Whilst a point was ultimately not what we would have expected, the real plus was the fact that we kept a clean sheet for the first time in ages in the Premier League.

Prior to this game it had been 9 games ago that we last kept a clean sheet in the Premier League, that being the 2-0 win over Hull City back in early April.

Since then we have failed to stop the opposition scoring and in both the tail end of last season and the first games of this, we have made a habit of conceding sloppy goals.

So the first aim of this game was to keep a clean sheet, cut out the errors and lapses of concentration and build on that, this we did and not only did we keep that blank scoresheet but we did not allow Watford one shot on target, a hark back to a great defensive record of the first 3/4 of last term.

But having done that we needed to impose or selves on the game a little more and although we did have more shots on goal than the home side and indeed 5 of them on target, we did not work the home goalkeeper enough and rarely looked like scoring.

But there were still plenty of plus points to be taken from the game including that blank sheet, yes we are still not quite right and we are not creating enough, but the return of Ryan Bertrand will add pace and a great attacking option whilst this could have been a game that suited Jordy Clasie, whilst Wanyama & Oriol Romeu were strong in winning the ball in the midfield, neither can be described as creative and we did not move the ball around as much as we need to.

Add to that a new central defender this week and we should be ready to fire on all cylinders, the difference between our start this year and last is that back then we had a fit team raring to go, we have started this one with injuries to key players and with a squad the size of Saints that can be tough.

Another thing Saints fans need to remember is that although they may be disappointed that we could not beat one of the promoted teams, apart from the fact that Watford are unbeaten, last season we struggled away to the promoted sides, we lost 1-0 at Burnley and 2-0 at Leicester City, our only result and indeed goal coming in the 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers and that was a last minute injury time winner.

So although three points would have been nice I will take one knowing that we have taken a step forward in confidence by keeping that clean sheet and that we travel to Denmark with that knowledge and that can only be a positive thing.

I say this every year but it is a marathon not a sprint, there is long way to go but there is nothing much wrong with Saints that the arrival of Virgil Van Dyke and a couple of wins this week cant put right.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 09:46 - Aug 24 I want to believe all of the above and I accept the minor positives listed but, at risk of being called a bedwetter or whatever the current term is, I thought we were dreadful. We have lost all cohesion and ability to turn defence quickly and smoothly into attack. Yes Clasie and Bertrand and a new centre-half will surely improve things but I am feeling disillusioned. I don't blame the club for all the off-field nonsense - that is the fault of players/agents/transfer window/football in general + dare I say Sky who seem to feed rumours to their own transfer window production number; but I do feel we have not strengthened as much as we could have done given the resources we have had coming in. I don't mean so-called 'marquee' signings but just better players than we seem to have got. I hope I am wrong, and I usually am and surely "things can only get better" or is "rainy days and mondays" a better song for today...

6

SirEglamore added 10:03 - Aug 24 Charlie Austen is still available and boy do we need a goalscorer.
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SaintGeorge added 10:06 - Aug 24 Any team's results across a season, even the worst, will have a scattering of clean sheets from simple statistical distribution. Keeping a clean sheet against Watford can't be counted as hopeful in any way - it certainly doesn't predict our next defensive performance. I think there was one moment of neat passing (which obviously came to nothing) in yesterday's game, involving Pelle, Long, Jayrod maybe and Cedric, about half way through the second half. We got an all-too-brief reminder of that free flowing mutual understanding the team had under Pochettino. It just served to remind you how long it is since we've seen anything like it - our massively, hugely, undeniably improved squad simply isn't playing as well as our old, slightly crappy mostly English players did. We are in the relegation zone. Yeah, it's early days, but 17 other teams are *not* in the relegation zone. What is Koeman going to do about it?

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mgprobert added 10:07 - Aug 24 good balanced verdict, as is usually the case - I'd go along with all of that
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NewburySaint added 10:25 - Aug 24 Terrible game, Saints were bad, Watford were even worse, and to cap it off the ref was even worse than all of the previous 3 points! There were some positives to come out of it though for me in that we didn't lose, we kept a clean sheet and I thought Fonte was immense and I would even go as far as saying that was his best performance in a Saints shirt-a 10 out of 10 for me.

