Saints v Cardiff: post match reaction

[Mole]

Good result and we deserved it.

 

Other results went against us though so todays result will mean nothing if we can't get 3-4 points from the next two away games.

[thorpie the sinner]

If the players keep this belief against ipswich, we can def get something there!!!

[70's Mike]

Wotte is playing a decent line up and getting the very most out of his squad. Not only 2 wins but two excellent performances against two of the top teams in the league. We have a real chance now of staying up, but that's it at the moment, just a chance. Still, playing with that determination and ability for the next couple of months would give us a fantastic chance.

 

Well done Wotte and the team. So so much better with a proper strike force and people happy in their midfield positions. Gillett can be a bit limited, but he's doing an excellent job at the moment.

 

un fair to Gillett , he is a british footballer , and limited compared to who .

Gobern, Pulis, MorGAN, Lalana ?

[alpine_saint]

You couldn't help yourself could you? I knew you would be moaning, even when we've won our last two games. Get over yourself already.

 

Yep, I was really moaning.

 

I noticed you didnt quote the first half of that post..

 

If you think everything is suddenly right at the club because we've won a couple of games then you are even more bonkers than I thought.

[um pahars]

A good performance, not as good as the Preston game, but then again Cardiff looked a much better team than Preston, so arguably it was a better win.

 

A bit of a sht that some of the others won, but then again it is now in our own hands.

 

Davies made a couple of good saves, but all in all it was a tight game with not many chances for either side.

 

The defence looked very good and upfront we were always alert and up for it. The midfield was OK, but not as strong as up front and at the back.

 

Our legs went on about 70 mins and Gillett and McGoldrick ran out of steam big time which was a bit of a worry.

 

Definite penalty for us us, although they could have had one towards the end!!!

 

Once again the wise old heads led the way with Saeijs, Euell, Skacel, Peryy & Saga leading by example. Skacel in particular was very good and was always talking, getting the lads to calm down and barking out instructions (don't want to be negative, but it just makes the early part of the season even more mental!!!).

 

As for player marks:

 

Davis - 7 - A couple of good saves, but not much else

 

James - 7 - A better game for him, although I did notice that when Lallana went walk about, he does get left isolated

 

Saeijs - 8 - Very composed, rugged when necessary and up for it

 

Perry - 8 - A great foil for Saeijs and up for it.

 

Skacel - 8.5 - Led by example, geed everyone up, confident and composed on the ball.

 

Lallana - 6 - Some glimpses of skill, but not his best game

 

Gillett - 7 - Got stuck in, but his legs went too early IMHO

 

McGoldrick - 6 - Got stuck in, but then sloppy and concede possession too many times, but then again he's not a centre midfielder

 

Surman - 7.5 - Best of the midfield for me. Mixed battling qualities and skill well.

 

Saga - 8 - Looked sharp, gave us an outlet and put them under pressure.

 

Euell - 8 - Led from the front and with Saga he ensured we defended from the top.

 

subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 - Didn't really do too much

 

Wright Phillips - 7 - Looked bright and worked hard to give us an outlet

 

Liptak - 5 - Probably not fair as he was only on for 5 mins, but he reminded me of bambi meets Ali Dia

 

 

Two big away games and arguably even 2 points could be OK, but with Blackpool, Forest & Plymouth having two home games, which is a bit of a bu.gger, we may need more than that. Norwich are away twice, which is positive news as they're having a mare.

[alpine_saint]

Wotte is playing a decent line up and getting the very most out of his squad. Not only 2 wins but two excellent performances against two of the top teams in the league. We have a real chance now of staying up, but that's it at the moment, just a chance. Still, playing with that determination and ability for the next couple of months would give us a fantastic chance.

 

Well done Wotte and the team. So so much better with a proper strike force and people happy in their midfield positions. Gillett can be a bit limited, but he's doing an excellent job at the moment.

 

Yep, the team still need to grab the chance being offered to them.

