartlepool were exceptionally well organised and hard working in my opinion and I don't think he wanted to withdraw Chaplow simply because it is likely he will make a late run in the box and possibly score as he nearly did. Saying that I guess Hammond could have been withdrawn for MS as I thought he had a shocker on Tuesday. AC was withdrawn as they played him well and I didn't disagree with the moving of Guly wide to accomodate Barnard. I sometimes feel RL could be withdrawn but there is always the possibility he could do something game changing. I generally don't think we enough obvious options to change the game though, perhaps I'm wrong?

felly1 added 14:32 - Feb 27

Being sat close to the front in the Northam just to the right of the goal I had a decent view of the Swindon goal and although Kelvin on another day may have got a hand to the shot I wouldn't say he was to blame as you would have hedged your bets on Ritchie trying to curl the ball round Davis into the far corner but instead he pulled off a great snap shot low into the opposite corner that perhaps momentarily wrongfooted our keeper.Agree about Harding though, I thought he a great 20 minutes at the start of the game marauding forward and linking up well with the forward play but he gradually began to give away possession and get caught out of position,still think he's a decent player though when you take into context the level we find ourselves at,Dickson is ok but doesnt really offer much more I feel.

splurty added 16:16 - Feb 27

I would also like to add that jaidee was superb yesterday covering fonte when caught out of position a few times and when skinned for pace by the loanee of Swindon .I agree going forward Harding did well but defending away from home is a worry and a fit Dickson is the better option as richardson is also on the right .As said above why is Barney not in the starting line up every game as he works so hard for the team and is a much better foil for sir Ricky ,just swap and mix gully oxo cube and Adam. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride from now until may COYR

DJI added 19:09 - Feb 27

Substitutions helped us to get on top of the game for sure. I agreed with us starting with Guly as when the game opened up more, Barney was the better option to exploit the gaps and run into spaces. In the first half, their midfield sat deep and gave RL and Guly very little room so our only route was to pass through them which, if you remember, was exactly what Guly did to assist Adam for his goal. A similar chance also fell to Chaplow but was just slightly over-hit for him. For me NA got his team selection right yesterday and I think it unfair that fans are forgetting Guly's contribution to our first goal and tracking back deep when we were under pressure. As for Swindon's goal, if I recall correctly, Kelvin lumped the ball long and our defence pushed up to the halfway line. RL should then have been awarded a foul and the Saints players thought so too as they seemed to switch off for a second. It wasn't given as Swindon cleared the ball wide and the rest happened as you know. But to say Harding was caught out of position is a little unfair as our midfield should have been where their goalscorer started from.

rjh added 21:03 - Feb 27 Please can Barnard get a start. What does the bloke have to do?
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bstokesaint added 12:27 - Feb 28

For me Saints lack a little bite upfront when they play Lambert and Guly. Barnard is a proven striker and has an unquestionable work-rate. He will always get chances and often converts them. Between the three of them there are goals there, but I'd like to see more starts for Barnard. He's too good to be a sub every match. I'd also like to see Hammond stake his claim better over Schneiderlin, who in my opinion is the better player. I agree 100% with the theory of never changing a winning team, but I'm not convinced Saturday's team is our best one.

slynch added 13:58 - Feb 28

Many of our attacking players are of similar abilities which vary a little on form and most could start. I think the wingers need to be told to be more aggressive and not be so wary of making mistakes and to run hard at the backs, when they do they panick defences into conceding and fouling. Guly and Lambert are big boys up front and the team shouldn't be over reliant on the passing game and mix that up with some long speculiative passes up front. Variety and aggression needs to released; we are too tentative against weak and average opposition.