Even putting the two 1-0 defeats aside, that is now seven home matches against Forest in the Premier League without a win. Some of the criticism that comes Southampton’s way now will likely be overboard and reactionary but they will have to take it on the chin. For all that has been said, I do think it’s key to keep some faith. It’s two games into a 38-game season and you don’t know yet, even if you think it’s bleak. Playing at home for the first time on their return to the top flight against another team likely to be in the bottom half, Saints must show intent. They instead slumped to defeat against Forest and did little to inspire the new ‘Northam Wall’ into action – until an 18 year old lad came on, anyway.
Russell Martin said “There was a lot of tension in the team and Forest started well. We turned the ball over too much which meant there was tension in the stadium, we made a couple of moments that we didn’t make the most of but I think it was out of eagerness to make things happen. The minute we got into their final third we just turned it over and against Forest, it’s the worst thing you can do. It’s frustrating because we spoke about it all week.”
Saints looked like they were crying out for someone to break through the middle and Martin suggested they may tweak something next week.
Russell Martin said: ” They both had chances inside the box at Newcastle. It’s the same shape we won the play-offs with and it makes us fairly solid. It’s utilising the players that we have at the minute in the best way. I’ve learned a lot about that in the last two games and what we need to tweak. But we’ll see it again and we might not. It’s not the reason we lose.”
Saints are not a million miles off. Although it was hard to see where from, a couple of goals in the first two would have changed the complexion completely. Cameron Archer has had a couple of chances at goal during his substitute appearances (Image: Stuart Martin) They missed a big opportunity to give their fans belief with either a sharp home performance or a result, which he put down to a “rubbish” goal conceded. But there are 36 matches to go and new signings Mateus Fernandes and Charlie Taylor made an impact from the bench, while Cameron Archer is finding his feet. Academy product Dibling is making a case for more opportunities, attempting more dribbles and duels per minute than any other Saints player. While Martin recognises his side “needs some help” in the final third, the boss was vague about what form that comes in – a wide player or a number nine? They look like they need a Dusan Tadic-type maverick. A player who, while the structure and organisation keeps them in games , can put another team out of it. Nobody really felt that something special might happen in the closing stages. A curling goal from long range or a pinpoint cross to the back-post. Are they going to be able to get that on their budget? It might be the difference. Oh, and is it time to switch the phones off to any Walker-Peters bid?
