A disappointing match that ended in a disappointing result as Saints went out of the League cup with barely a whimper.

This was a game that Saints seemed determined to give away, although they dominated the first half and created a few chances they were poor at the back and Wolves squadered two good opportunities that they really should have done better at.

The first goal was an appalling piece of marking from Jack Stephens who let Danny Batth rise above him unchallenged for a free header that was so soft you wondered why Jeremy Pied on the line didn't clear it, but you sensed it was going to be that sort of night., it wasn't the first gifted chance of the night, only the first punished.

When Wolves sealed it late on, on the break with Saints defence all at sea that just about capped an evening that had few plus points about it.

In fact just about the only good thing you can take from it is that Mauricio Pellegrino will have had a few questions answered about some of his squad members.

He played a system that saw a back three of Stephens on the right, Bednarek in the middle and Yoshida on the left, none of them looked comfortable, Sam McQueen and Jeremy Pied to be blunt are not great full backs, but they are better there than in the wing back role they were employed in, they rarely got any service into Charlie Austin who was often isolated up front.

The central four of Tadic, Boufal Romeu and Ward Prowse huffed and puffed but rarely looked like creating, Boufal looked good for a period in the first half when he got the ball, but too often he looked disinterested .

The system wasn't working as it didn't have the quality of players to implement it, by the time changes were made it was too late Wolves had dug in and the pattern of the game had been set.

This was a disappointing night but it isn't the first time we have gone out in this competition to lower rated opposition and it won't be the last, it is just such a shame that we wont emulate last seasons progress in it.

But to be realistic this starting line up wont look anyting like the one that faces Huddersfield in terms of shape or personel, Mauricio Pellegrino trusted his squad to be able to adapt to a different formation and they let him down, he now knows what certain players can and cannot do and that will be an advantage going forward.

So a big big disappointment but only in the short term, it is perhaps a wake up call for the team that we are weak in certain areas, yous suspect that Mauricio Pellegrino won't make the same mistake again.

Photo: Action Images

patred added 17:00 - Aug 24 they have had plenty of praise if they don't like criticism, simply don't give the paying customer a performance like that again. Respect has to be earned, it's not a right, just because they wear a Saints kit.
4

DPeps added 17:44 - Aug 24 Brownk is right in lots of respects, and it's far too early to write off the team and the manager. We'll know how we're shaping up after 10 games or so. BUT, caveats aside, I don't see much to praise so far this season. We've drawn with a team who will almost certainly be relegation candidates, have struggled to beat an average team who had 10 men for most of the game, and have lost to a Championship reserve team. The recurring theme (from last season too) is lack of creativity in midfield and poor finishing. I don't know if that's caused by the way we play or the personnel. I suspect both. Given that Austin will get injured at some point and Long will only get his usual 5-8 goals a season, I still think a striker is needed, or another midfielder who has goals

5

sidsaint added 20:25 - Aug 24 For nearly 18,000 fans to be treated to that performance is an insult, even at reduced entrance costs. Rotherham gave a weakened Huddersfield a bit of a run round last night, and Huddersfield's win against Newcastle was nothing to write home about. We ought to get something out of Saturday's game. I shall be looking for more commitment from our wing backs. Forster's absence from the England squad comes as no surprise similarly Redmond and JWP, Southgate has been paying attention to the performances of our squad.

1

A_Saint_in_Stoke added 22:09 - Aug 24 I do agree with the majority of views stated and can sympathize with what MP has had to deal with all the crap surrounding VVD getting to know a whole squad of new players - their strengths and weaknesses ... and bedding himself into St Marys. Granted it is only 3 games - and you HAVE to give MP some slack and more time, to show us all what a good manager that he is.BUT as DPeps/Brownk andsidsaint have observed the vibes are worrying 23 shots at goal against a weak Swansea side and only having 2 shots on target --- yes Mr Tadic YOU ARE PAID THOUSANDS OF POUNDS EVERY WEEK to put the ball in the onion bag , and not to shrug your shoulders and say we will have to play better next time .... but more of concern was in the Swans game was MP taking off a striker - with only putting another sticker as a replacement .... bloody hell we are back to last season PLUS we were told/sold that MP was a master tactician - and can read the game - and swap personnel and systems around - while games were in progress .... to gain a winning outcome. Like I have said that we HAVE to all get behind MP ..... and hope for all our sakes that he comes good.

1

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls