What would have been a good point before the game seems to be a disappointment after it due to a red card for Stoke.

Whilst it cannot be dressed up that Saints do have a problem creating and scoring goals at the moment, it should also be noted that in playing poorly we are still keeping our heas above water and keeping pace with the top 7.

So from that point of view if we can achieve this whilst playing badly, then it bodes well for what we can achieve when we start to click, if poor form is 8 points from 6 games a point per game ratio that would have got us into 9th place last season, then that shows how our standards are set higher these days.

It can't be denied that it is disappointing that Saints failed to break down Stoke after the home side had a man sent off after only 25 minutes, but in some respects this did not help us, at that stage we were already on top of the game, afterwards Stoke concentrated on staying behind the ball and keeping a clean sheet and for a side like us low on confidence and creativity that was not an advantage.

We can't buy a goal at the moment, 15 shots yielded only 5 on target and a handful of very nearly goals not on target, not least Jay Rodriguez's lunge that failed to put the ball into an empty net, although the chance was not as easy as it looked due to the attention of a stoke defender.

Others came near to scoring but only yan Bertrand forced a good save from the keeper and that is a point that needs to be addressed.

But when a team is on a run like this they have to look at the plus points and improve on them, we are not conceding goals and that is a good foundation to build on, now we need the confidence that a goal or two brings, at the moment we are scared to gamble, the side are not taking risks, they are playing the percentage balls and trying to create the perfect chance rather than look for the unexpected.

But if Saints can break out of this circle of missed chances then there is every chance we can start scoring, again we have taken a step forward, Stoke is a tough place to go, we can go to Bournemouth with our confidence to keep a clean sheet intact, 4 out of the last 6 games is a good basis, Bournemouth are a team that gambles and we can capitaise on that.

Some will continue to moan about entertainment etc, but I don't support Saints to be entertained, I support them to see them win games and try to add to our solitary trophy win, this season we are as close to that as we have been in all but one season out of the last 30 years, that gives me hope and optismism.

There will be a time for a post mortem of this season, but that is in May, till then we have to give Clause Puel the chance to fashion his own side.

This was not the greatest game in Saints top flight history, but if you think it is anywhere near the worse then you haven't been following this club very long.

Yes we need some passion, fight and enthusiasm in the side, but these are all things that are generated by results and confidence and last night at Stoke was a step nearer.

Photo: Action Images

halftimeorange added 11:05 - Dec 16 To be honest, I'm not entirely sure it is simply the attackers at fault. In the Stoke game both Martina and Redmond looked as though they'd been instructed not to attempt passing the full backs on the outside and, as soon as the stopped our attacks stopped. It happened time and again but, strangely, it didn't happen in our home game against the Boro when Martina was our best threat in terms of crossing and so, too, was Redmond when he came on. You can't claim too many chances were clear cut against Stoke, my main gripe is no variation in the play. JWP's corners invariably fell into the Stoke keeper's hands. There seems to be no plan B and I am tired of seeing the ball passed everywhere but forward. Even Boufal, who obviously has talent, has started suffering from this malaise. As a fan I'm really frustrated. Yes, it is about gaining points but nothing shuts a crowd up more than lack of action.

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schatfield added 12:55 - Dec 16 Have we turned Boufal into a sideways passing machine, like the others yet?
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VancouverSaint added 17:42 - Dec 16 When the opposing team "parks the bus" we're done for. We have no big man to gather the crosses from the wings. Fonte and VVD are there for corners, but we've had no luck there either lately. Shots like Bertram took are far and few between. They need to work on the training field on just this one drill....how to break down stubborn 10 men defences. Figure that out and we should be fine but will they get it done is another question.

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SaintBrock added 17:39 - Dec 17 I agree with Puel on one thing that we are not the only team who cannot find a way to break down a 10 man defence, it is a common malaise in the premier league and makes one wonder if it is in fact an impossible task in the same way that once mastered it is impossible to win a game of chequers when faced with an opponent of equal measure. The point he misses 'though is the fact that we cannot score goals against any form of defence put up against us. On a good note he is becoming less convincing in denials in pressies when pushed on strikers arriving in the Janvier Mercato.

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SaintBrock added 17:44 - Dec 17 Claude, how is it so difficult to say "Transfer Window"? Vous êtes en Angleterre, un pays qui parle la langue anglaise!
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