Sunday 25th October 2009

Southampton's great winning run continued yesterday as they beat MK Dons at St Marys, winning 3-1 for the third game in a row.
The hosts were by far the better side in the first half, but the visitor's long ball tactics paid off just before half time when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Jason Puncheon converted to give Dons the lead against the run of play.
Early in the second half Saints manager Alan Pardew made two subs and switched his side's formation to 4-4-2, with David Connelly and Michaeli Antonio coming on for the ineffectual Paul Wotton and Papa Waigo. This appeared to have a huge effect on the outcome of the game and it wasn't long before Saints equalised, Dean Hammond finishing from a Lloyd James cross for his second goal in two games.
This seemed to give the home crowd a massive lift and suddenly the fans were starting to really get behind the time and cheer them on to win the game. They weren't left disappointed, as Rickie Lambert put Saints in the lead on 73 minutes from close range and after some nervy moments David Connolly put the game beyond doubt with virtually the last kick, capitalising on some sloppy MK Dons defending.

Saints player ratings-

Kelvin Davis - 6 - Collected well from crosses, but his kicking wasn't up to standard.

Lloyd James - 7 - Became a threat on the right once Antonio was brought on and played a part in two of the goals.

Radhi Jaidi - 6 - Won nearly everything in the air, but was perhaps lucky not to be sent off in the build up to Don's goal, as he was the last man.

Neal Trotman - 7 - Neutralised the majority of Don's aerial attacks and limited their opportunities on the ground.

Dan Harding - 6 - Not his usual solid and hard working self.

Paul Wotton - 6 - With the opposition playing the ball in the air so much it was difficult for him to get involved.

Dean Hammond - 8 - Took his goal well and got back to defend competently once his team had taken the lead.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 7 - Made some good passes and formed a decent partnership with Hammond once again.

Papa Waigo N'Daiye - 6 - Wasn't having much impact on the game so was rightly subbed quite early.

Adam Lallana - 8 - (MAN OF THE MATCH) Played with such flair and was at the heart of many of Saint's attacking moves.

Rickie Lambert - 7 - Did his job by grabbing a goal, continuing his great form.

Subs-

Michaeli Antonio (on for Papa Waigo) - 8 - Changed the game when brought on, was very lively down the right.

David Connolly (on for Wotton) - 8 - Has only been here a few weeks, but is already playing like he really cares about the club, a true professional.

Joseph Mills (on for Lallana) - 6 - Brought on to steady the ship late on and did exactly that.

All due credit to Alan Pardew for switching tactics when things weren't going right, after a difficult start he's really winning over the supporters now.
Saints are expected to take more than 3,000 fans to London next week as they take on Leyton Orient. The large away support will be hoping for a win which could see their side climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.