On the Cross verdict – Norwich 3 Saints 1

Injuries and suspensions played their part in a weakened line-up for Saints, but the real talking point was on the bench. Whether you could describe it as boldness or madness, Saints had three strikers on the bench and no defenders.

Perhaps the management thought that Saints would score through sheer weight of numbers up front and given the scoreline maybe they knew something we didn’t and should have had another on the bench, using all three strikers available to them.

Jones and Walcott continued their partnership up front, but even the boy wonder couldn’t work his magic on a day where Saints were second best throughout the field, bar goalkeeper.

After some uncharacteristic dodgy moments against Luton, Antti Niemi reminded us yet again that we have a world-class goalkeeper on our hands. With more performances like this in front of him, we may not come January. Time and time again he saved Saints blushes and is one of the few that can hold his head high.

After his unexplained absence from the squad against Luton, Djamel Belmadi made a welcome return to the line-up and scored the opener after a well created opening by Prutton. The positive contributions from midfield were short-lived with Saints reverting to their old ways and failing to hang onto possession, resorting to long punts down the field.

As expected Cranie came in for the suspended Delap and failed to make his mark as Darren Huckerby gave him a torrid time on the left. After a long absence through injury he may not have been match fit, but he did little to enhance his claims of making the position his own. Likewise Powell and Kenton’s central defensive partnership will hardly have Lundekvam and Svensson fearing for their places.

One step forward, three steps back for Saints, in a game that will have done little for Bassett and Wise’s job applications.

It is difficult to know what to make of another depressing day in the life of a Saints fan. Against Burnley and Luton, Saints played pretty poorly, but at least looked committed. At Carrow Road, they just played poorly and looked a decidedly average side.

Credit should be due to Norwich, who finally showed their end of Premiership form. Some of the comedy defending was reminiscent of the memorable 4-3 last season - Norwich obliged with their goals, but Saints free scoring days look well behind us.

Amid the snow flurries, Dean Ashton must have thought it was Christmas as he was awarded the freedom of the Saints defence to chalk up a hat-trick, having previously gone ten games without scoring.

What happened to the neat passing team earlier in the season? Yes, Quashie’s absence is a huge loss, but there should be more than enough quality in the side to do the basics. We were battering sides and dominating possession and just missing the final touch in front of goal. There were too many draws, but it made for generally positive viewing.

Now we look back to the relegation-bound Premiership team of last season, sitting back when going ahead and resorting to punting aimless balls down field to concede cheap possession. This long season just got longer and we are going nowhere fast.

The return of Quashie cannot come too soon with his suspension now completed, although there is talk of a back injury keeping him out. Saints sorely lack his leadership and drive and Bassett and Wise have some serious work to do to convince fans and Chairman that they can turn it around.

Man of the match: It was the Antti Niemi show as Norwich poured forward in the second half allowing him to show his full repertoire of world-class saves.

Thorn in the side: Having not scored for 10 games, Saints traditional generosity was always going to see Dean Ashton on the scoresheet.

Lemon of the day: Despite his undoubted effort, Kenton has looked like an accident waiting to happen at centre back. It happened.

Cameo of the day: Delia’s pies. Even Norwich’s match catering put us to shame. Rupert Lowe will be fuming and heads will roll.