Pompey arrived to play Saints with a game plan and they stuck doggedly to it to earn a point, but it made for a game that was hard to watch for the fans of either side, at the end there was only one set of fans celebrating.

The Saints line up was pretty much as I had predicted in the preview, we reverted to a back four with the inclusion of debutant winger Tom Fellows with Finn Azaz playing just behind lone striker Cameron Archer.

The stats made just as hard reading as watching the game, only one shot on target for either side, Pompey came out of the traps first and for the first 10 minutes, they pressed hard and Saints struggled to get the ball down and play and St Mary's held their breath as the visitors hit the bar.

But after that the game fell into a pattern that would continue throughout the game, they dug in parked the bus and humped the ball long, the first half saw us trying to play football, but we had no time on the ball as Pompey pressed hard and when we did get forward we were met with a solid wall as their rear guard dug in and when we did get the ball into the box we had the small Cameron Archer trying to out jump their tall central defenders, it was never going to work.

Archer is a player that likes to get onto balls played to him in the channels, yet we were going down the wing, we could not get the ball down and play forward balls due the the Pompey high press.

Second half saw us looking more determined and we looked lively, but by now Pompey were truly digging in, chances were fee and far between and when we did get the ball into the box the visitors usually had 9 men in there to make sure we didn't have any room.

The big surprise is how long Will Still took to make changes, the first one did not take place until the 74th minute a triple change that saw Caspar Jander on for Flynn Downes and Ross Stewart & Adam Armstrong replacing Cameron Archer & surprisingly Finn Azaz.

Armstrong livened up the game and we looked more likely to score than at any other time, but I would contend that when we made our second change with Leo Scienza & Jay Robinson replacing Fellows & Fraser, that it upset our shape a little, we now had changed half the outfield starting 10 in just 8 minutes.

We had a lot more of the ball getting into the box, but it was packed with Pompey players and they were near to the finish line and determined to get their hard earned point.

You hoped for a late winner and there was the odd occasion when it looked likely, but it just wouldn't fall for us.

For a set of supporters who repeatably tell us that we are forever in their shadow and they don't case about us, the Blue Few seemed to celebrate as if they had won the FA Cup, for us this was two points dropped, but for them it was the greatest game of the last 6 years since we slaughtered them at Fratton Park in the League Cup.

So a disappointing day for Southampton, yes we didn't lose, but the most important thing was to win this game and see us rise to the edge of the play off places and we failed to to that.

In truth we could have done without this game coming straight after the international break, not only did we have 5 players in the squad who could potentially make their debut, 4 of them did, as well as Finn Azaz making only his second appearance, we were also missing Damion Downs who was the last to return after the International break, leaving him tired after a long haul flight.

This was a tough game for anyone to make their debut in let alone bedding in 4, we could have done with this coming a week or two later.

The referee didn't help, he gave a number of decisions against us and at times seemed to give a foul against us every time a Pompey player fell over, he also let them time waste from almost the first minute when it was clear that Portsmouth had come to spoil, not take us on in a game of football.

There were plus points, we looked more comfortable with a back four and although Pompey got in some dangerous crosses and balls into the box, we dealt with them well and they rarely looked like converting any of them.

We got a lot of the ball and we failed to utilise that to the extent we should have, you have to give Pompey credit here, they gave us no time to control the ball and pass it and when we did they cut off the lines of supply to our forwards.

If we had scored at any time it would have meant Pompey having to come out a bit more to look for an equaliser and that would have opened out the game and given us more room both inside and out of the box.

There is still a long way to go in this season and we won't be playing our local rivals getting every man behind the ball every week, yes we didn't create and score in this game, but now we have settled our back four, we can work on the creative side of things and to be honest we now have a lot of options.

This was a big disappointment for Saints supporters, it was a wake in the pubs afterwards and not a celebration, this perhaps highlights the difference between the two clubs over the last decades, for them this was their biggest game in 6 years, their 2nd biggest in 13 years and for us it was a disaster.

The two clubs may be in the same division this season, but the gulf is just as wide, form is temporary, class is permanent.

Southampton supporters were magnificent, drowning out the away support and keeping going throughout the game, it was just a shame that we didn't score if we had you would have heard the roar 18 miles away.

