In normal circumstances it would be a great return to get four points from two away games in a week. If you can’t win a game then don’t lose. Yet why do I feel deflated? Why do I feel less and less excited to watch my beloved Saints?
Tuesday night away at Sheffield United and three points in the bag. Stewart was immense and suddenly looked like the forward we have all been crying out for. A wonder strike topped off a great game for him and yet without a Referee disallowing a late equaliser it could have been another game of nearly but not yet. The comedy of them scoring a goal, smashing the corner flag and then getting no goal and a yellow card was a wonderful moment. Papered over the cracks of only just beating a club that can’t buy a win.
So it was off to Derby County. A side struggling with the gap from League One to the Championship and having their own issues with results. Surely this should be a banker? Saints came out of the blocks and thanks to some Key Stone Cops defending, Arma dribbled through like a clone of Messi and Ronaldo and slotted home. 1-0 here we go. Then instantly the side withdrew and suddenly came under the cosh from the width of the Derby team. Chances were still being created though and Stewart’s header was just what we needed from a centre forward. Hang on… “Has he just grabbed his hamstring”?, “Tell me he has not got injured again”? And “Oh for…. At least we have Archer on the bench”. Then on comes Fellows and Arma goes to number 9 a position he has pretty much proven he can’t thrive in. At that point our focus up front became non-existent. Don’t even get me started on the throw-in or Manning switching off. They score. De Ja Vu.
It was clear something had to change as nothing was really happening between midfield and attack and on 60 minutes Will Still reacted. It wasn’t just me who raised an eyebrow when Scienza who was playing superbly was taken off for Damion Downs. Archer is still getting a numb backside on the bench. I am not one for slating players but frankly Downs does not look League 2 class let alone Championship. No one deserves hatred and opinions can go too far but if Stewart is out for a while, we are in trouble if relying on that chap.
So four points in a week and I actually question if I enjoy watching the Saints anymore. 4 wins in what? 45 games? A money ball approach to team building and endless games of “it is coming” rather than “here it is” takes its toll on the supporter. Hard not to get disillusioned and although I cannot stand those that walk out at 80 minutes, I am struggling to justify having a go at them. International break now. I can get on with being disappointed by England instead for a couple of weeks.
