A Rory Fallon header and a dubious Luke Summerfield penalty either side of half-time consigned Saints to a fourth defeat in a row.

Saints made four changes to the side that started the defeat against Nottingham Forest last week. The centre-back partnership was changed completely - Olly Lancashire was recalled to the side and lined up alongside Jack Cork. Alex Pearce dropped down to the bench, while Chris Perry didn’t travel to Home Park. Adam Lallana was rested after turning his ankle in training and Jason Euell also missed out, which allowed Simon Gillett and Oscar Gobern to return in the centre of midfield and Ryan Smith got a place on the right wing.

Saints started brightly, not showing the lack of confidence that appeared to be evident against Forest, and forced a number of corners in the opening twenty minutes. Unfortunately, Gillett’s delivery from the set-pieces often failed to beat the first man - a problem we seem to have had all season regardless of who’s been taking them. On the occasions they did get past the first man, Plymouth’s physical and height advantage ensured they weren’t unduly troubled.

David McGoldrick looked a lot brighter than in recent weeks, linking up well with Andrew Surman early on and also with wide men Smith and Lee Holmes, and he had Saints’ best chance of the first half when Smith’s shot looped up into the air but Roman Larrieu in the Plymouth goal made himself big and blocked McGoldrick’s header with a good save.

Kelvin Davis was also tested as the game opened up a bit. Saints’ defence seemed to be dozing as they allowed Chris Clark a free shot which hit Davis’ legs and then Rory Fallon’s header was parried to safety. That should have acted as a lesson learned by the back four, but unfortunately they were punished for another lapse a couple of minutes later. Lancashire’s clearance didn’t reach the intended safety of the touchline where Craig Noone collected the ball and put an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Fallon who made no mistake from six yards.

While Plymouth’s opener was of the self-destruct variety, their second was symptomatic of the sort of luck and refereeing decisions teams tend to get when they’re struggling. Paul Gallagher did well down the right flank and had muscled his way past Rudi Skacel, who was fouling the on-loan Blackburn striker. Referee Roger East played a good advantage to allow him to continue, and he pulled the ball back for Fallon about 12 yards out. Lancashire threw himself in front of his first-time shot and the ball appeared to rebound off his face and away to safety. However, East adjudged Lancashire’s block to have been made with his hand and awarded a penalty.

So incensed were the entire Saints team at the decision that they surrounded the referee in protest, but the only outcome was a series of yellow cards, to Lancashire for the initial “handball” and to Davis and Skacel for their protests. Luke Summerfield stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Davis the wrong way to double their lead.

Jan Poortvliet responded by making a double substitution and switching to a more attack-minded line-up. Gillett was replaced by Matt Paterson, who went up front with McGoldrick hovering just behind him, and Academy scholar Kayne McLaggon was handed his senior debut in place of Holmes.

Paterson was in the thick of the action straight away as Ryan Smith teased the Plymouth defence and then put a great ball across the face of goal. Paterson threw everything at the ball but agonisingly couldn’t quite get enough contact on it to put it in the back of the net.

Saints were now dominating possession and were pegging Plymouth back to the edge of their own area, and it was only a number of desperate last-ditch blocks from various defenders which prevented Smith, McGoldrick, Skacel and Gobern from testing Larrieu. The best chance for Saints to get back in the game fell for McGoldrick, who spotted that the keeper had wandered completely out of position and from a wide position 25 yards out he tried to curl it round the keeper and into the vacant goal, but such is the luck at the moment that we shouldn’t really have been surprised when the ball rebounded off the post and away to safety.

Smith collected a knock with a few minutes to go and Poortvliet decided to send centre-back Alex Pearce up front as a last-gasp target man. It was fellow young centre-back Lancashire who would have the last chance of the game, and ironically having failed to create any chances from numerous first-half corners, he rose above the defender but his header went about a foot past the post.

While the performance was a marked improvement on the Forest game last week, there was also the impression that Plymouth knew exactly what they had to do in order to take the points. We’ve conceded a hell of a lot of goals in the first half of games this season (particularly in the minutes before half-time) from a sheer lack of concentration, and today was no different. While it was hard to see the penalty decision from the other end of the ground, the supposed evidence that Lancashire has from the block he made would suggest we’ve been hard done by on that one. That said, had we taken our own chances in the first half, particularly when McGoldrick’s header was well saved by Larrieu, we might not have needed to lament a dubious refereeing decision.

Despite defeat, I feel a number of players came out of the game with a fair amount of credit. David McGoldrick had one of his better games, looked lively and willing to chase lost causes and get involved. Oscar Gobern profited from a slight change of position from his previous first-team appearances as he shifted inside as part of a midfield three alongside Surman and Gillett. Lloyd James started the season looking completely lost at right-back and was given a few weeks off to get his confidence back and that spell on the sidelines appears to have done wonders for him. Final mention goes to Ryan Smith, who looked as though his loan spell was probably going to peter out in the reserves, but he’s battled back from a couple of niggling injuries and his second half performance today in particular was exactly the sort of performance you want to see from a tricky and pacey winger. He was always willing to run at the full-back and was happy to either cut inside or go out wide even on his weaker right foot. If he can put in another similar performance against Reading on Sunday, he might have a chance of having his loan from Millwall extended.

