On the Cross verdict – Preston 1 Saints 1

The real excitement about the Saints squad was the combined appearances of Michael Svensson and Marian Pahars, with Pahars having got through his 20 minutes at Reading without getting injured! Claus Lundekvam was ruled out through a stomach injury meaning that Michael Svensson went straight into the side for his first appearance in eighteen months.

The week’s sharpness training had clearly done the trick as the Swede looked like he had barely been away with a series of towering headers and well timed interceptions. Alongside Darren Powell that made a formidable central defence that is strong in the air and in the tackle. Unfortunately, with Darren Powell facing a three match ban for an alleged punch thrown against Reading and Claus Lunkdevam likely to be out for a month, Svensson will have no chance to be eased back into the side.

This looks likely to create a major opportunity for one of Saints’ England under-U19 defenders Martin Cranie or Matthew Mills. Given that Cranie has been in nearly every squad this season, it is likely that Hajto will move to central defence with Cranie appearing at right back.

The rest of Saints’ line-up was unchanged, apart from another reshuffle in attack with Ormerod coming in for Jones as Harry sought the answer to our misfiring attack.

Given our problems in front of goal it was once again strange to see Kosowski giving way to Pahars on the left wing, when surely Kosowski is the kind of player who will create the kind of chances that Marian can finish off. Someone needs to remind the coaching staff that Pahars is actually a striker and was Saints' top scorer when fit.

Oakley was not having one of his best games out of position on the right hand side of midfield so if you are going to bring Marian on in midfield then surely it was logical to play him on the right hand side.

Niemi, Hajto, Svensson, Powell, Higginbotham
Oakley, Wise, Quashie, Kosowski (Pahars, 63)
Ormerod (Jones, 77), Fuller,
Substitutes: Cranie, Delap, Smith.

At least Saints have the good grace the vary the draws. From a dull 0-0 against Plymouth, to an exciting 0-0 against Reading Saints seem to have an endless variety of draws at their fingertips! And indeed Saints can now vary the draws within a game itself, having been dominant while in reality creating few chances in the first half, they decided to let Preston have a go in the second.

Indeed Saints may have been so surprised to score that they reverted to the tactics of last season in defending too deep and not having the belief to kill the game off. Having said for weeks that Saints needed a bit of luck in front of goal, they got exactly that with Darren Powell’s shot from the edge of the box taking a wicked deflection. Far from proving the release that Saints needed to bag a hatful, Saints sat back and Preston fought their way back into the game.

For once Saints began to lose the battle in midfield with Preston the only side this season apart from Luton to really get at us and cause us problems. Saints ran out of ideas and the equalising goal seemed to be only a matter of time. In the end it was a wonderful strike from thorn in the side Agyemang who pinged it into the top right hand corner from just inside the box.

As both sides looked for the winning goal, it was a case of keeping up with the Jones’ as Saints’ Kenwyne and Preston’s Matthew both shot narrowly wide. It took until the final minutes of the game for Saints to shake off their slumber and wrestle back control of the game, but unfortunately by then it was too late and Saints had to settle for a draw.

Saints run of draws and inability to kill sides off when on top, is becoming a real weight around our necks. As with last season’s run of poor results, there is only so many times that you can call it being unlucky and this inevitably starts to affect the confidence of the side. Yes, Saints have missed playmaker Belmadi’s influence on the game, but we still have a strong enough squad to do much better.

Saints now have the two week international break to get their house in order in front of goal. A battling win against Preston would have been the perfect springboard to fight our way back up the league. Fortunately, we are still in seventh and there are a full 34 games still to go. Sheffield United’s defeat to Reading could have been an ideal opportunity to claw some points back on the leaders, but if our run of draws continues then we will be fighting to stay in touch with the play-off positions, when with more ability in front of goal we should realistically have been vying with Reading for second place.

Man of the match: A great return from Michael Svensson timed to perfection with the likely absences of Lundekvam and Powell. Two more week’s training during the international break with only help his return to fitness.

Lemon of the day: A poor performance from Ricardo Fuller on his return to the club that made him. After a series of improving displays, this was a return to the bad old days when he looked unfit and off the pace.

Cameo of the day: Two games in a row from Marian Pahars! Despite playing on the left of midfield instead of up front where his eye for goal was needed, he at least tried to make things happen. Let’s hope he’s fit enough to start up front against Hull.