 

I aint too worried about the other results today, its our momentum that counts

[miserableoldgit]

I thought that it was a different sort performance from last weeks. Last week if was comparatively easy to pick a man of the match (Euell or Saga) but today there were a lot of good performances. Perry was immense, Surman and Lallana very effective, Gillett everywhere, Saga and Euell causing trouble in their defence and of course a couple of wonder saves from Super Kelv! A really good TEAM performance. Just gotta keep it going now!

[trousers]

Just got back.

 

One word: Passion

 

Difficult to pick out a man-of-the-match as all players gave 100% effort but worthy of special mention are: Kelvin (two wonder saves to preserve our lead); Lallana (superb in midfield and was unlucky not to score with a sweet curving shot in first half); Euell (where has this man been all season? Superb peformance) and Saga (exudes class)

 

My MOTM goes to Saga - he does so much more than score.

 

This result only goes to highlight the folly in sticking with a flawed strategy for 2/3rds of the season. Wotte looks like being a good manager for us which begs the question why (a) he never spoke up before he took over and (b) why we didn't change before Christmas when it was obvious the 'experiment' wasn't working.

 

Anyway, back to the here and now.....superb today. Keep it up and we'll be safe.

[Weston Saint]

It seems that either me, or my son, or both of us are jinxes on the club at home. We've stayed away for the last two home matches and we have won them both, having seen just one win at home previously this season.

 

So what do we do? Carry on the boycott which would grow more pointless if we carry on winning, as others will return and make the boycott meaningless, or return and by our presence restore the bad luck that we bring?

Come back Wes.

 

You would have been proud of the teams fight for 95 minutes, to see the Manager swerling his jacket round his head at the final whistle, the players in a huddle at the end with the Manager before leaving the field, the Northam and Itchen singing positively throughout and and Woggy was back in the technical area at the end of the game.

 

Financially we are still very much in the mire and it is still touch and go so your money is needed. Not for Lowe and Wilde but for Wotte and the team.

 

Feeling very positive tonight.

[SNSUN]

I want to meet this Lady Luck and knob her brains out.

 

Unthinkable two games ago. Still doubtful for the season but still...

[um pahars]

Woggy was back in the technical area at the end of the game.

 

Are you sure?????

 

Describe who you think Woggy is, cos I reckon you're getting confused with Big Les.

[Weston Saint]

Are you sure?????

 

Describe who you think Woggy is, cos I reckon you're getting confused with Big Les.

Ah was I? Maybe, just glanced over quickly. Who is Les and what does he do then?

[um pahars]

Ah was I? Maybe, just glanced over quickly. Who is Les and what does he do then?

 

Les was the big fella with glasses in the Technical Area at the end. Fairly tall and shall we say, portly!!!! He's the gofer who does all sorts around the Club and Dressing Room (I think!!).

 

Woggy is much more dimnutive and I have to say i didn't see him (could well be wrong though).

[Weston Saint]

Les was the big fella with glasses in the Technical Area at the end. Fairly tall and shall we say, portly!!!! He's the gofer who does all sorts around the Club and Dressing Room (I think!!).

 

Woggy is much more dimnutive and I have to say i didn't see him (could well be wrong though).

No you are probably right Steve. We seem to have seen the same person. My mistake.

[VectisSaint]

A bit of a sht that some of the others won, but then again it is now in our own hands.

Technically thats not true, we would have to have an unlikely 6-0 win away to Wolves in our game in hand for that to be tha case.

Oh, hang on

[Saf...]

w00p.

 

Another good showing by Saeiajsjs, Gillett got stuck in, McGoldrick had another decent game in midfield and Rudi had a stormer. Not one player let us down today, and a special thanks to Kelvin Davis for that save.

[SNSUN]

I want to meet this Lady Luck and knob her brains out.

 

Unthinkable two games ago. Still doubtful for the season but still...

[alpine_saint]

Forest, Blackpool and Pymouth are well-within our sights..

