Saints started their programme of pre season friendlies with a behind closed doors game at Staplewood against Fulham, a s expected it was all about the squad all getting a run out rather than winning.

Saints put out a different team in each half against Fulham and controlled the game throughout, but in normal fashion gave away a late equaliser and needed Fraser Forster to pull off a superb save in the final minutes to keep the score at 1-1

The team in the first half was

McCarthy (GK); Walker-Peters, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud; Romeu, Ward-Prowse Walcott, Elyounoussi; Tella, Adams.

A mix and match side that was replaced in the second half by the following with only Salisu staying on the pitch.

Forster (GK); Valery, Bednarek, Salisu (Olufunwa 77’), Djenepo; Diallo, Armstrong; Obafemi, Redmond; Long, Ings .

This was truly a case of giving every one a game and Moussa Djenepo was employed at left back.

The changes brought immediate rewards when Michael Obafemi teed up Shane Long to tap in from close range.

Saints dominated the game and Fulham only had their first real effort on goal in the second half whilst Saints created some good chances at the other end.

One good thing was that Yan Valery seemed to slot back into the side well and he had a shot well saved by the visitors keeper after a decent run.

But on 79 minutes Fulham were back on level terms when Djenepo brought down Anthony Knockaert and Kebano slotted home from the spot.

All in all a good workout for virtually the whole squad with the only players missing being Jannik Vestergaard who is due back this week after an extended holiday after the Euros, Mario Lemina who is said to be in France negotiating a contract with Nice and Will Smallbone who is not quite ready to return after missing most of the year so far with an ACL injury.

Photo: Action Images

wibbersda added 17:49 - Jul 25 Ings absence speeks volumns
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PeterL22 added 22:29 - Jul 26 Didn't Ings play second half? I was more interested in Olufunwa playing with a #4 shirt as everyone seemed to be playing with squad numbers. Any significance?
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