The dream has gone. A frustrating evening game which saw a battling and committed Saints denied victory by a dogged Oldham side who played for the draw from the outset and a Referee who was several leagues above his competence level.
With Wotton in for Spiderman, the mid-field was never going to set the game on fire - especially with Oldham playing five across the middle. Wotton is a capable enough stopper but his distribution is always suspect and last night particularly so. Puncheon kept him company on this occasion. Barnard, Lambert and Lallana kept running for as long as they were on the park. Lloyd James was introduced at half time but withdrawn 25 minutes later after a wonderful impersonation of a head-less chicken!
The crowd was disappointing (18,366) given the importance of the game, but the fans were deafeningly loud for most of the game - spurred on by the inept and inadequate Referee Mr Wright who proved on the night to be more a Mr Wrong. The stats show what a spoiling game Oldham played:
There are some aspects of the Saints game that need to change:
- Hurried and wasted free kicks
- Short corners that come to nothing
- Corners and crosses that are gently lofted to give the keeper catching practice rather than allow a glancing header on target.
It is now virtually inconceivable that we will make the play-offs. That will allow Pardew to plan a pre-season programme that will set us well for the next season. It will be difficult coping with the clubs coming down from the Championship, but we must battle and be there or there-abouts for the entire season if our dream of promotion is to be realised.
Enjoy the remaining three games. have a well-deserved rest and win the division next season.
COYR
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