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schatfield added 10:35 - Aug 24 awful, awful game! Sorry, aside from clean sheet, I didnt see many positives. Why did we set out with such a defensive formation for Watford!? We lacked in any creativity, and never looked like scoring. I feel sorry for the away fans that went to watch that turgid poo that was served up. Wonder how we will now set out against Norwich at home..
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Zambucco added 10:38 - Aug 24 It's hard to take this as a positive being such a drab game, but we needed to do it. No real moments to relish, but it has to be ugly sometimes. My biggest gripe is the little tantrum that Pelle had when taken off. Get used to it, as it will be happening on a regular basis, with the attacking options we have. Maybe now he will really start competing, I've never seen such a big man knocked off the ball so easily, that's why I'm a big advocate of Charlie Austin, even Jay returning after 16 months was tougher. A good solid display in Thursday will give us a big lift

2

LesVivian added 10:38 - Aug 24 Two teams giving the ball away too easily - both will be punished by other teams, if they keep passing to them! VW can't pass - JWP can pass, but lacks Victor's strength; hopefully JC will come in soon to improve this aspect of the midfield!
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IWOZTHERE added 11:30 - Aug 24 It's 'points that win prizes' and however poor it was I'm just relieved we didn't take another pasting, bearing in mind the significant injuries and negative transfer rumours.It's all about 'treading water' for a couple of weeks and avoiding any major confidence sapping defeats.
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TissLeGod added 11:33 - Aug 24 Overall I am not surprised by the result or performance, in that its been said elsewhere, we are not firing on all fronts yet. We are in a period of transformation and having to replace the spine of our team> Fonte has lost protection in front and behind him> our midfield is adjusting to the loss of its commander.> and our front line are dependent on good service whilst still finding their feet. As others have said Betrand is a big miss at the moment and Clasie should be the heart and distribution (although has not had game time/ prem experience - so will take a few weeks to bed in). 3 games in its disappointing but as we know its a long season. We can not afford to loose Fonte, Wanyama or Mane. We need to add players in defence and maybe a couple more to make those certain of playing less comfortable and up their game. I have mixed feelings about Thursday - i'd like us to get into the EL but won't be devastated if we don't. Norwich are there for the taking and everyone would expect us to win that regardless of our current form. So the next week should I hope clarify the next few months for us. COYRs

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BoondockSaint added 14:46 - Aug 24 Broken record time again: No sense of urgency, no grit, no putting the newly promoted team under Premier pressure. Just a lot of "maybe I'll kick the ball over there....oh, it didn't work? Oh, well..... As usual, the only players actually working: Fonte, Mane, Wanyama.
2

IanRC added 15:41 - Aug 24 Thought Wanyame was dreadful, hope his head isn't elsewhere..... That said concerning that we appear to have lost our attacking incisiveness. In pre season Targget and Cedric were bombing down the wings and putting in dangerous crosses and Pelle was thriving, seems to have evaporated now. When are Clasie and Bertrand due back.
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HungrySaint added 15:50 - Aug 24 As we have either lost to transfer or injury 4 defenders, our first choice goalkeeper and our midfield puppet master I am not surprised our new additions aren't playing together as the unit they have replaced just yet. That said looking at the individuals brought in so far none of them look like bad replacements they just need time together. My only concern is the fragility of Clasie given the lack of creativity in our recent games. Maybe we need another creative midfielder as back up. Still think we should be ok once the team are playing as RK wants them to.

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Tizz_the_wiz added 16:59 - Aug 24 I agree with HungrySaint It takes time for a new team to gel and start to play as a team and not as individuals. To start to think as one and know & anticipate each others' position & movement I'm not worried. This will take a few games and more so if the squad is disrupted with enforced changes Probably the most surprising thing of last season was how quickly the new team gelled. Perhaps because Ronald was new in as well but that was the exception, not this season. If I have learned one thing as a lifelong saints fan it's patience. So for me a clean sheet and defensive solidarity was a positive step that we can build on. Watford scored 90+ goals last season we stopped them having a single attempt on target. Our lean defensive record was what put us in great stead last season getting that right first & then building on that has to be the priority.

1

Ali_Diarea added 22:41 - Aug 24 Reality check - The only reason we kept a clean sheet was due to Watford's ineptitude in front of goal; from what I saw they missed two gilt-edge chances...
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Jesus_02 added 09:55 - Aug 25 Even if it costs 24m we need to replace Schniederlin! Romeu is a great but i still think we need more to alow us to play out from tye back
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