Saints made it 7 games unbeaten in all competitions as they comprehensively beat Burnley to move up to 8th in the table.

Saints took their time to get going this season but are now showing what the squad are capable of and when using the word squad I do not use the term lightly, this was a Saints team decimated by injury, but was able to bring in quality players to replace those out and do the job efficiently and with precision.

The stats perhaps tell the story of the game, 65% possession, 34 shots on goal, perhaps the highest total we have ever had in a game and 14 of them on target.

That perhaps suggests that the man of the match was Burnley keeper Tom Heaton.

The Saints line up was fairly predictable given the injury's although the one surprise was Jordy Clasie in with Hodjberg on the bench.

After 14 minutes Saints injury problems got worse when Matt Targett was helped off with a hamstring injury, the manner in which he was helped from the field suggesting that it will not be a quick heal.

Sam McQueen coming on for his Premier League debut, indeed only his second first team appearance, his first being an 8 minute sub appearance in the FA Cup almost 3 years ago.

But he slotted in nicely and looked the part, very good seeing as he has only been converted into a full back this summer.

The game basically fell into a patter, Saints played their passing game and the visitors retreated into their final third with a combination of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and sometimes just plain bad luck meaning that the game remained goalless at the break.

The second half needed a goal from Saints to spark it, it came shortly after the restart, Tadic hit a deep corner, Van Dijk headed it back across goal and there was Charlie Austin two yards out to scramble it over the line at the second attempt.

You felt that this was now a Saints side that would not give up a goal easily and if there is one thing Puel has instilled, that is a discipline that has been missing in recent years that means we keep our shape and stay confident in what we are doing whatever the situation.

It was soon two, Nathan Redmond fired home a loose ball after a corner emphatically in a goal in many respects similar to his first goal for the club against Watford.

On 66 minutes it was three, this time Charlie Austin did not need to fight Dusan Tadic Tadic for the ball and effectively put the game out of Burnley's reach.

The final 24 minutes promised more goals, but this would be it for Saints, it was a mystery why we didn't get more and more of one why Burnley got a penalty, the referee being the only man who seemed to spot the offence, although the visitors would claim it was justice for one they should have had in the first half.

A lot of talking points on the manner of this victory.

Firstly that Claude Puel has now shaped the side and got it playing in a disciplined manner that involves possession football and hitting hard when the opportunity arises, it is still early days but the Frenchman has shown qualities that have shut up most of his critics back in August.

Secondly the squad now has a good combination of experience, quality, youth and quantity, we were able to be without the services of around a quarter of the outfield squad either out injured or not 100% fit.

Thirdly the central midfield triangle is the heart of the side, even more so than under the previous managers, Oriol Romeu has stepped up to the plate and looks a better all round player than Wanyama in terms of his ability to get the ball and use it as well as mobility.

We have five quality players for the three positions meaning that Puel can mix and match according to the opponents, they protect the back four well and use the ball quickly to Tadic and Redmond to attack swiftly.

The unsung hero yesterday was Jordy Clasie who quietly and efficiently went about his job and used the ball quickly that many supporters missed.

If we can despatch Burnley so well with so many unavailable then it bodes well for the rest of the season.

Photo: Action Images

ThereIn76 added 11:50 - Oct 17 Good to see a couple of goals from corners. There could have been even more in both the first and second halves. We get plenty of corners in each match and with refs being told to punish holding and shirt pulling a team that is effective from corners can get a lot of goals. I thought the movement and the use of the ball was a joy to watch. Agree with you Nick about Romeu, he looks increasingly a class act. I was also impressed by Clasie - was that the first time he's played a full match? Critics will point out that we have been playing poor teams, or at least out-of-form ones, so the test will come when we play Man City and Chelsea. But we can approach those matches with confidence.

2

ThereIn76 added 11:52 - Oct 17 When Targett got injured I wonder whether Franny was tempted to offer to put his boots on 😃
0

legod7 added 11:52 - Oct 17 Hodjberg played the full 90 minutes in both of Denmark's World Cup qualifiers.That is probably why he did not start the game. In contrast Clasie only had a 10 minute substitute appearance for The Netherlands.
3

Sanguin added 12:20 - Oct 17 I thought McQueen looked the part, you could tell he was a little nervous when he first came on and chose to play safe balls. In the second half he really turned it on and showed what he could do, especially after we went a couple of goals up. I hope he can kick on and get more involved in the squad. I fear that a home game against Burnley is a much more forgiving atmosphere than away at the San Siro though, Thursday will be an interesting evening!

4

bstokesaint added 12:46 - Oct 17 In the summer we spent +£25m on two players who didn't even play yesterday. I dreamt of the day we could say that. In all truth it was way too comfortable. Some of our players, such as the ever-improving VVD don't even look like they have to break sweat against lesser teams. He just looks class. Romeu was exceptional yesterday and bossed that midfield, along with Steve Davis and Clasie. Redmond and Tadic both looked a handful for the opposition defence and Austin just did what Austin does. He might waste glorious opportunities running towards goal, but he's deadly in the box. Think Sam McQueen deserves a special mention for so comfortably slotting in to a previously unfamiliar role. Big test coming up. The next three games will really determine how good this side is.

