HE was unable to say a
word to the press, but
Nigel Pearson did not
need to.
His squad selection was wonderfully
candid, banishing any
remaining sign of complacency at
St Mary's before a ball was kicked
against Ipswich Town.
The sight of Cedric Baseya on
the substitutes' bench, and of
Mario Licka in the starting line up
for the first time in more than a
year, confirmed that names and
reputations will count for nothing
under Pearson.
With Bradley Wright-Phillips
dropped and Jason Euell sat on an
otherwise youthful Saints bench,
the new manager's message was as
clear as could be.
Screaming tactics above the
noise of the crowd - St Mary's
biggest for four months - prevented
him from discussing his decision
to call-up Baseya, a 20-year-old
French striker in the Paulo
Wanchope-mould.
But actions speak louder than
words. Just ask Wright-Phillips.
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Baseya was handed his Saints
debut in injury-time, but Licka
fully justified his recall.
Having been signed by George
Burley, it is hard to understand
why the Czech was ignored for so
long.
He was seemingly made a scapegoat
for the Carling Cup exit at
Peterborough in August, his last
Saints start, but so far he is the
player to have benefited most from
Pearson's arrival.
If Andrew Surman and Ian
Pearce had not been forced to drop
out through injury on the eve of
the game, Licka would probably
still be waiting for his first
Championship start since January
2007.
But his time has appeared to have
arrived.
The 25-year-old's impressive performances
on the right of midfield
for Stewart Henderson's reserve
side this year have already been
noted by Pearson, as have his
efforts in training.
The message from Pearson is
clear: Ability allied with hard work
and a mature, positive attitude will
be rewarded.
It seemed as though both sides
were still digesting Pearson's team
selection during the first half, such
was the lack of incident.
But it was Licka's cross from his
left-flank berth that created the
best chance of the opening period.
As Marek Saganowski attempted
to connect, the Pole appeared to be
brought down by left-back Dan
Harding on the edge of the sixyard
box.
An animated Pearson protested
from the edge of his technical
area.
The sight of the new manager
shouting himself hoarse was as
encouraging as Saints' second-half
performance.
An injection of passion is just
what was needed after six months
of mid-table mediocrity.
Now a dose of lozenges are
required for Pearson's throat, but
at least he succeeded in transmitting
his message to his players at
half-time.
A point against Ipswich is respectable but, unless they can win at Wolves and Blackpool this week, Saints will need plenty of Dell Spirit at their next two home games. Fellow strugglers Leicester and Coventry are next up at St Mary’s ..
Simon Walter
The second half was always
going to be an improvement on a
woeful first during which neither
keeper was properly tested.
Pearson's half-time rallying call
had the desired effect and the supporters
responded.
Their initial scepticism has been
replaced by a desire to view
Pearson's arrival as one of Saints'
shrewder managerial appointments.
After Kelvin Davis had saved well
from David Norris at the beginning
of the second half, Stern John's 14th Saints goal of the season
prompted them to really play
their part.
The Trinidadian's 51st-minute
strike was worthy of the celebrations.
After controlling Jhon Viafara's
right-flank cross on his chest, the
veteran striker swept the ball into
the top-left corner of Stephen
Bywater's goal from just inside
the Ipswich penalty area.
As a resolute centre-half during
his playing days, the lack of concentration
that followed will not
have pleased Pearson.
Within five minutes, poor Saints
defending allowed David Norris
to venture forward unchallenged
before cutting on to his left foot
and beating Davis at his near
post.
But Saints still had chances to
clinch their first win in eight
matches.
Shortly after replacing
Saganowski, David McGoldrick
nearly restored Saints' lead by
beating his marker to a Viafara
cross at the near post.
And, inexplicably, John put a
free header wide from one of several
high-quality deliveries by
Gregory Vignal.
There were chances at both
ends during a hectic last ten minutes.
After catching Vignal in possession,
Ipswich sub Danny Haynes
failed to capitalise and seconds
later Bywater tipped a 25-yard
Inigo Idiakez drive over the bar.
Idiakez also went close with a
deflected free-kick, while Wayne
Thomas was grateful to Jermaine
Wright after an embarrassing
slip let in Alan Lee.
Andrew Davies was denied by a
determined Ipswich rearguard
after connecting with a loose ball
following a Licka corner.
But Ipswich nearly broke Saints
hearts in injury time when Lee
sent a cross flashing across the
face of Davis's six-yard box when
only the faintest of touches was
needed.
Pearson then decided to rest his
vocal chords, presumably with
tomorrow's Molineux roar in
mind...
Daily Echo Man of the Match: Mario Licka Full of industry and some
quality in his first start for
14 months.
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