On the Cross verdict - Wolves 0 Saints 0

Saints had to make several enforced changes in our line-up with injuries and suspensions really starting to bite.

Captain and Saints talisman Nigel Quashie’s absence was always going to be a major problem for Saints and we sorely missed his leadership, as Oakley and forgotten man Yoann Folly failed to make their mark in central midfield.

After making a series of Premiership starts under Paul Sturrock at 18, Folly’s career stalled almost as dramatically as it started. He failed to make the most of his opportunity against Wolves, although a first start of the season and difficult week on the personal front, will have played their part.

Three games in a week was too much for Michael Svensson meaning a rare start for Darren Kenton and it showed. Interestingly, Rory Delap was retained at right back rather than recalling Tomasz Hajto. Redknapp’s unwillingness to use Hajto suggests that he is being held responsible for the defensive shambles against Leeds when he came on as a central defender.

It would have been logical to play Hajto. Delap would have been a natural choice to return to central midfield to resume his former Premiership partnership with Matthew Oakley.

Hajto could have slotted in once again at right back or central defence, meaning that Redknapp could have avoided having two players making their first start of the season. Clearly Redknapp doesn’t rate Hajto at central defence, as Kenton has been out in the cold since the 5-1 shambles against Tottenham last season.

It was a pity that youngster Matthew Mills has only just returned from injury, as this would have been a great opportunity for him to start after his run out in the reserves earlier in the week. However, with the current state of affairs he is more likely to be starring on loan for one of our league rivals, judging by the likes of Dexter Blackstock and Nathan Dyer.

For a squad supposedly down to the bare bones, why have we extended the loans of two of our most promising players? Nathan Dyer was again the toast of the Burnley fans with another goal and an electrifying performance. His second goal for Burnley actually makes him Saints’ second joint top scorer when Saints are struggling to find the net.

Worse still Saints equal top scorer, Dexter Blackstock, has scored 3 for Derby as we continue to do unreturned favours for our league rivals.

Part of the reason given for Nathan Dyer’s loan was that Burnley have different priorities to Saints. Well, they do. Saints are nearer to relegation than promotion whereas Burnley are up in the play-off positions, their form having turned around since Dyer joined (although I wouldn’t be quite so biased as to put this down entirely to Dyer!). How ironic it would be if they finish above Saints.

Up front once again, Redknapp persisted with picking Brett Ormerod. While manager and fans alike appreciate his endeavour, he continues to waste gilt-edged chances in front of goal. Yes, his enthusiasm creates extra chances, but what is the point if he continues to miss those chances.

On top of this he does not look the best partner for Theo Walcott who has now gone four games without a goal and may well be in need of a rest. While Fuller may be as ineffective in front of goal as Ormerod, he at least looks a better partner for Walcott and can win the flick-ons in the air that Ormerod cannot. In fact, why not try a different partner for Walcott in Kenwyne Jones or Dexter Blackstock, as this problem has been going on for weeks now?

Did we really need to go through this? Why not spare both sets of fans a bitterly cold day out and just award the inevitable point apiece?

Yes, both sides had good chances to score with Saints wasting three one-on-ones and Wolves denied thanks to the wonderful reactions of Niemi in saving a Ndah header and two good shouts for a penalty. But in the end a draw was a fair result in a poor game overall.

At St. Mary’s, Wolves looked the best side I have seen so far and in theory a point away to them would have been a good result. However, this is not taking into consideration another depressing week in the life of Saints with points thrown away against Leeds and Hull.

The league is now starting to stretch out and Saints in 12th are falling behind, although we are still just four points away from our friends Burnley in 6th. However, with another week of speculation about the manager and yet more dropped points, there is no sign of the turnaround in form to change things.

Even the wonderful talent that is Theo Walcott has gone a little off the boil and Saints could do worse than to throw the similar pace and enthusiasm of Nathan Dyer into the mix, if only to give the Saints fans some of the joy he has been providing up in Burnley. What a sight it would be to see Dyer and Walcott in the same side.

However, as the manager keeps telling us, he knows best, and it will take all of his experience and the rediscovery of some of his old enthusiasm to turn this one around.

Man of the match: How fortunate are we to have held onto Niemi? His save from Ndah once again showed his undoubted Premiership class.

Thorn in the side: Jolean Lescott - he was quality at St. Mary's, quality again today. Just how long can Wolves keep hold of him?

Lemon of the day: Clean through, Walcott alongside waiting for a tap in, did we really expect Brett Ormerod to score?