Southampton in nosebleed territory but soaring Saints are a work in progress

[Saint86]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/29/southampton-crystal-palace-match-report

 

Nice bit of journalism about us this season, objective and fair... a good read that some of you may be interested in.

 

Three years ago, Southampton were 17th in League One. They have risen a long way since then – two divisions and 56 places to be precise, staggering progress in such a short space of time and a journey that shows no sign of stopping. Year on year, there has been gradual improvement and now Southampton are in nosebleed territory, fifth in the Premier League.

 

They have had to learn quickly. Indeed, at this stage last season Southampton, wide-eyed and rash defensively, were 17th after picking up three points from their first six matches, conceding 18 goals in that period. Now, along with Tottenham's, their defence is the best in the league.

 

A favourable fixture list, last week's win at Liverpool aside, compared with their start last season has helped. Even so, with the centre-back Dejan Lovren excelling after arriving from Lyon during the summer, they have let in only two goals and kept their fourth clean sheet in the routine win over Crystal Palace.

 

Since Mauricio Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins in January, Southampton have conceded 21 goals in 22 league matches. But as far as the Argentinian is concerned, it is a team effort in which everyone plays their part. Few sides press as feverishly as Southampton and, rather like Spain, keeping the ball can be as much a defensive tactic as an offensive one. Watch and learn, England.

 

"Our setup is very clear," Pochettino said. "We want to defend, keeping possession of the ball. We want to be as effective on the attack, to be as far away from our side of the pitch as possible. That's how we want to play. That's how we are playing.

 

"We are pleased with that. We also know we are running a certain risk when we play that way because we might be giving the ball away, but it is our philosophy. We want to believe that we can play and succeed playing in that way."

 

Under Pochettino, Southampton are a more measured side but they remain a work in progress and before Saturday they had neither scored from open play nor won at home.The tension was building before Daniel Osvaldo broke the deadlock with a fine strike from the edge of the area, his first goal for the club since his £14.6m move from Roma. "He's a player that can generate his own chances," Pochettino said. "It is a very competitive league, especially for a striker. It's completely different to playing in Spain, Italy or France. He wasn't able to do a pre-season with us so it's going to take him some time to adapt."

 

Palace know the feeling after their fifth defeat in six matches.

 

Two minutes after Osvaldo's goal, Rickie Lambert's free-kick sealed their fate. Perhaps it would have been different if Marouane Chamakh had not dived over Artur Boruc instead of shooting when he was through in the first half. Chamakh thought a yellow card was "severe"; no one else did.

 

"I don't know what went through his head at the time." Ian Holloway said. "I know he wants to do well and he wants to score goals. That's one of those freak moments. I'll be able to sit down with him in the cold light of day and see what was going through his mind."

 

Man of the match Daniel Osvaldo (Southampton)

[DanW]

I enjoy the picture of Rickie in the advert at the bottom for the Premier League Roundup.