Ugh, I don't know what match some people were watching tonight. If we really do play badly, I can admit it - I was one of the most critical fans after the Brentford match, and the MK Dons was even worse. But tonight, we deserved the win.
First half, I think we shaded it. We looked up for it, inventive and incisive in attack and moved the ball about quickly. Once again, Lady Luck ***** on us though. The first goal was diabolical. Miuldy had BOTH hands on it and has it kicked out of them. By the letter of football law, THAT IS A FOUL. How the both the referee and the linesman, who was parallel to the incident, both agreed that the goal should stand, I don't know. Friend's goal was superb. Southampton's second? An opportunistic shot fro the edge of the area that was going wide takes a bigger deflection than Peter Clarke's shot at Borient a few years back and completely wrong-foots Mildenhall. AAAAAH! Two of the most fortuitous goals you'll see this season. Their third was their only real goal and was, I admit, poor defending.
Second half, we bossed it. I think the opposite to what Lord Football thinks.....I think our midfield bossed it and continued to pass the ball around at pace, but they piled all their men behind the ball as soon as the whistle went for the start of the second half. They were very negative, and any side are difficult to break down when they play like that.
Overall, very disappointing, very frustrating. I feel cheated and feel that we were the better team tonight.
Mildenhall - 7 - Made some good stops tonight, especially the double one in the first half. Not at all to blame for any of the goals, one-on-ones are hard to win and he was off his line quickly to be fair, but Lallana is a good finisher.
Francis - 6.5 - Not bad, got caught cold with his defensive positioning sometimes and didn't get forward as much as usual, but made some good interceptions and tackles and seemed solid.
Sankofa - 6 - Not as impressive as he's been in the last few games. Didn't win enough in the air and seemed a bit clumsy in the tackle.
Barrett - 6.5 - Again, didn't win much in the air but was solid and we even saw one of his length-of-the-field-dribbles!
Friend - 8 - My joint MOM today,defended well, positioning much better, got forward to support the attacks well and scored a brilliant free kick.
Laurent - 6.5 - First half showing was an 8. Got forward well, looked brilliantly clumsy and ran at them, which scared them. Second half went a bit quiet and started to give the ball away.
Grant - 6 - Solid. Sat in front of the defence well and did his job without looking spectacular.
McCormack - 7.5 - Much better from Macca today, ran his socks off, hit some good long range passes, although his short range ones were still a bit wayward. Had a positive impact.
Moussa - 8 - Joint MOM. Good performance. Really starting to remind me of Gower. Excellent close control, cuts inside well, runs down the line with flair and generally looked to create a lot. Got a good pass on him too, found feet more often than not.
Freedman - 6.5 - Good in the first half. Never looks like scoring now as he's dropped deeper because his legs are going, but filled the link man role well, knocked the ball about well. Wasn't the same player in the second half though, got tired and started to get knocked off the ball too easily.
Barnard - 6 - Marked out of the game tonight, they knew he was a danger. Should have done better with his first-half chance. Ran his heart out but had little effect.
Subs:
Sawyer - 7 - Made a difference again. His running with the ball from one side of the pitch to the other is a trait of his, and other teams never know what to do about it. He has a vision which no-one else in the team can even think about matching - his threaded pass through to Sankofa demonstrated that. I still say we look more creative with him in the side.
O'Donovan - 6 - Still doesn't look like scoring. He doesn't bring much to the team IMO.
Jeff - 6 - Didn't really have long enough to make an impact.