All Photos Via Reuters

DorsetIan added 10:25 - Sep 15 That's a very fair report. I agree that Still made the subs too late and, I think, got them wrong. Armstrong from Archer was sensible but I think Robinson should have come in for Azaz at the same time. Robinson wasn't making his debut and I think he may have added that little bit of attacking quality from midfield to change the balance of the game.
7

bryanK added 10:26 - Sep 15 What a let down. When we play out from the back with Still’s obvious first choice centre backs Stephens and Harwood Bellis I feel due to their desire to play tippy tappy Russell Martin style of play it sets the tone for the whole team. Slow build up becomes the norm and it appears ingrained in them. Still has a real task on his hands moulding this team into a promotion seeking team. Compounded by a lack of a proper target man up front. Playing high balls up to Archer was a joke and clearly not playing to his strengths. I know this is early days but the lack of goal scoring opportunities is very worrying. I really hope the new signings when bedded in make a difference in the coming weeks.

6

davidargyll added 10:37 - Sep 15 Apart from the first 15 minutes of the second half this was as dire a game of football that I can ever remember. And I should imagine that the guy at Sky who suggested this as a potentially exciting game for a Sunday lunchtime audience must be on a final warning. As it was, Pompey looked so much more like a TEAM than we did and tbh we could have lost that by two or three nil had their finishing and luck been better. BUT… As I said, at the beginning if H2 we did seem to get off our arses and ran at them - Still certainly had sussed out the weakness in their two backs, even if we didn't capitalise on that enough early doors. So I do think we are getting a better and, as the new players start to meld in, we should improve further and start to get some results within the next month or so. But pur-lease, WILL, YOU AND THE GUYS ARE THERE TO ENTERTAIN US, not to produce a bore-fest like yesterday. The last thing we/you need is a restless crowd starting to boo…

2

highfield49 added 10:44 - Sep 15 Clearly not the outcome that any of us wanted but certainly better than losing the match. No lack of effort or desire but when every other team in the league realises that they can just park the bus and get a point away from home it's going to be a very frustrating season. Early days, but we've brought in players with a reputation for providing goals and assists. Fingers crossed that the expectation is rewarded in the games ahead.

4

SaintPaulVW added 11:04 - Sep 15 I think the overkill of how important a game this was meant that Still set his team up not to lose and then stuck with that plan for too long. This was game 5 of a 46 game season so objectively not a make or break game other than local bragging rights. Clearly we have a lot to work on. If wingers looking to make crosses is now our thing, really need to be playing Stewart alongside Archer. Not sure how you fit Azaz in that set up. One to solve. Defence looked solid, Although Mat seemed very put out by Murphy, who was excellent and had his worst game so far. We had a few good attacks but team looks disjointed going forwards ATM. I'm sure this will be worked on in the coming weeks. Too early to get too upset. COYR

6

onetowatch added 11:14 - Sep 15 Sorry Nick, I think you've been overly biased towards Saints in this report. Yes, you've highlighted faults, but the bottom line is how on earth can we spend 2 weeks preparing for a game and serve up a first half performance like that? Yes, new players, adapting to a different system, but whatever formation or line up, you must compete and you must be brave enough to take responsibility on the ball. We did neither. We did not look comfortable at the back. Roerslev, yes, was up against the best player on the day in Murphy, but other teams will see this game and see we have a weak link there. We were nothing less than lucky to not be behind by HT. Reading his after match comments, WS seems to recognise how poor we were, so I'm really hoping for a strong reaction and a demand on our players that we raise the bar significantly.

4

saintmark1976 added 11:23 - Sep 15 Firstly all credit to Portsmouth, they came to St Mary’s with a plan with each of their players knowing what their respective responsibilities were and played as a team. Overall I thought them a little unlucky not to go away with all three points. Still’s team selection for what to many is the biggest home game of the season was utterly bizarre. At best he put out a team not to lose, at worst he simply didn’t have a clue. Aimless balls pumped up to a lone forward like Archer just empathised the biggest weakness in the team, £50 million spent in the last window and we still haven’t got a centre forward who can score goals or even hold a ball up. Robinson given just 15 minutes against a tiring Portsmouth defence was another ridiculous decision. I’m beginning to think that Mr Still is starting to show what he actually is. A young manager who has never played professional football or previously managed in any English league let alone The Championship. He had better get some wins and quickly, or the minor booing heard at the end of the game yesterday will become ever louder.

