Wednesday 19th August 2009

Last night Saints lost their second game in three days, going down 1-0 at Swindon in a very disappointing performance.
Over 3,000 away fans made the short journey, a very good travelling support for a midweek game, but the team couldn't match the fan's passion and enthusiasm.
Swindon scored early in the first half from a corner through Sean Morrison, again no one in a Saints shirt dealt with the aerial threat. Despite having most of the game to equalise, there was no sense of urgency at all. Saints sat back and played as though they were 3-0 up, I lost count the number of times the ball was played back to 'keeper Kelvin Davis when they were better attacking opportunities up the field. Pardew has to take some blame for the defeat, his tactics were negative and he introduced substitutes too late in the game to make an impact.
Fair play to Swindon though, they continued to attack after going 1-0 up and defended well to get the win they deserved.

Saints player ratings-

Kelvin Davis - 7 - SAINTS MAN OF THE MATCH - Kept the score down once again, different season and a different league, but the same old story.

Lloyd James - 5 - Went forward too often, leaving his flank exposed.

Oliver Lanchashire - 4 - Clumsy as always, looked a big liability.

Wayne Thomas - 5 - Disappointing, didn't give the team the assurances that was needed in defence.

Dan Harding - 6 - Saint's best defender, cleared up the mess the others failed to.

Adam Lallana - 6 - Made some good forward runs, but still no end product.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 5 - Was lacking both in attack and defensively.

Paul Wotton - 3 - Had a very bad game, was skinned far too often and hoofed the ball away on the rare occasions he was in possession.

Jacob Mellis - 6 - Looked lively in the first half, subdued in the second half.

Matt Patterson - 5 - Too lightweight, again he was shoved off the ball far too easily.

Rickie Lambert- 6 - Had a few chances, didn't get enough support from midfield.

Pardew brought on the subs too late, so I can't give them a rating.

Brentford at home on Saturday, still on -9 points, the only way is up!