Saints’ Lambert boost

Tuesday, 15/02/2011

by Chris Rann, Shoot's Southampton blogger

It was a case of two games that couldn’t have been much different over the last week!

First Saints travelled to London Road to take on Peterborough United, there had been eight goals in the Posh’s previous game and they had carved out a reputation as being a team that conceded a lot of goals, but also scored them.

It was no different for Saints, as yet again, eight goals graced the same stadium! Saints will certainly look upon it as two points dropped as they twice lost two goal leads to draw 4-4.
 
Both sides were given two penalties, one each of which weren’t penalties in my opinion, but that is by the by for a game that would have been a thing of beauty for the neutral, but a frustrating experience for fans of the two clubs involved.
 
Then came the complete opposite down at St. Mary’s on Saturday. Saints beat a resolute Carlisle United 1-0 in what was a pretty dull and ugly affair.
 
The game however did see a landmark passed. Rickie Lambert notched his 50th goal for Saints, in what is remarkably quick time, the fifth-quickest in the club’s history in fact. This from a striker, who is said to be having a poor season, yet sits just two goals away from the league's top scorer with plenty of games to go.
 
The match also marked the return of Adam Lallana at half-time, which gives everybody at the club a massive boost. Keeping the key men fit will now be key as the promotion race remains as tight as ever.
 
Saints travel to Rochdale on Saturday, in yet another League One game that cannot be taken lightly. The Dale under manager Keith Hill have surpassed people’s expectations of them this season and will be looking for maximum points from us at Spotland after turning us over 0-2 at St. Mary’s earlier in the season.

Our away form at small grounds like this has improved since Nigel Adkins took over, and this will be followed by another tough trip to Hartlepool on the Tuesday night. Six points is a big ask, but could be crucial at this stage.
 

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