After an incredible second half against Huddersfield, Southampton turned an embarrassing 0-2 at half time into an astonishing 5-3 victory. With an incredible display of mental strength and grit, the saints proved exactly how far they had come from the side who were relegated from the premier league, the refreshed attitudes and renewed sense of willpower the players had. The same cannot be said for last night’s clash with Bristol City.
The Saints started slow, and a lineup that should have oozed dynamism came across lethargic and lack-luster. With the absence of Flynn Downes (through injury), there was a painful isolation between each phase of the team, no connection from defence to midfield, nor midfield to attack. With Smallbone anchoring defensively and Shea Charles under-performing (with misplaced passes and an uncharacteristic weakness both on and off the ball) new loanee Joe Rothwell sat alone as the spine in the middle of the pitch, utterly overloaded. Other than a fleeting opportunity where Edozie grazed the crossbar with an attempt at goal, Southampton posed no threat and a goal for the Robins felt immanent. The Saints were lucky to go in level at half time, City being by far the better side.
Moving into the second half, communication was lacking, and Southampton were wasteful with the time they spent holding possession. This complacency on the ball combined with Bristol’s intense and relentless high press caused nothing but havoc for the travelling side who were eventually unable to cope, the first goal coming from Sam Bell who had shone in the front line.
Despite substitutions and revamping the attack, nothing changed for Russell Martin’s side, and many who played the full game (most notably Ryan Manning down the left) faded out badly. Overall, it was a performance to forget for the saints and while their run of 25 undefeated comes to an end, it remains a run of form to celebrate. Today wasn’t good enough, but you have to applaud Bristol City who well and truly showed up and exploited us in every way possible.
While this is the end of a truly exceptional run of form, it isn’t the end of the world.
With a game in hand on promotion rivals Leeds, providing a reaction and response occurs on Friday, things still look bright for the south-coast side. There needs to be an increased hunger for possession again, and a spark somewhere in that front 3 that catalyses an opportunity. We need to rest, reflect and rebuild as we take on West Bromwich Albion at the end of what has been a packed week.
In many ways it is almost better that we take this knock now and have the opportunity to regain composure, than it happens in a few games time when we play the likes of Ipswich, Leicester and Leeds.
We can be disappointed with last night however we must remain proportional with our criticism. This is a side that has been on top of the world since September, so the blip was always going to happen – we will (undoubtedly) march on.
Poppy Deabill