Southampton 2 v City 0 – 30/12/06
After a pleasant trek to the south coast in glorious sunshine, within minutes of parking, the heavens opened and a deluge of rain hit us. There was a pitch inspection arranged for 3.30 and Saints staff made huge efforts with rollers, forks etc to have the pitch playable.
What followed could not in any terms be called a game! Leicester were so poor it was difficult to believe that this was the same side that had collected 10 points out of the last 12. Virtually every player had difficulty controlling a ball and getting it down. With a heavy pitch one would have thought that controlling a ball would be easier, in fact Southampton had no difficulty in that respect, they were also able to pass to a team mate, whereas City often gave the ball away.
The game started at 3.45 and it soon became clear the Saints had come to terms with the conditions, the Foxes hadn’t. The City defence came under constant pressure, with Williams winning tackles and clearing his lines. With Tiatto and Hughes also helping out a beleaguered defence, the ball was constantly hoofed up field. Unfortunately neither Hume nor Hammond were able to control the ball so it was coming straight back into the City half.
After 10 minutes Johansson slid in to intercept a ball meant for Ostlund on the Saints right. Nissa missed the ball by a whisker and carried on sliding away from the action whilst a delighted Ostlund advanced 10 yards, looked up and crossed an inch perfect ball to the head of an unmarked Pele who nodded past Henderson to put the Saints one up…..
For the next 20 minutes it was all Southampton and it was amazing they didn’t add to their score. With the midfield battling really hard Hume was put through on a couple of occasions just to be let down by a woeful first touch. Tiatto and Dyer collided in a challenge for a 50/50 ball with the Saints player staying down and the Aussie looking at him with concern. Dyer was replaced by Prutton and this seemed to affect the Saints, as City had their best spell and forced a couple of corners. In fact as the half time whistle blew City were camped in the Saints half, but were unable to generate one attempt on goal.
The second half started in the same way as the first, with City pegged in their own half. Bradley Wright-Phillips wriggled his way past a couple of challenges and crossed for Prutton, at the far post, to lash in a volley. Henderson somehow kept that attempt out but the rebound off Henderson went straight back at Prutton, who was still in midair follow through, and ricocheted off his shins past a despairing Henderson. Although a fluke, it was no more than the Saints deserved for their dominance.
Southampton were not content to sit on a two goal lead and City were constantly pushed back. Henderson performed miracles in goal and saved three goal bound efforts that would have beaten most keepers. Rob Kelly brought on Fryatt for Tiatto, Stearman for Johansson and McCarthy for Hume, however it made very little difference to the state of the game.
Williams had a long range shot just skid past a post after 65 minutes. This was City’s first attempt on goal!!! Shortly after Fryatt wriggled free on the edge of the box and instead of shooting, tried to square the ball to the onrushing Porter only to see three defenders lining up to clear. With McCauley playing as target man and winning his fair share of the aerial balls, City were at last making a game of it. Fryatt had another opportunity as he created space for himself on City’s right, his shot beat the keeper but, unfortunately rolled past the far post. Then it was backs to the wall stuff until the ref called a merciful halt to a dismal display.
If we play as poorly against Sunderland in our next game we will be on the end of another tonking. Rob Kelly and his staff have work to do before then.
Saints Ground Staff Saving the Game – City Fans Wished They Hadn’t
Teams Southampton: Davis, Ostlund, Baird, Lundekvam, Bale, Dyer (Prutton 39), Wright, Pele, Skacel, (Viafara 86), Wright-Phillips, Rasiak (McGoldrick 90). Subs not used Bialkowski, Licka.
Leicester: Henderson, Maybury, McCauley, Kisnorbo, Johansson (Stearman 60), Hughes, Williams, Tiatto (Fryatt 56), Porter, Hume (McCarthy 75), Hammond. Subs not used Logan, Wesolowski.
Referee P. Crossley Attendance: 24,447
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation