My view of the action.
The width of the post denied Saints a comeback victory after Andrew Surman’s last-gasp free-kick hit the woodwork. David McGoldrick had equalised DJ Campbell’s first-half penalty to earn Saints a point.
In a drab game of few chances, it was Blackpool who set the pace in the early stages, while Saints struggled to come to terms with the poor playing surface. However the away side did have a decent opportunity after ten minutes - Barker had headed behind for a corner and McGoldrick rose highest to head Gillett’s set piece just over.
But when not a lot seemed on, Blackpool were given the opportunity to take the lead inside the first 20 minutes. Saejis appeared to be dealing with a ball into the box and DJ CAMPBELL went down rather innocuously to earn a surprise penalty, which the Leicester City loanee stepped up to tuck away into the bottom left hand corner, with Davis diving the other way.
The seasider’s looked to extend their lead, when Campbell crossed for ex-Saint Ormerod, but he could only direct his header straight at the keeper. While Saints could only muster up one decent chance when Euell, who later went off injured, sent a towering header wide of the mark after a deep cross from the left from Skacel.
And while the game continued to be an uneventful, scrappy affair, it almost sparked into life towards the end of the half, when Campbell met Southern’s cross with an overhead kick, which looked goal bound, but for the acrobatics of Davis, who tipped over the bar.
Half time: Blackpool 1-0 Southampton
The Saints started the second half with a bit more intent, but were having to build up slowly against a stubborn ‘pool rearguard. McGoldrick showed some neat skill, before finding Surman, who’s cross was headed behind by another ex-Saint Crainey and from the resulting corner, Saganowski headed over the bar.
The home side were playing on the counter attack, in order to utilise the obvious pace possessed upfront by Campbell and the system almost paid off when the striker nipped in behind Saejis with ease, but lacked composure when one on one with Davis - only managing to lob the ball straight into the goalkeepers arms.
Again Saints pressed, but again Blackpool countered and after McGoldrick had seen his shot blocked after decent build up from both Saganowski and Wright-Phillips; Campbell managed to find himself through again, but passed to Small, who shot fiercely across the face of goal.
Saints would find an equaliser though and it was a memorable one. Skacel played in DAVID MCGOLDRICK, who flicked onto Saganowski and seized onto the return ball, nodding past Barker and turning Crainey inside out, before coolly slotting past Rachubka in the Blackpool goal.
Crainey curled a free kick just over the bar for the hosts, but it was Saints who ended the game the stronger. First Surman fired over the bar from a tight angle, before agony in the last minute, when he shot at goal directly from a free kick, which hit the inside of the post and bounced over the head of Wright-Phillips, who was ready to bounce for a simple rebound.
Full time: Blackpool 1-1 Southampton
It’s the business end of the season and three points were needed and we didn’t get them, which is disappointing. I thought we were unlucky in general, but the result was a fair one.
Blackpool had two great opportunities through DJ Campbell, who was pretty lively throughout, however the penalty decision was a poor one - a clear dive from where I was stood and we were also unlucky with Surman’s free kick, which hit the inside of the post.
Aswell as Campbell having a good game for the hosts, I thought Barker in defence shaded it as their best player, as he looked committed throughout and often through himself in the way of things, it was tough trying to get past him and when we finally did, it took a moment of magic from McGoldrick.
In terms of our own performance, I thought it was very much below par in the first half and for most of the second half. The pitch didn’t help and the game was a battle, but there was little rhythm in our play. Quite often we’d try and break from full back through Jake Thomson, but he had little support or options, as with a narrow midfield diamond, which meant he was often crossing from deep and this was extremely poor.
In defence, both Perry and Saejis had shaky moments, twice allowing Campbell to be clean through on goal, as they failed to deal with the tricky striker, but overall they didn’t disgrace themselves and were Ok.
In midfield Schneiderlin didn’t deal with the conditions and was right to be subbed for a battler like Wotton, while Gillett covered three positions in the match and was decent in all of them - to which he deserves some serious credit for. While Surman was unlucky with his free kick, but his consistency of delivery could be improved.
Going forward we didn’t look great. Euell won some aerial battles, but then got injured and his replacement Wright-Phillips didn’t really expose the opposition backline too much, same for Saganowski. As for McGoldrick, I’d give him man of the match on the basis that goals are important he took his so well.
There is a lot that could have been better in this game, but it must be noted that we showed good character to come from behind, when in particular we didn’t play that well, but still managed to score. Every game from now on is obviously vital, so hopefully we can turn in some games with a bit more winning mentality, starting at home to Charlton.
