Match Reports  RSS feed | About

Comment | Read Comments (1)

IF NIGEL Pearson was under any illusions just how tough a job he has taken on at Saints, they will have been dispelled last night.

It wasn't just another defeat, the eighth this season, but the whole atmosphere around St Mary's that would have rung alarm bells.

Alright, few managers ever come in and take over when things are going well.

But they are pretty spectacularly bad at the moment.

The lowest ever league crowd at St Mary's turned out for the game and, rather than a massive high generated when a new manager walks through the door, the action on the pitch dictated the mood was otherwise.

When elements of the crowd chant you're not fit to wear the shirt' at the players and target one of their own to be booed every time he touches the ball, it shows how bad it's got.

In fairness, the crowd for the most part did try to get behind the team but after yet another home defeat of the season you can understand their frustration.

In fairness to Pearson, he was only approached about the job on Sunday so it's certainly not fair to pin this one on him.

But he does have to hit the ground running and make quick assessments of his squad.

He will have learnt a lot about the players on display last night - much of it not good.

The real problem for Pearson is just how he's going to inject some confidence into Saints.

They look totally devoid of any shred of self-belief at the moment.

Perhaps it comes as a result of having played in patches in a few matches and not got results.

But now it's bad results and poor performances, which is even more worrying.

Maybe just a win will do the trick, but Pearson will have to conjure that up as it doesn't look imminent right now.

But everybody must back him and give him all the support he needs to do the job.

The first half against Plymouth was pretty damn awful from a Saints viewpoint but after half-time, and when Pearson had had an input, it did improve a little.

The lack of confidence currently afflicting the players was so obvious in that first 45 as they resorted to what can only be described as a hit and hope style game.

Maybe these are the new tactics, but for what has always been a passing team who are largely devoid of long ball type players it's hard to believe.

Instead it is probably endemic of the problem - players so lacking in confidence they don't want the ball.

The first chance they get it's gone for fear of making a mistake.

For Pearson to get bravery rather than fear will be hard work.

Saints did at least threaten early on, Marek Saganowski slashing wide at the far post from a left wing cross and Andrew Surman's fierce 35-yard effort flashing wide.

But the frailties we have become so accustomed to seeing came out again when Plymouth took the lead on 31 minutes.

Surman gave the ball away and Lilian Nalis quickly spotted an opening and played in Peter Halmosi.

From inside the area on the left hand side, he fired a shot that flew high past Kelvin Davis and into the net.



Halmosi fired into the side netting a minute later before Plymouth doubled their lead on 33 minutes.

This time the referee played an advantage after Nadjim Abdou had been fouled just inside the Saints half.

Plymouth worked the ball out to Jim Paterson on the right who cut back onto his left foot and curled a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

It was almost game over four minutes later when Jermaine Easter got in one-on-one but Davis was out quickly to save.

Saints managed a first shot on target two minutes before halftime when Stern John's control and volley on the turn went straight to the keeper.

After the break Saints switched to a 4-4-2 with Adam Hammill coming on.

It could have been different had Wayne Thomas not blazed overwhen presented with a good chance from a corner.

Saganowski and John both missed the target with half chances while Jhon Viafara put a header from a corner straight at Luke McCormick.

Plymouth were content they had done enough and spent the second half containing rather than attacking.

The nearest they came was Steve MacLean's effort turned wide by Davis while sub Jamie Mackie also fired wide late on.

Pearson will now know what he needs to do... and will know it needs to be done very, very soon.

Daily Echo Man of the Match: Gregory Vignal
Added balance to the side as a natural left back and was a decent comeback after a while out through injury.

3:42pm Wednesday 20th February 2008

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login