Saints smiling

Friday, 23/09/2011

by Chris Rann, Shoot's Southampton blogger

Saints bounced back from their unlucky defeat at Leicester with convincing home wins over Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.

The Forest game proved to be tougher than perhaps expected, with Ishmael Miller proving to be a big threat. Strangely, just as Forest looked to be taking control Steve McLaren removed Miller and Saints were able to see out the game for a 3-2 victory, despite Matt Derbyshire’s best efforts to con the referee.

Rickie Lambert grabbed a hat trick to show the doubters that he is having no issue adapting to the higher level.

League Cup holders Birmingham visited St. Mary’s next and received even more emphatic treatment than Forest. The away side struggled to keep their discipline, as Jack Cork, Adam Lallana, Guly and Steve de Ridder turned them inside out.

Saints raced into a 3-0 lead by half time, and looked extremely comfortable against the recent Premier League side. After the break, Birmingham look rejuvenated and pulled one back. It looked like they might get right back into it, but an inspired substitution from Nigel Adkins saw the ever tenacious Richard Chaplow introduced for Saints.

The follically challenged midfielder immediately got a grip on the game, and Saints were back in control. In fact it was Chaplow himself who sealed the victory with the fourth goal. Saints headed to the top of the Championship!

Faced with a League Cup tie in midweek, Nigel Adkins can be forgiven for resting ten of the starters against Preston, only ever improving centre half Jos Hooiveld was present for kick off, and youngster Ben Reeves got a full debut.

The depth of the squad showed it’s self for what it is, as the League One side were despatched with far more ease than the 2-1 score line suggests. Big Dutchman Hooiveld opened his Saints account for the lead before Adam Lallana came of the bench scored the winner.

Saints head to Turf Moor tomorrow to face a Burnley side struggling for form. The Clarets have been inconsistent in the opening games of the season, and are yet to win a home league game. Saints will be mindful of the Burnley strikers though, old nemesis Charlie Austin and summer target Jay Rodriguez will be looking to do the damage.

Keep the Faith!

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