[Arizona]

Just back and an excellent performance I have to say. Two home games in a row where we've played in-form playoff chasing sides off the park. Who saw that coming last Friday? Very impressed by the team ethic, the attitude and desire to play the ball forwards.

 

Wotte, I take it all back. You are not a cloggy Steve Wigley. His team selection was spot on, not tinkering with a winning formula like Poortaloo. Everytime I thought of a substitution which was needed, he did it about 2 minutes later.

 

As for the players:

 

Davis - 8 THAT save! When he caught the corner at the end, I cheered louder than the goal.

 

James - 7 Thought he was better first half, but did very well considering Lallana offers him fook all protection. Went a bit quieter second half.

 

Size - 9 Won everything in the air, excellent play. Good movement and reading of the play for a big man. Well done.

 

Perry - 8 Don't remember seeing that much of him, but don't remember too many Cardiff chances. Kept it simple and had McCormack (top player) in his pocket.

 

Skacel - 8 Solid defensive play and some excellent forward play too. Added some much needed width and joined the attack well second half.

 

Lallana - 5 Only poor performance I thought. Just didn't affect the game anywhere near like he used to and plays far too narrow IMO. Also leaves James exposed a lot.

 

DMG - 7 Certainly looks a whole different animal in midfield. After a sluggish start he picked up and put a lot of effort in. Was clearly knackered when he came off, so at least he's trying.

 

Surman - 7 Good all round game and some great forward runs down the left. Linked well with Rudi.

 

Gillett - 9 Excellent. Like a little whippet. Great engine, passed the ball well and reads the game fantastically. Was everywhere today, and at the right time.

 

Euell - 6 Some good hold up play, but I don't remember him ever really making himself much of a chance. Was a nuisance, but not as much as he can be.

 

Saga - 7 Good hard working game, greated some great chances for himself. Fantastic turn and shot first half, shame Euell blocked it as I'm sure it was going in.

 

Subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 Didn't do much wrong, but was hardly memorable.

 

BWP - 6 Couple of good runs, but not enough time to do much. Should have come on instead of MS for Lallana earlier on IMO.

 

Wotte - 9 Faultless team selection, tactics and subs.

 

Lipstick - n/a But I did laugh when he went on a bit of a Maradonna at the end.

[NickG]

great result, good performance

 

spirit and tactics spot on, good support

 

Cardiffs 5th defeat of the season -the least in the division - beaten the 4th placed side two weeks in a row.

 

Still deep in the cack but reason for optimism

 

Kelvins save -world class

[SNSUN]

I want to meet this Lady Luck and knob her brains out.

 

Unthinkable two games ago. Still doubtful for the season but still...

[NickG]

Just back and an excellent performance I have to say. Two home games in a row where we've played in-form playoff chasing sides off the park. Who saw that coming last Friday? Very impressed by the team ethic, the attitude and desire to play the ball forwards.

 

Wotte, I take it all back. You are not a cloggy Steve Wigley. His team selection was spot on, not tinkering with a winning formula like Poortaloo. Everytime I thought of a substitution which was needed, he did it about 2 minutes later.As for the players:

 

Davis - 8 THAT save! When he caught the corner at the end, I cheered louder than the goal.

 

James - 7 Thought he was better first half, but did very well considering Lallana offers him fook all protection. Went a bit quieter second half.

 

Size - 9 Won everything in the air, excellent play. Good movement and reading of the play for a big man. Well done.

 

Perry - 8 Don't remember seeing that much of him, but don't remember too many Cardiff chances. Kept it simple and had McCormack (top player) in his pocket.

 

Skacel - 8 Solid defensive play and some excellent forward play too. Added some much needed width and joined the attack well second half.

 

Lallana - 5 Only poor performance I thought. Just didn't affect the game anywhere near like he used to and plays far too narrow IMO. Also leaves James exposed a lot.

 

DMG - 7 Certainly looks a whole different animal in midfield. After a sluggish start he picked up and put a lot of effort in. Was clearly knackered when he came off, so at least he's trying.