0

wessexman added 11:27 - Sep 15 Yes, it was an eagerly awaited derby. Yes, we wanted the bragging rights. But, the main thing was a get three points to get our season kick started. Judging by our first half performance, we were lucky this game was not played at Fratton Park, as that could have been embarrassing. Will Still has a lot of thinking and work to do to get us anywhere near promotion. Very, very disappointing afternoon. Improvement called for sharpish.

1

underweststand added 11:28 - Sep 15 Verdict; SAD. An over-publicised "non-event " with Saints players almost too afraid to make mistakes (of which there were many,) and a Pompey side who squandered enough chances to win two games, yet we ended with neither side able to score a goal. Some encouraging solo efforts from a couple of the "new boys" , whilst the likes of Azaz and Manning looked a bit stale after three games in a week. It seems that Archer can only score "by accident" but the rest of the time is almost anonymous. Stewart might have been more of a threat at the start, with a "fresh" Archer on as sub. later. We have FIVE strikers (?) on the books yet 4 of our 6 league goals have been scored by defenders (!). I sympathise with Will Still - as he hasn't found a workable formula yet, and some of his new signings are still getting to know one other, but now that "derby hoodoo" is over, it's getting back to "normal fixtures" and we need to see some good results PDQ - if we are to make a serious challenge for a quick return to the Prem.

3

HythePeer added 12:01 - Sep 15 A finer display of mediocrity i have never seen. The only decent bit of movement off the ball was when someone invaded the pitch with security chasing behind. 🏃🏻‍♂️🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪
1

redwight added 12:59 - Sep 15 A generous verdict Nick. The fact is that the fans were really up for it, yet by half time the team had burst our bubble - normally the job of the away side. The timing of the game could not have been worse, with the international break along with the arrival of the new signings, meaning that 11 individuals took to the pitch against a proper team. This was not the managers fault and we shouldn't rush to judgement. However, watching the centre backs endlessly exchanging passes for no purpose whatsoever was depressing because nothing appears to have changed. The slow, ponderous pattern of play suggests that the ghost of RM has not been exorcised - it seems like years have passed since we've enjoyed fast paced, one touch football. Goal scoring will remain a problem. Why do we not have two class strikers instead of five average ones? Ings has never been replaced, as many others have said here.

2

redwight added 12:59 - Sep 15 A generous verdict Nick. The fact is that the fans were really up for it, yet by half time the team had burst our bubble - normally the job of the away side. The timing of the game could not have been worse, with the international break along with the arrival of the new signings, meaning that 11 individuals took to the pitch against a proper team. This was not the managers fault and we shouldn't rush to judgement. However, watching the centre backs endlessly exchanging passes for no purpose whatsoever was depressing because nothing appears to have changed. The slow, ponderous pattern of play suggests that the ghost of RM has not been exorcised - it seems like years have passed since we've enjoyed fast paced, one touch football. Goal scoring will remain a problem. Why do we not have two class strikers instead of five average ones? Ings has never been replaced, as many others have said here.

2

halftimeorange added 13:45 - Sep 15 As is so often with "big" games, the anticipation far outweighs the performance and so it was on Saturday when Saints "new" team put in an understandably underwhelming display against a Portsmouth side well-drilled in playing together over a couple of seasons in a familiar system. To my mind none of our recent additions shone, our best performers were old hands - Fraser, Manning, Charles and Bazunu. I expect Will Still will have spent this morning talking measurements - why were balls over the top either a yard too high or too long for Archer, then Stewart, similarly a yard too short for Fraser and Fellows. And where was his mantra of "always look to play forward" in respect of Stephens and Harwood-Bellis, both of whom unashamedly seemed content to pass the ball backwards and forwards to each other across our penalty area, in so doing encouraging Portsmouth to come forwards and stifling many possible attacks. As for Harwood-Bellis's booking when Still had openly stated before the game that his players should keep their heads well, I hope Taylor is fined. Anyway, it's early days, Will Still isn't a sorcerer and we have to be realistic in that respect. I'm sure he had few positives to discuss with his companions on the way home. I know how he feels.

