Pahars leaves something in Reserves

The Latvian wizard's outing was one of the few positives on a miserable night at Staplewood. He had a quiet evening on a rain-soaked pitch with Pahars having his best moment early on, only to miscue his effort just like so many other Saints strikers this season. Understandably, he looked concerned to avoid injury and slowly build his match fitness ahead of the game against Leeds.

Defensive midfielder Yoann Folly had to cover at centre back and looked clearly out of position and the match will have done little to enhance his confidence or belief that the talented Frenchman has a route back to the first team.

The loss continues the poor form of the reserves and indeed just about all Saints teams apart from the Saints first team. Last season Saints reserves and youth teams were flying while the first team stuttered. Again this season they flourished early on while the first team was finding its feet in the Championship.

And now with the first team improving with a run of 7 points out of 9, the reserves loss makes it 5 defeats out of 9, saving their best form for a 4-2 drubbing of neighbours Pompey. Even the all-conquering U18 side haven't won in 3, with draws against Fulham and Norwich and an uncharacteristic loss against West Ham.

With many of the talented youngsters starting to make it through to the first team at Saints and out on loan, it is understandable that there is a drain on resources in other 'feeder' teams at the club. As long as their individual progress and that of the first team continues, long may it continue!