 

Surman - 7 Good all round game and some great forward runs down the left. Linked well with Rudi.

 

Gillett - 9 Excellent. Like a little whippet. Great engine, passed the ball well and reads the game fantastically. Was everywhere today, and at the right time.

 

Euell - 6 Some good hold up play, but I don't remember him ever really making himself much of a chance. Was a nuisance, but not as much as he can be.

 

Saga - 7 Good hard working game, greated some great chances for himself. Fantastic turn and shot first half, shame Euell blocked it as I'm sure it was going in.

 

Subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 Didn't do much wrong, but was hardly memorable.

 

BWP - 6 Couple of good runs, but not enough time to do much. Should have come on instead of MS for Lallana earlier on IMO.

 

Wotte - 9 Faultless team selection, tactics and subs.

 

Lipstick - n/a But I did laugh when he went on a bit of a Maradonna at the end.

wouldn't you say a bit slow to react?

[alpine_saint]

I want to meet this Lady Luck and knob her brains out.

 

Unthinkable two games ago. Still doubtful for the season but still...

 

What is your major malfunction ??

[NickG]

http://www.4thegame.com/statistics/championship/tables/currentform.html

 

think Blackpool are back in it, only a stat but gives some hope

[rallyboy]

A great gritty performance with steel and passion.

Not pretty at times but hard-earned points, well done Mr Wotte and all the boys, you are allowed to party tonight, at home!

 

Don't underestimate Davis - astonishing saves to keep us in front.

And the crowd did our bit, the noise that went up when the poor bloke got hit by the ball was enough to earn the penalty, god knows where it hit him and I don't care!!

 

And well done to both linesman, they gave us everything 50/50.

On that form we ain't going down, but if we do, we are going down fighting.

 

Life is good.

[Sheff Saint]

Brilliant. Well done boys.

 

I hate sounding negative but this makes the first two thirds of the season all the much more frustrating.

 

But great result. Keep up the passion and we've got a chance hopefully.

[Saint Martini]

There was a Saints penalty shout in the second half, was it one or not? Mark Dennis thought it was a better shout then the first one.

[thorpie the sinner]

What was the attendance today?

[Give it to Ron]

Fantastic performance and top class from back to front.

McGoldrick was superb in the first half and worked his nuts off.

Euell and Saga are such a great EXPERIENCED pairing that is what is making the difference as the ball is held up enough to get the support players forward to help - they feed off ech other so well.

Size and my MOM Perry were superb as was the fantastic Kelvin Davis.

 

Well done again Wotte although early days still I would love him to prove me wrong and us stay up.

[corsacar saint]

Terrific win, have to keep picking up points in every game.

[St Marco]

A very very good result from the lads and nothing else to add that hasen't already been said. Size is becoming a very important player for me, very confident player and makes you feel confident too. Him and Perry have a good partnership going and with Davis pulling out the saves he is that must also bring confidence.

 

We rode our luck at times and we were lucky to have a ref with some balls to give that penalty. The only negative i have is that i think if this was a different day we could of got a thrashing. The boys ground out the result but we never really threatened their goal. I lost count of how many corners they had or how often they were in our half, would be great to see some possesion stats? They missed some sitters and thank god they did. For me MOTM was out of Davis,Size or Saga. Those 3 players make a massive difference to our side. So i think i'll hand it to Davis for his saves which really were out of this world. I would love to see a replay of them!

It is a shame that all the other teams lost but it keeps the pressure on them and gives us the fans belief now that we can battle and grind out results. I would take wins like that every day of the year!

 

Now onto Mr Wotte

 

I like many was cautious about the guy. His background, his part in the Lowe regime support, his words and comments did not fill me with confidence. But he has installed belief in me that we will fight to the end and we will try. If things are not going our way he will try different things rather then persist with the tested methods that have made us lose so much under the previous manager. Speaking to people at the game they mentioned he has changed things around within the camp and this in itself is building confidence amongst the players. They feel a more togetherness then at any other time this season. For me that is a massive difference only a manager can make and if he truely is having that effect then he deserves credit for it. At the end of the game when they had the huddle i think that banished a lot of negativity i felt towards the guy, i felt confident we might be ok.

