I don't see a 'just back from the game' post so I feel the need to make a rare contribution - apologies to DT.
I sat just behind the Saints bench with some Feyenoord mates. They told me before the game that their defence was shaky and so it proved. FWIW they think Vitesse's defence is worse though compensated by a pretty lethal strike force. We shall see.
Stekelenberg did everything he needed to - dealt with some crosses, came out to collect at feet and distributed confidently. I didn't see him stop any shots though a couple sailed just over so let's hope he had them covered
Defence looked solid. Yoshida has improved so much since he came to us. He still has no distribution but looks unflappable and Fonte and Wanyama are always available for the short, sensible pass. And they both looked very strong. Targett looked the business to me. When he was on 'my' touchline he dealt with everything. Going forward he wasn't so incisive as Clyne, say - but he did beat the last player and get a cross in when he was put through or looking to make the final pass when blocked. Couldn't make my mind up about Soares. He dealt with the easy stuff adequately but got beaten by pace and quick passing when Feyenoord turned it on.
I'm not sure it's fair to judge Clasie on this. He scurried about and fought for the ball like a man with something to prove at times and when he was calm his passing was excellent but didn't lead to much. Difficult game for him though. I like Davis because I think he always gives us some teeth but he had a quiet game too.
Mane looked dangerous as always but a bit more assured. There was less of the lone runner about him somehow - more of a team player but that may have something to do with our strategy of putting high balls through to Pelle to pull down for parts of the game. That changed dramatically when Juanmi came on. He looked excellent at times when he picked up the ball in our half and moved us forward 20 -30 yards by running with it. From where I was sat he allowed us to completely change approach and this has to be a good thing. There were times when a pass to him went to a space he had just vacated so maybe his team mates need to get more familiar with him too. Tadic was all over the pitch which must have been hard for Feyenoord to handle though having said that I don't remember much about his game. Ward-Prowse looked very confident and competent but I didn't see anything spectacular from him either. Mind you th egame was won by the time he came on.
Pelle looked strong enough but a bit one dimensional. But he scored, could have had more (their defence gave him very close attention and very little time on the ball) and his technique was fine. Maybe not greedy enough - had a tendency to lay the ball off rather than take a speculative punt.
As far as striking options go, I don't remember anything about Long (not necessarily his fault, sorry) and I don't know why Rodriguez didn't get some time. He was warming up in front of me with Ward-Prowse but only the latter went on.
Was a great atmosphere. There's plenty above about the farewell's etc but I will mention Pelle again. When he was substituted he walked along both benches shaking hands and then handed his shirt to a fan in a wheelchair in front of me. He then spent a full 5 minutes with his back to the pitch chatting with the disabled supporters in the front row. Obviously he will recognise them but I don't think I've ever seen a player get real with the crowd like that. My conclusion: give him the love and he'll give you the goals. Just sayin.
