I don’t know what to make of that game.
Am I the only person who felt it was like watching a training session, for the vast part?
I expected Southampton to really bring it onto us, but it just felt like watching a game of Villa V Villa, where the opposition, while they had plenty of possession, quite simply offered nothing, with really poor crossing and no threat whatsoever.
I know what you optimists are going to think when I say this ie “the other side are always poor when we get something”.
But the truth is Southampton were poor.
They never really got going at all until the last ten minutes or so, which was about the only time I thought “ah, we’re watching a premier league game, after all”.
What a poor indictment of the game, when the team that are second in the league looked as decidedly average as us.
But then, as is always possible, perhaps I read it wrong and we played really well?
In fairness, Clark and Okore did well for me, as did Hutton, who marshalled Bertrand well.
But I’m hard pushed to say much about the rest of the side, to be honest. I forgot Westwood was playing until about the 20th minute; likewise Weimann until about the 35th.
As for N’Zogbia, the less said, the better. His substitution was entirely correct, regardless of who came on in his place.
I think it’s fair to say anyone else not mentioned was decidedly average at best.
At the end of the day, Gabby scored with our one and only tactic of hitting on the break. He took it as well as I’d expect after some hesitancy on Forster’s part.
And then, as I expected, Southampton stepped it up a bit and got the equaliser.
I’ll leave the analysis to those who do it miles better than me, but the long and short of it is that we got a point, where I never thought it was possible.
You can’t knock that and I’m really happy.
Well, as happy as you can be with a point at home, against a club that ought to be at least a bit below us.
The low light?
Southampton fans singing “who are you?” when they equalised.
The embarrassment of it all.
Crowdwatch: Subdued for much of the game.
Lambertout rating: 3, after us getting a rare point.