 

But unlike some people i won't proclaim him the great one just yet. 8 points from 18 is a start, a start that can go either way. If he keeps it up and the boys play with the passion and spirit they are then we can survive. But all it takes is one thing to happen i.e a loss and it can go the other way. I will support him and the players, even the board until the end of the season. Then will be the time to judge them. If we survive then he deserves more respect then Pearson got. He will deserve the job full time. But if we don't survive. Then i would expect them all to resign.

So credit where credit is due and the manager and players deserve the respect they get. They did us proud again.

[Third Division South Days]

According to the OS on the fixtures list today was a 0-0 result? I must have been at the wrong match!

[OldNick]

Les was the big fella with glasses in the Technical Area at the end. Fairly tall and shall we say, portly!!!! He's the gofer who does all sorts around the Club and Dressing Room (I think!!).

 

Woggy is much more dimnutive and I have to say i didn't see him (could well be wrong though).

It wasnt Woggy it was who you say it was.

[OldNick]

As the opposition are better than PNE then I think it was a better result than last week.

Both were great but IMO the motm today was the fans.Whoever starts the Red and White chant needs praise, the whole ground joins into that song.

The team can feel the fans behind them and they draw strength from that.

On the pitch i think there was no player who deserves more praise.The team are now playing as a team and a unit.

I would say that DMG showed real steel and character taking the penalty.It seemed to me nobody wanted to take it and AS passed him the ball to take it.

[Chez]

Davis 9 - what a save, from my angle it looked in all the way. Decent distribution and caught when required. Not overly busy, but did what was required. Can't think of a reason to take marks from him except the lack of things to do.

James 7 - another solid display though less effective going forward than last week.

Seijs 7 - not as dominant in the air as last week but still a good display. Cardoff started to win a lot in the air towards the end. He has made all the different to our side IMO.

Perry 6 - dropped far too deep in the second half and didn't win enough headers, but he's still a decent foil for Seijs.

Skacel 8 overlapped well in the first half. He and Surman forge a very good partnership.

Gillet 9 tremendous first half, he was absolutely everywhere and showed great composure and decent passing. Not quite as good second half but playing well.

McGoldrick 7 the new formation suits him, he never worked hard enough to get in the box and now he isn't required to which gives the team more shape defensively.

Lallana 4 One or two lovely touches that no other player could have done but not nearly enough. Doesn't look fit to me or sharp enough.

Surman 9 If there are any doubters as to Surmans quality this game surely put them to bed. Great from start to finish, tackles, movement, and passing. The left side was excellent today.

Euell 9 brilliant first touch, held up the ball as good if not better than Stern ever did but unlike John he chases across the line and down the channels as well. Another great display

Saga 5 I lost count of ther number of times he gave the ball away when it was played to his feet 10, 15 times at least. His hold up play was appauling. He chased a lot of lost causes, but today was not his day IMO.

[Saint_clark]

Win that game in hand V Watford and we will be above Plymouth and Barnsley, level on points with Forest.

Barnsley will have 2 games in hand, but still.

[Toadhall Saint]

Great result but did we look like losing? Not at all-keep playing like this and.......?who knows?

[Toomer]

That was a very good win today, the more I see of JPS the more I like him no nonsense player if we were under pressure put the ball in the stands. KD made 2 or 3 match winning saves one to his left in the first half to tip the ball round the post. Saga was a little off the pace today but overall could not fault any of them. Very pleased to hold onto a one goal lead for 80 mins must keep Euell up top.

[Saint_clark]

Great result but did we look like losing? Not at all-keep playing like this and.......?who knows?

 

To be honest Cardiff never looked threatening to me, despite Kelvin having to make THAT save.

