Saints 1 Birmingham City 2

Right now, that is the one department in which Saints are lacking.

There was at least a hint of that problem against Cardiff but it was screaming out loud and clear at St Mary's on Saturday.

You don't want to be too critical because all those that have been to see Saints in their first few games of the season will know there is a lot to be positive about.

Some of the attacking, passing football they are playing is a joy to watch.

The way in which the young players are clearly such a tight unit, playing with such pride and desire not only for themselves but each other and the team is quite uplifting after recent years, But the cruel reality of football is that it's a result business and, if they are not coming, then questions will be asked.

You have the feeling that Jan Poortvliet is quietly confident his squad will be able to answer them, and he will himself.

The difference between Saints and Birmingham was perfectly illustrated by the way in which the respective bosses influenced the game.

Blues boss Alex McLeish, already with a strong side on the pitch, was able to throw on Cameron Jerome, Marcus Bent and Kevin Phillips to chase the win.

Poortvliet had only one player of any attacking note on his bench - and that was the inexperienced Jake Thomson.

You don't expect Saints to be able to compete with Birmingham in terms of the quality of their subs - very few at this level will be able to.

But you at least hope there will be a variety of options to call upon depending on the situation of the game.

Of course, the players on the field also need to be able to adapt. For Saints at the moment when their slick passing doesn't open teams up they rather run out of ideas.

When that happens it has to be down to Poortvliet to be able to change things around, otherwise the better sides will always work Saints out.

It leaves you with one of two conclusions - either this is Poortvliet's way of doing things or he doesn't have the players he requires at his disposal once you get beyond the first choice or so in each position, with that theory accentuated in the attacking roles.

The lack of points thus far is no great surprise - Cardiff away and Birmingham at home was about as hard a start as you could wish for.

But, with the young players needing confidence, a win soon would be handy and underline the good work that has been on show in the two league games we have seen.

The game against Birmingham was terrific viewing.

Both sides played some great football, very attacking, moving the ball quickly and there could have been a lot more than three goals.

In the first half it was Saints who were largely in control as Birmingham struggled to live with their formation and their movement.

The Blues were often found wanting as Saints got right in their faces and pressured them on the ball.

Stern John thought he had given Saints the perfect start when he steered Lloyd James's cross into the bottom corner only for the goal to be one of three in the game ruled out for offside.

The Blues' main threat was coming from lively winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. His shot was deflected goalwards by Seb Larsson on 27 minutes but Andrew Surman cleared off the line.

Quincy later squared to James McFadden who took an airshot when he should have scored.

Before the half was out Quincy's shot to the far post was turned home by Gary O'Connor but he was offside, while Kelvin Davis saved from McFadden.

After Simon Gillett's low shot was superbly stopped by Maik Taylor, Saints took the lead two minutes before half-time with Chris Perry meeting Lee Holmes's corner with a firm header from six yards out that left Taylor with no chance.

Saints could and possibly should have doubled their lead two minutes after the restart when John headed wide from a good position.

They were punished on 49 minutes when Birmingham equalised as Saints failed to clear a high ball into the box and O'Connor took advantage to steal himself some space in the area and finish low past Davis.

Davis went on to make saves from McFadden and Quincy before Liam Ridgewell headed in Stuart Parnaby's cross only to again see the offside flag correctly raised.

With the Blues well in control of the second period, and John having been taken off, came the turning point.

On 77 minutes McFadden crossed deep to one sub in Bent and his downward header bounced up and hit the underside of the bar.

Phillips, who had only come off the bench seconds before, was on hand at the far post to finish at the second attempt from two yards out after Michael Svensson had blocked his first effort.

Disappointingly, that was it for Saints, They mounted no further challenge for the remainder of the game and Poortvliet's lack of attacking options was underlined.

There is plenty to be positive about for Saints, but the ability to adapt their game plan when required is going to be crucial.