Nigel Adkins Senses Return To Form

Though behind at Half-time Nigel had seen Saints gradually getting a hold on the match. After slipping behind it had looked likely that this was about to become three defeats on the trot, but slowly the team recovered and at the break the match seemed much more evenly poised.

Nigel told Saints Player, ‘We went behind in the first half and in the first 35 minutes it was pretty evens stevens, they probably got a bit too much possession of the ball because they played one up front and tried to keep the ball.’

‘In the second half we have passed the ball really well and I thought there was a good tempo about us and we were on the front foot. We played some really good football and created some good chances.’

He also bemoaned the fact of two failed penalty appeals. He said that he thought the Lambert appeal in the first half was a definite penalty.

He also thought that an Adam Lallana appeal was a definite penalty as well. Two missed claims but overall satisfied that the form was returning seemed to be his understanding of the game.

He thought Puncheon had a good game which was the feeling amongst the fans as shown by the round of applause he received when he was subbed with Tadanari Lee on the hour mark. He was also pleased with our new Japanese striker’s showing saying that Lee showed good control and nearly scored.

With Fonte coming back and others almost ready to return it looks as though we are close to getting the bus back on route.