[Bailey]

Fantastic to end Cardiff's unbeaten run, and it makes them wait even longer for a win at our place. 48 years I think it'll be now!

 

Everyone played their part today, not one player put in a bad performance.

 

It wasn't the best display I've ever seen, but everyone fought for every ball and worked hard for one another.

 

Today, Saints displayed the fighting spirit that is needed if we are to haul ourselves out of the relegation zone.

 

Fair play to the boys! Wotte has got them playing more direct and it appears to be paying off.

 

Lets hope we can keep the momentum going with another win at Ipswich.

[dubai_phil]

Was a good game to listen to on the internet, although the finger nails weren't helped.

 

Still believe we are in a whole heap of trouble, but slowly see signs that we have somebody on the playing management side who actually knows what he is doing, whether it is the comments from players about training being more focused and harder through to the team selections.

 

Maybe we can pull off another great escape on and off the field this season, at least NOW with some experience of managing a football team at the helm we could do it. We'll get some more setbacks but while we were in the PL it was the spirit of the players that kept us up along with sensible team selection and a little luck, just starts to sound like we may have found it again.

 

A lot less down than have been for a couple of weeks

[Saint Martini]

There was a Saints penalty shout in the second half, was it one or not? Mark Dennis thought it was a better shout then the first one.

 

I'll ask again then.

[Andoverian]

I thought Saga was great today. He ran his socks off and for the second match running was out on his feet when taken off near the end. A standing ovation and very well deserved. He is a credit to himself and the club. The man is really back on song.

[Saint_clark]

I'll ask again then.

 

It looked blatant, but not more than the first one. The first one the guy actually jumped up and punched the ball away - it should have been a red card for deliberate handball.

[Legod Third Coming]

Finally the team has a spine.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My ratings for Saints v Cardiff City - 1-0 home win

 

K Davis 8 - Beyond any criticism today he made 2 top class saves on the half hour , the best keeper in the CCC ?

L James 7 - Finding his feet in the 1st team now he's doing all right without being great TBH .

JPS 7.5 - As important a reinforcement as Saganowski , the big no nonsense defender every side needs .

C Perry 7.5 - He's not quick he's not big , but years of experience and the ability to read the game make him an automatic selection .

R Skacel 7.5 - Good player another good game , outstanding stamina may not his strongest asset though .

S Gillett 7 - Honest lad gives it everything he's got , not brilliant technically but well worth his place .

A Lallana 7 - Classy young player well capable of damaging the opposition when given the space/time to do so .

A Surman 7.5 - I wouldn't say he bosses the midfield but he's not a million miles off that standard , another good game .

DMG 8 - Has taken to his new midfield role like a duck to water , super performance he ran himself into the ground for the team , brave enough to ask for and score the vital penalty - well done David .

M Saganowski 7.5 - No goal today but still easily our most likely scorer - our survival prospects almost certainly rest on his shoulders .

J 'The Mule' Euell -8.5 MOTM - I've been one of his harshest critics but today he was magnificent . You'd never know he's nearing the end of his time here or that he's not really a 'target man' like Stern John - loads of experience & total commitment he was just brilliant today .

 

Substitutes :

M Schneiderlin 6 - Struggled to make much of a impact as Lallana's replacement .

BWP 7 - On for the exhausted DMG he put in a decent effort and looked dangerous at times .

Z Liptak - Late sub .

 

Conclusion :

The more I see of the game the more convinced I am that at heart football is a simple game , the difficulty is finding people smart enough to realise its inherent simplicity and not to over complicate things .

In Mark Wotte we may have found a coach clever enough to get the basics right - play your best players in a straight forward formation , get them to play as a team and surprise surprise you start to look like a decent outfit . Make no mistake we were good value for the 3 points today against a good CCFC side that may well make the play-offs .

Wotte's been lucky to have players like Saga and JPS available that his predecessor didn't but I see no good reason to deny him the credit for the teams obvious improvement . Let's hope it's not all too late but at least we have a 'Puncher's Chance' of staying up now - and I never thought I'd be saying that 2 weels ago .

