On the Cross verdict – Saints 1 Norwich 0

Saints fans again witnessed some indifferent refereeing in the Championship and were perhaps fortunate to gain a penalty out of the blue when Norwich defender Fleming handled in the box after good work by Jones.

Quashie resolved the mystery of who would be our penalty taker this season, but promptly had his penalty expertly saved by Robert Green. Much to the crowd’s delight he was allowed to retake the penalty after a Norwich player encroached in the area. He kept his composure and buried the penalty giving Green no chance.

Norwich were unlucky not to equalise hitting the bar and provoking several goal mouth scrambles, but Saints held on and just about deserved the win.

Harry again kept faith with the winning team from Sheffield Wednesday, with only Fuller coming in for Blackstock after his return from a thigh injury.

Niemi
Hajto Powell Lundekvam (Cranie, 53) Higginbotham
Prutton, Oakley, Quashie, Belmadi
Fuller (Blackstock, 76), Jones (Walcott, 70).
Subs: Smith, Wise

The players are clearly starting to get used to playing with each other and, despite featuring the now obligatory four centre halves and four central midfielders, kept a decent balance to the side.

The defence looked well organised and put in a series of last ditch tackles and headers with Powell and Hajto impressing. There were some traditional moments of panic in the Saints box, but with Niemi his usual impressive self and thanks to some less than Premiership quality finishing, Saints managed to hold on for the win.

Even Claus Lundekvam looked back to his old self with some well timed interceptions and towering headers! His departure through injury allowed England U19 captain Martin Cranie his first taste of action this season. After some nervous early moments, he grew in stature during the game, with one notable tackle on the dangerous Darren Huckerby drawing a huge cheer from the crowd.

The midfield showed they are developing a good understanding with some sweet passing moves. This made it all the more strange that they went missing for long periods in both the first and second half allowing Norwich back into the game when Saints should have been going for the kill. If Saints are going to do well this season, we simply have to learn how to kill off sides when on top.

Only Prutton failed to convince, despite his usual endeavour, fluffing a good chance early on and not making the most of several promising positions.

Someone needs to introduce Fuller to Kenwyne Jones, as Saints lacked the cutting edge that their approach play deserved. For his size, Fuller was all too easily muscled off the ball and needs to do more to win the ball to show off his undoubted skill with it at his feet.

Jones again worked hard and it is encouraging to see him improve game by game. He can feel hard done by to have been substituted instead of Fuller, as Harry showed faith with the man he first signed at Portsmouth, much to the crowd's annoyance.

Theo Walcott once more thrilled the crowd with his pace, although it was not his most effective display for Saints as he was guilty of giving the ball away too often. To be fair, this was largely thanks to some crude hacks by the Norwich defenders, again missed by the referee. Make no mistake though, this kid is going to be some player, with the crowd summing it up nicely when they sang: “And we’ve still got Theo on the bench”.

Dexter Blackstock came on towards the end and showed the great strides he has made physically since last season with some impressive hold up play as a lone centre forward.

With the contributions of Theo Walcott, Kenwyne Jones, Dexter Blackstock and Martin Cranie, we can say that the future’s bright, the future’s Red and White.

Can that really be our third clean sheet and a win against the Championship favourites? Saints rode their luck at times, but should be congratulated for trying the pass the ball. Clearly Harry’s desire to play passing football is having an effect. You have to wonder why Saints failed to do so in the Premiership with largely the same personnel.

I have to say that today was the first time in a long time that I can genuinely say that I enjoyed watching Saints pass the ball around, rather than sitting there praying for the right result against the evidence of my eyes.

At times it was like watching Brazil, at times it was like watching Barnsley, but three points on a wonderful summer day feels great.

Man of the match: It’s a while since I’ve been able to give this to a Saints defender, but John Terry’s evil twin Hajto was a tower of strength at the back, particularly when switched to central defence after Claus went off injured. He will also have delighted the watching Sir Clive Woodward with some huge up and unders.

Lemon of the day: Saints fans will be hoping Ricardo Fuller is still to gain match fitness after another lightweight display. Surely there is more to come from the man who was so impressive at Preston.

Cameo of the day: Someone has clearly been feeding Dexter Blackstock some major roast dinners. Last season he was often bullied off the ball, but today he put in an aggressive display of how to play the lone centre forward role.