Southampton pay the price for poor finishing in draw against Rotherham

While the 5-0 defeat to Sunderland hurt because it stung Southampton's ego and failed to reach an acceptable level, Saturday's draw left a different disappointing aftertaste.

Following back-to-back wins over Leeds United and Stoke City, Rotherham was supposed to be the easy one. The gimme. The so-called banker.

While we all know football doesn't necessarily work out that way, Saints did seem destined to leave St Mary's with another three points before the international break.

Stuart Armstrong gave Russell Martin's side the lead inside two minutes with his second goal of the week - sending the home fans into raptures.

The hosts continued to dominate and should have added more. Adam Armstrong had a goal ruled out for offside before Che Adams was denied a headed goal by a fine save from Viktor Johansson.

By halftime, Saints had racked up 81 per cent of possession and completed 369 accurate passes. Their dominance made it feel as though the result was only heading in one direction - a win for Southampton.

Even Rotherham manager Matt Taylor felt as though his side would be unable to turn things around.

“It didn’t look achievable at the start of the first half," he said. "We somehow managed to stay in the game in that first half. 

"It was difficult and we rode our luck at times, and had to give ourselves a chance in the second half – and we did that.

“It still needs a moment of quality from the players or a moment of skill, whether that be our goalkeeper, last-ditch defending or the goal.

"When you come to Southampton, you have to sacrifice not having the ball for a little bit.

"There was a point in the first half where you could hear the end wavering. Not just in terms of my position, but in the belief of what we are trying to do."

Unlike against Stoke on Tuesday, a game in which they were required to do more defending - and did it well, Saints were unable to hold on to their clean sheet.

Jordan Hugill's volley, which was set up by a half-cleared header by Taylor Harwood-Bellis after Johansson thumped the ball upfield, was a moment of quality.

Had Gavin Bazunu not been as far off his line, perhaps Hugill wouldn't have attempted his audacious volley.

Southampton have now dropped seven points from winning positions this season. Only Coventry City (9) and Swansea City (8) have dropped more points having taken the lead.

The result against Rotherham wasn't characterised by poor defending. Instead, it was underpinned by a lack of clinical edge in the final third - not for the first time this season either.

While Johansson did make a succession of saves in the second half to keep Rotherham in the game - including an acrobatic stop to deny Will Smallbone - their finishing let them down, just as it did against Middlesbrough.

Martin was clear when speaking to the Daily Echo that he was frustrated by his side's lack of "ruthlessness" as they allowed Rotherham to earn a draw from their only real chance on goal.

Saints don't have an issue creating chances on goal. Their 13.68 shots per 90 minutes are only bettered by the high-flying Ipswich.

Of Southampton's 22 shots against Rotherham - which totalled a combined 3.23 xG, the highest they have managed since the 4-4 draw against Norwich - 17 were taken inside the box.

Saints were unable to finish their chances against Rotherham (Image: WyScout)

A Armstrong is the only player who has demonstrated the ability to be a consistent goalscorer this season. S Armstrong's second in straight games could set him on that course, however.

His fellow Scotland international Adams, who came in for Charly Alcaraz, is yet to score since his late winner against Plymouth Argyle in August.

Sekou Mara is still searching for his first goal of the season, as are the likes of Ryan Fraser and Joe Aribo - who have both become go-to substitutes for Martin.

“Hopefully as a group, they feel as frustrated as I do and they will use it as fuel when we come back," Martin added when reflecting on the draw.

"You don’t have any given right to beat anyone. If we win 1-0 people will be saying ‘how haven’t we won by more?’ If you win by two or three people will think it was about right.

"We have drawn 1-1 so I understand the frustration completely. A game at home should look like that - 80 per cent possession and so many shots.

"If we play this game 100 times, I’m pretty sure we would win 98 or 99 of those. We have a chance when we come back with another block of games to really progress and push up the league."

Seven points from nine games is a good haul in the Championship. It's the kind of form that will eventually see you promoted should you maintain it for the duration of a season.

But with the recent run of four defeats in a row, and Rotherham's position in the table, it's natural for supporters to feel bitterly disappointed not to have nine points from nine.

On any other day, Southampton beat Rotherham - which is much more than we could have said this time last month.