So what did we, and hopefully Russell Martin, learn from that Saints game?

1) Some of the players that got promotion are not up to the PL. Aribo and Smallbone are way off the pace.

2) Five at the back leaves little attacking option. If you want to lose by the odd goal and bore the fans rigid, keep doing it.

3) Delaying substitutions when the team selection and performance is sadly lacking leaves little time to turn it around

4) One speed (very slow) football is predictable and will not break down PL defences.

5) Two wide forwards and nothing in the middle doesn’t trouble defences Russell Martin’s selection and tactics were straight out of last seasons worst periods. You can’t win games with a side packed with defenders and playing abysmally slowly from the back every time.

We have to mix it up.

We will certainly go straight back down playing like this.

Would it be too much to ask for a bit of faster attacking football and some excitement?

At least that way the fans will go home a little happier.

Bob Barton
Chandler's Ford