5

schatfield added 13:42 - Oct 17 great game (well, mostly great second half). I do hope that Austin doesn't have chocolate hamstrings though, with him being our main goal threat. McQueen had a great proper debut but that was never a penalty, reminded me of Mane sometimes from last season! If their goalie wasn't on top form we could have scored 8 anyway!
1

arthurfane added 13:54 - Oct 17 Disagree Schatfield - think it was a pen. Okay, he made the most of it (and perhaps a little bit of a delayed reaction) but there was sufficient contact from a mistimed challenge for this to be a pen. Thought we looked great yesterday - we have been creating chances all season, and in this one, despite Heaton being immense, we managed to take three of them. We still can be more clinical, and with JRod and Long yet to start contributing (I firmly believe they will), things are looking very exciting indeed. Fonte was rubbish in his first few games this season but has now rediscovered last season's form. McQueen was great on debut - he showed he's an attacker by trade, by making good runs down the wing. He's a better option than Targett for me, but wasn't tested defensively so will reserve full judgement. Redmond had his best game in a Saints shirt yet - posed them a lot of problems all game and took his goal well. Can't WAIT to have Boufal available. Will he get some game time vs Inter?

4

SaintNick added 15:15 - Oct 17 I think in a game like this McQueen could be a better option at left back than Targett, as Targett is more of a defender and player of channel balls or crosses from deep, whereas McQueen is naturally a winger
5

michaeljoycetf added 18:42 - Oct 17 McQueen played well and never let himself down. He looked great going forward but It must be said that he wasn't asked to do a lot of defending against a poor Burnley side. He will undoubtedly have tougher games in the very near future.
2

BoondockSaint added 19:52 - Oct 17 The game they should have won easily and did-hat's off to the supporter on the Ugly Inside channel that predicted the score!
1

Consigliere added 21:00 - Oct 17 Man of the Match for me was the Burnley goalie and I don's say that lightly! As others have said, we could have had a hatful but for him, but the rest of his team-mates were frankly poor and the real test will come when we meet stronger sides. Nevertheless this was a bright, confident performance with a rotated squad and I see no reason why we should be embarrassed by stronger visitors. Full marks to Romeu who has become the man Wanyama could have been had be been able to control his temper and pass more accurately, with accomplished performances from Davis and others in midfield. My only slight reservations seemed to be about Forster, who looked uncharacteristically nervous yesterday, but perhaps he was just having a bad day at the office?

1

TeamCortese added 04:57 - Oct 18 Great result Sunday! Needless to say it could have been a lot more if it wasn't for Heaton. We're not going to have a much easier fixture for the rest of the season and tbh it felt a bit like the West Ham game except we were slightly less clinical. Claude Puel's style is definitely starting to have more of an influence on the squad and I have to admit at one point it felt like we were playing a bit like Ajax/Barcelona but with more defensive steel. Romeu is definitely starting to fill the void left by Wanyama. I wouldn't say he's completely replaced him because against the better sides he doesn't have the same physical presence that Wanyama has. However, he might have a slightly different way of dealing with the betters side so I hope he can produce decent performances in the upcoming fixtures (Man City and Chelsea). Sam McQueen....ONE OF OUR OWN! Do I need to say anymore...Very exciting prospect :) My only negative for the match was Dusan Tadic. Some of you might be surprised that I'm saying this but I'll tell why...He doesn't shoot early enough and sometimes I feel he doesn't have the ruthless in front of goal required in tighter matches. If he could incorporate that into his game, as well as tracking back defensively, he would be our best attacking player by miles. I want to see him really boss matches and take control. I felt Redmond did more of that than Tadic yesterday and I feel Redmond is more of a finisher than a supplier--not to say Redmond can't provide assists. Tadic has enough talent to play for a Bayern Munich type team but his attitude is his main issue. He needs to show more hunger to score and create goals. Nevertheless I'm grateful he's in a Saints shirt and hopefully the coaching staff will pick up on this because for me it's becoming a bit of an issue. Just so you people know I'm only singling Tadic out because he (along with Redmond and Austin) is the type of player that can really make a difference in those tight matches with finer margins. So inevitably more scrutiny will be placed on those players when things are going good or bad. What Tadic is to us is what Ozil is to Arsenal. What Austin is to us is what Costa is to Chelsea. Similarly what Redmond is to us is what Sterling or De Bruyne are to City. If Tadic missed the chances he missed on Sunday for the above mentioned teams he would get a right rollicking from their respective managers. We have to be as demanding if we want to meet or better our position from last season.

-2

SanMarco added 08:00 - Oct 18 I like Nick's point about McQueen getting forward - it is Targett's weakness. We need that overlap - especially breaking away from home eg first goal vs Wet Spam...
2

SaintBrock added 09:22 - Oct 18 McQueen was through on goal and the defender was behind him. McQueen was impeded physically from behind (shoved in other words), his ankle was nicked and he went down. However you look at it, McQueen was clear on goal 5 or 6 yards out and if the full back hadn't been near him he would have buried it. Conclusion? A clear goal scoring opportunity denied so a stonewall penalty and a red card!

0

SaintBrock added 09:32 - Oct 18 People should not judge Tadic on goals scored, his value is in being a jack-in-the-box, defenders never know where he is and yesterday he was at his mesmerising best popping up everywhere with little give and takes to link up play and cause havoc in their defence. He stretched them all over the place and created all the holes for the more direct players to work in between the lines. For me beyond reproach and always with a smile on his face and willingness to do it for the team. The ticking heart of this team. Forster nervous? Bored more like, it must be a miserable way to spend an afternoon doing your best to concentrate on what's happening on the field but with nothing to do bar the odd clearance upfield and to get soaked at the same time. At least as spectators we get to sit down, enjoy a drink and a chat.

1

SanMarco added 09:58 - Oct 18 Forster might be a bit nervous that VVD has been taking back-pass advice from Yoshi....
0

Blogs 32 bloggers

Leeds United Polls