 

Comedy Moments - The Steward who told a fan not to take a photo of the pitch during half time - "because the camera has a lens" + Cardiff's Greek goalkeeper with a name so long it hardly fitted on his shirt !

Edited 28 February, 2009 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[SNSUN]

What is your major malfunction ??

 

It was my phone's major malfunction. Didn't mean to post that 3 times!

[Norm]

I have another sore throat this evening! Screaming for the whistle after 80 mins. Great fight from the team!!

 

Really nice touch at the end, the huddle. Well done Saints.

[Stanley Saint]

Agree with many on here - it was a fantastic team display and I don't think anyone was off their game today.

 

Also - it was the best atmosphere I've seen at SMS for a long time. I missed last week (typically) but today must have been a real continuation from that. There was a period at the start of the second half when Cardiff suddenly looked much more up for it, and we were starting to have to soak up pressure, but the Northam got the rest of the ground going with the 'red and white' clapping thing, and it really seemed to lift the players. Suddenly we were on top again, causing them problems. Feels like it's been a long time since the crowd have had such a positive impact. Amazing what one win can do...

[Wes Tender]

Come back Wes.

 

You would have been proud of the teams fight for 95 minutes, to see the Manager swerling his jacket round his head at the final whistle, the players in a huddle at the end with the Manager before leaving the field, the Northam and Itchen singing positively throughout and and Woggy was back in the technical area at the end of the game.

 

Financially we are still very much in the mire and it is still touch and go so your money is needed. Not for Lowe and Wilde but for Wotte and the team.

 

Feeling very positive tonight.

 

I was thinking along those lines myself, Weston. I am a true fan and I must say that it has hurt me listening to those matches on the radio and not being there. The main reason for boycotting has not gone away, but everything that Lowe stood for in his mad experiment has been ditched and I believe that he has egg all over his face. Naturally I still want Lowe and the Quisling gone because of it, but I think that Wotte and this team do deserve support for the way that they have played these past two matches in particular. Of course it seemed that as effectively Wotte was Poortvliet's subordinate, that there was nothing to gain from promoting him on Poortvliet's departure as he was almost guilty by association, but apart from some unfortunate PR, Wotte does seem to be going about things the right way.

 

Let me just mention one small thing as an indication. I used to like the team huddle just before kick-off. Poortvliet dropped it and I took it as a negative. I'm presuming that Wotte has continued it these past couple of games, as I recall him doing it for those last home games I did attend and I was happy to see that they did it in front of the crowd at the final whistle. It speaks to me of camaraderie and esprit de corps; team spirit. But as they said on both Solent and Radio Hampshire, Wotte has achieved an improving team because he has a decent blend of youth and experience, two strikers up front and has decided on a decent team and is sticking with it, so that an understanding will grow between them as they develop together.

 

But these are things that most of us recognised were desirable in a successful team, but which were ignored by Lowe. Had the message sunk into his obstinate, pig-headed cranium much earlier, we could have been in the mid table comfort zone by now, almost assuredly with Nigel Pearson and on more recent evidence quite possibly with Wotte.

 

What is proven fairly conclusively this season is that the maxim that you don't win anything with kids has been a lesson that could have got us relegated had we stuck with it. Thank God that we couldn't get Scacel and Euell off the wage bill because there were no takers. Thank God that they are not rotting in the reserves and that we decided that as they are here and ours, we might as well play them. Thank God that Perry has escaped injury and is a real professional with top level experience and has proved to be forming a solid partnership with Saeijs, who looks a decent buy. But most of all, thank God we perseved with Kelvin Davis, who is almost certainly the best keeper in this division having made every doubter of his ability eat their words.

 

If the improbable happens and Wotte keeps us up, it won't be possible for Lowe to claim credit, as although Wotte was his man, he was effectively the second in command behind Jan nice but dim and success is coming not from Dutch total football, but tried and tested methods that have proven to be effective in British football at this level.