In their first home game of the season, Southampton gifted the crowd with one of the most exciting performances in recent years. There were thrills and spills, moments of immense joy and moments of intense frustration, but more than anything there was an atmosphere and buzz around St Marys that managed to light up what has become renowned as a graveyard stadium.
After the lows of last season, this 2023/24 campaign has already given fans an elevated attitude towards play – spectators are once again prepared to invest their energy into propelling the squad forward, they stick with the players when play moves backwards, and they’re patient when build up isn’t perhaps as aggressive as they would like. This is perhaps an even greater transformation than the one we’ve seen on the pitch. Every tackle, every clearance, every run is celebrated as a goal. The club and it’s fanbase feel revitalised and reunited.
Of all the games where the players needed the support, this thriller against Norwich was definitely one of them. Conceding in the initial 10 minutes was never ideal, but the response was imminent with the players taking over possession as they did against Wednesday, and grafting towards a 17th minute equaliser from Bednarek. I have never been the biggest Jan fan out there – however he took his opportunity with admirable composure.
The saints then looked to extend their lead after being awarded a penalty less than 5 minutes later. Adam Armstrong stepped up to the spot and fans waited with bated breath, unsure what to expect from the striker who was prolific last time he was in the championship but has since struggled to find his rhythm in the Premier league. Adam finished his penalty beautifully, darting it into goal past ex-saint Angus Gunn, who failed to appear convincing between the sticks throughout the game.
Unfortunately for the team in red and white, the lead was short lived as at the 23 minute mark Sara came in with an equaliser, a clean shot from the left side of the box into the top right corner. The canaries retook the lead making it 2-3 in the second minute of extra time, leaving them ahead despite another display of clever and dominant football from Southampton. Jonathan Rowe buried his header, unmarked, as the corner came in. Of all the goals in the first half, this is probably the most infuriating from a Southampton point of view. After conceding two poor set piece goals midweek against League Two side Gillingham in an ugly defeat in the Carabao Cup, this added to the tally of set pieces that the players have failed to defend.
The inability to handle set pieces is the most alarming red flag of this saints side at present, and an issue that needs to be resolved promptly if the team wishes to be in contention for promotion this season. There is a sense of dread the minute a corner is awarded, that a goal feels imminent. Russell Martin’s previous Swansea side scored the 4th highest amount of goals last season, but as he reiterated in an interview with Adam Blackmore, conceded “too many”. It is a growing concern that Southampton could suffer a similar issue.
While there were goals scored by Norwich today that little could have stopped, there was also far too many opportunities awarded by poor defence. Of the 5 shots they had on target, they were allowed to score 4, echoing the way Wednesday scored their one shot on target in the saint’s last Championship fixture. This is a stat that has to be changed, either with rotation in the squad, or maybe some fresh players brought into that back line.
Going into the second half Che Adams replaced Stuart Armstrong. Despite having a great half, it was when Stu left the pitch was that Charly Alcaraz seemed to come alive. It appeared as though the applauded Argentinian and the skillful Scotsman had been getting under each others feet, both trying to play the same role within midfield and the front line. The high line of play from them both also exposed our midfield, with both of them failing to track back. We looked far more threatening with Che next to Adam and Charly pulling his weight just behind them. This newfound threat quickly reaped rewards with Che Adams scoring an equaliser to make it 3 a piece.
Unfortunately vital player Will Smallbone went down injured and received treatment off the pitch, leaving the saints with 10 men for a few nervy minutes. It had never been more essential to not conceed… And sadly the saints did just that. Norwich ran through midfield with no Smallbone to stop them, and after a blunderous moment from Ryan Manning (who up until now had once again impressed) scored their fourth, with a shot from Christian Fassnacht driving past Gavin Bazunu.
Many, including myself, thought it was game over, however in the dying minutes of added time the saints were awarded another penalty. Yet again, Adam Armstrong stepped up to take it. For so long he has lacked confidence, but he took the penalty with utter certainty and once again soared it past Angus Gunn, bringing the game to deadlock once again.
As the final whistle blew, there were cheers of pride at the grit and promise shown today by both sides, however the truth of Southampton’s poor defence did linger throughout the home fans. It’s very rare that a game can leave you so excited for the future, and so aggrivated by an ongoing but detrimental issue at the same time, however this 4-4 performance was definitely one that did just that.
You cannot hide from the fact that the defensive display was at times utterly inexcusable, however you have to also be honest and take a step back and acknowledge that most of the Norwich goals came from some beautifully played transition football on their part. Changes do need to be made, however in terms of teams that will efficiently convert counter attacks into goals… few will top Norwich at that.
In regard to our attack, we pressed and played well, once again showing all the benefits of Martin’s “possession play” plan.
Overall, this game was a positive one on the journey of Southampton Football club in my opinion. There is a great sense of “better things will be coming” and that is something that the club has been without for far too long. I would still like to see a defender and central midfielder come in before the end of the transfer window, and it feels at least one of these is likely to happen with the seemingly certain move of Flynn Downes from West Ham to the South Coast. Today was a real test, but one we largely stepped up to.
Onto Plymouth now, we march on.
Poppy Deabill (@pdeabill_football)