Saturday 10th October 2009

Southampton's win less away run came to an end last night with a 3-1 victory at Southend.
The heavy rain at Root's Hall added a new dimension to playing conditions and Saints took advantage of this on seven minutes when Neal Trotman poked home from close range after the ball had slipped out of the hands of Southend 'keeper Steve Mildenhall.
The home side levelled 20 minutes later from a George Friend free kick, but Saints soon restored their lead through Adam Lallana after Southend had failed to clear a corner. Lallana then gave Saints a two goal cushion just before half time, finishing well after Rickie Lambert flicked on a long Kelvin Davis goal kick.
there were no goals in the second half, but the 1000 plus loud travelling fans won't complain as they saw their side limit the opponent's chances and even create further opportunities to add to the lead.
I was very satisfied with last night's performance. This season Saints have had a tendency to concede late goals, but after conceding a third it never looked like there was any way back for Southend. The front line of Waigo, Lambert and Lallana once again looked lethal and the defensive partnership of Trotman and Jaidi seemed more stable then the Thomas and Perry, who were paired together for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy penalty win against Torquay on Tuesday.
It was great to see Saints win their second league win in a row now and this is the first them I've seen them win away since the 2-1 victory against Reading last November, so all in all it was a very good evening.

Saints player ratings-

Kelvin Davis - 7 - Didn't let the difficult conditions effect him, his long goal kick led to Saint's third goal.

Lloyd James - 7 - Made some good crosses into the box and seems to have established himself as the team's corner taker.

Neal Trotman - 7 - Reacted quickly in the opposition's box to notch his first goal for the club, much improved at closing down after getting a rollocking from his boss on Saturday.

Radhi Jaidi - 7 - Neutralised the majority of Southend's attacking threats.

Dan Harding - 7 - Defended competently and linked up well with Lallana down the left hand side.

Paul Wotton - 7 - Made some good tackles and seems to have improved his passing.

Dean Hammond - 7 - Held the team together in the middle like he usually does.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 7 - Terrible attempt at winning a penalty by diving in the second half, but played his part in Saint'second goal.

Papa Waigo N'Diaye - 8 - Showed more glimpses of his quality and still managed to make some good runs despite the flooded surface.

Adam Lallana - 9 - Deserved his two goals and caused trouble for Southend all night by cutting inside from the left wing.

Rickie Lambert - 8 - Didn't get on the score board, but assisted in two of the goals, he has really improved in fitness since joining.

Subs-

Michali Antonio (on for N'Daiye) - 7 - Unlucky not to win a penalty late on after going on a mazy run before being stopped abruptly in the area.

Chris Perry (on for Wotton) - 6 - Steadied the ship when brought on to ensure no late goals were conceded.

Joseph Mills (on for Schneiderlin) - 6 - Had little time to make any impact.

Saints now have the week off before travelling to Oldham next Saturday, where they will hope to continue their winning run to pull themselves off the bottom of the table.