4

Bowlercow added 13:46 - Sep 15 The last time we were in the Championship we had 9 points from the first 8 games so no need to panic Very unfair to criticise Will at this stage He still has an oversized squad,seven players that he has only met twice not to mention a shell shocked ex Premier league squad.We must give him the whole of his contract to get us back into the crooked PL The club needs stability Is it 7 full time managers in 30 months ? That must change starting now As for the game yesterday you would be hard pushed to find 11 good players from the whole of both squads Mousing has proved that he is the right man for the Skates In one breath he said Will blanked him and the next he said he had him in his left ear the whole match I sit just behind the tech areas in Block 8 Will stayed at the end of his area furthest from the Pompey area Probably scared of catching something In the second minute the skate refused to pick up the ball for one of his players to take a throw in so Will stepped forward (not onto the pitch) and threw the ball to the Pompey player The skate objected and the ref intervened What's more the skate coaches took it in turns to harrange the 4th official all through the game The ref never intervened Then at the end he grabbed Wills hand and wouldn't let go Like I say typical skate

2

ItchenNorth added 20:17 - Sep 15 Disappointing derby. No real passion from either side, not a great game. It's a sterile atmosphere around the city on derby days, created by the police bubble these days. I couldn't hear the Pompey fans all game from the Northam, but I'm sure they'll say the same about us. However, Imo, it was a mistake to move the away end. We've lost the Itchen North fans and their atmosphere that would keep the away fans quiet or distracted. The away section now has free reign to out sing one entire end of the stadium every week !

3

sfcsuperfan added 08:29 - Sep 16 Agree with most of the previous comments. I was frustrated with the lack of pace in the side and the continuing problem of our defence playing too deep. To score we need to be playing in the opponent’s half with our whole team. Where was the high press we were promised ? We have lost several midfielders ( s armstrong, c alcaraz , fernadez and dibling to name a few) who could receive the ball, turn , drive forward and create something. Without this it is so hard to open up the defence. The fashion for a lone striker is depressing , top teams may make it work, but we just look toothless. What chance has Archer or A armstrong getting into the game . We need a strong tall centre forward who can hold up the ball and bring others into the game and a pacy striker to feed off him. Lets hope W still and his coaching staff can see the faults and have remedies otherwise it will be a long and boring season .

1

DoctorSleep added 09:51 - Sep 16 I'm really surprised that no-one has mentioned how bad the midfield was in particular Downes, he had a nightmare of a game. Continually giving the ball away. The midfield issue could also explain why the centre backs kept passing the ball between themselves - there was no outlet. Cant recall if Aribo was on the bench or not but he needs to play in place of Downes alongside Charles

0

underweststand added 12:57 - Sep 16 one point that few have mentioned (from our side) is the three-man incident where the Pompey goalie was injured. Now the Pompey manager seems all set to seek a Police charge accusing Fellows of deliberately injuring his two players (!). Dangerous stuff. It was a loose ball that all three wanted to contest and their goalie took it on himself to come a long way out and challenge instead of leaving it to his defender to deal with. Obviously It is bad news if the goalie has a serious injury, but it almost seems that the two Pompey players caused their own injuries in the collision. The thing I find most disturbing is that the Pompey manager seemed more aggressive than most of his players were and what began as " sour grapes" has stoked up the atmosphere for the return fixture. Bearing in mind the scenes following the 2019 League Cup fixture, I hope he will calm down before then instead of fanning the flames as he has done so demonstrably.

0

onetowatch added 11:53 - Sep 18 DoctorSleep, you've clearly never kicked a ball at any level your whole life. The criticism of FD is completely unfounded. His work rate interceptions, tackles, attempts to continually get forward should be commended. When trying to get the ball forward, of course there is more risk, but in no one is trying, we are left with non impact sideways and backward passing. We had a CM fin our recent past who never made a tackle, only passed square or back and yet was adored by Saints fans because of his free kicks. Both WHU and NF have realised since, that's not enough....

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Derby County Polls