Went to the Saints vs. Milwall game on Saturday, opening game of the League 1 season for Southampton. (Typing League 1 and Southampton in the same sentence is still going to take a bit of getting used to) It was also my first game as a season ticket holder, having fulfilled a lifelong dream in getting my ST a few weeks ago, along with my brother.
I thought the atmosphere at the game was great, everyone was excited about the prospects this season, all 20,100 of us. The minutes applause in memory of Sir Bobby Robson was brilliantly respected by all and it was nice to see Matt Le Tissier get a standing ovation as he took up his position for Sky Sports, given his connections with the failed Pinnacle take over this summer.
The game itself started ok, and as time went on Saints grew in confidence. Morgan Schneiderlin had a couple of efforts from long range which were not far away, nice to see him have a go. Dan Harding looked comfortable at left back, nice to have an actual left back in that position again. And Graham Murty looks like a very clever player, I think he will do a big job for us this season. His awareness seems pretty good and he was very animated while trying to get a ball-boy to throw the ball back quickly, to take advantage of the Milwall keeper being out of position. And seeing him run back to the ball-boy to shake his hand in thanks was a nice touch.
Saints started the second half just as confidently and Matt Paterson did well to beat the offside trap and slot home his goal. I think he’s going to be a player that gets better as the season goes on, but I don’t think he’s quite at the level to be playing every game just yet.
Milwall then won a penalty, which looked harsh from my position in the stands, but Kelvin Davis made a fantastic double save to deny Milwall an equaliser. Kelvin got back to his best last season and it looks to have continued into this, which will be worth a good few points for us over the season. Unfortunately he could do nothing as Milwall headed home the equaliser from the corner that followed the penalty.
Then things started to take a turn for the worse, showing off some of Saints frailties. The confidence level was rocked by the goal and a few mistakes started to creep in. The defence, which had looked so composed and organised all game, began to look shakier. The players were also looking more and more tired as the game went on. Even Alan Pardew admitted after the game that the only reason he made any substitutions was due to fatigue. Hopefully this fitness issue is one that Pardew sorts out over the next month or so.
Saints did manage to hold on and gained their first point of the season, leaving them with only another 9 to go before we get back to that nice number 0! Considering all the upheaval over the summer, the departures of so many players, the quality of opposition and the fact it was opening day (Saints haven’t won the first game of a season in over a decade!) I think 1-1 was a decent score!
One thing that’s been apparent for a while now is that Saints need to strengthen the squad. Pardew started well by bringing in Harding and Murty and Jaidi would bring a lot to the defence if that deal is ever sorted out. But we also have been in desperate need for fire power. The summer has seen McGoldrick, Euell and John all depart and Saganowski and Rasiak have wanted away for a while now. That’s five first team strikers gone and no-one brought in. Until yesterday.
Saints unveiled the signing of Rickie Lambert from fellow League 1 side Bristol Rovers for about £1m on Monday. Lambert was joint top scorer in this league last year with 29, a great total. He also scored a good free kick that knocked us out of the FA cup last year. I think all will be forgiven as soon as he scores his first goal FOR us.
I think this is a great signing, just what the team needs. And if he can help us get out of League 1 then £1m is a snip. From looking at the videos on YouTube he seems to have a lot of ability, some cracking goals on his CV. Maybe he’ll avtually be worthy of wearing the number 7 shirt which has been worn by the likes of Andrei Kanchelskis, Thomas Haijto, Kevin Phillips and Rudi Skacel in recent years… none to any degree of success.
Our first look at Lambert is likely to be tonight, in the Carling Cup against Northampton. Tickets are selling fast for the 19.45 kick off at St. Mary’s, so get moving if you want to go. It should prove to be an interesting game, will be looking to see what kind of reaction Town’s manager Stuart Gray gets on his return to his old club!