While the results are certainly a concern right now, we’re also being kept out of jail by the failing of others. Forest managed to undo all the good work they put in at St Mary’s last week by spectacularly losing 4-2 at home to Doncaster, a result which has cost Colin Calderwood his job. Charlton still seem completely unable to pick themselves up from the slump that’s engulfed them since the summer, but with the players at their disposal you would still fancy them to be able to string a few results together. That means one or two of the clubs above us are going to have to get dragged back into the mix. There is currently a 4-point gap which can only be reigned in by us collecting some more points. With none of the group of teams above us seemingly able to pull away properly, it really will only take a couple of positive results to bring them back in touch.

Amid all the fuss about the FA Cup third round draw, it would be easy to forget that Saints have a league game tomorrow, where they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to St Mary’s.

Wednesday have been very hit-and-miss so far this season, in fact they have a symmetrical record in that they have won 8 and lost 8 in the Championship, and indeed their home and away form are direct opposites (6-2-2 at home, 2-2-6 away). While their away form overall is poor, they did win their last game on their travels - a 2-0 win at Blackpool - but like us, they seem to struggle to score goals.

Their leading scorer is Marcus Tudgay with six league goals, four of which have been scored at Hillsborough. At the other end, they have conceded 25 goals in 10 away games so far, which is the worst away defensive record in the Championship by some distance. Meanwhile, Saints have kept two clean sheets in a row and are unbeaten in three league games.

Jermaine Johnson is sidelined for the Owls with a knee injury but they could be boosted by the return of Tommy Spurr, Frankie Simek and Wade Small from their respective injuries.

Saints will again be without Michael Svensson, but Olly Lancashire could feature after he came through a reserve outing in midweek. Jason Euell is now available again after serving his three-match ban. Jan Poortvliet isn’t expected to make many changes from the team that started the goalless draw at Charlton, although Jordan Robertson may make way for Alex Pearce or Lancashire to allow Jack Cork to play in midfield.

Saints face a tough trip to the Madejski to play free-scoring Reading tomorrow afternoon. The Royals have only dropped two points at home so far this season (a goalless draw against QPR recently) and are averaging 3 goals per game. Not a statistic you really want to be seeing, but one that we’re going to have to overcome if we’re to get anything out of the game.

Saints have only played one competitive game at the Madejski Stadium since it opened in 1998, which was a 2-0 defeat that came as part of Reading’s incredible 33-match unbeaten run to earn them promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2006. We’ve also played a number of pre-season friendlies there, and Saints maintain an unbeaten record in those, but it’s competitive games that count, and we’ve lost on the last three trips to Berkshire - that match in 2006 and two cup upsets in the mid-90s. Overall, our record at Reading isn’t too shabby at all. From 19 league and cup games, we’ve won 6, drawn 5 and lost 8, although with the exception of the 2006 meeting, the two teams haven’t met in the league since 1960.

Reading boast the Championship’s leading scorer in Kevin Doyle. The Irishman has scored 14 goals, 11 of which have come on home soil. The Royals recently paid his former club Cork City an undisclosed sum in settlement of a sell-on clause in his contract in order to save themselves a bit of money in the long-term on the assumption that he will command a hefty transfer fee should they choose or be forced to sell him. Fellow Irishmen Stephen and Noel Hunt have been their other key contributors, weighing in with 5 and 6 goals respectively.

Reading manager Steve Coppell is expected to name an unchanged line-up from the 2-0 win at Sheffield United last week. Centre-back Andre Bikey is expected to have recovered from a knock which prevented him from playing for Cameroon this week.

Alex Pearce, who has already scored two goals for the Saints from centre-back, is ineligible to play against his parent club. Chris Perry will probably replace him. Olly Lancashire is also a doubt after being forced off against Wolves last week, with Paul Wotton his likely replacement if he’s ruled out. Michael Svensson is probably out of contention after being struck down with illness, as has Oscar Gobern.

Jason Euell is also definitely out as he begins a three-match ban after his appeal against the red card given to him last week was rejected. Jordan Robertson and Romain Gasmi are in contention to feature, and Bradley Wright-Phillips will probably get a chance after impressing as a substitute last week.

Saints will be backed by more than 3000 fans after Reading agreed to give us an extra allocation of tickets. The last chance for Saints fans to buy tickets at the normal rate of £23 for adults is at 3pm this afternoon. Any unsold tickets will be available from the Reading ticket office, but with a £4 increase on that price.

Saints make their first league trip to Swansea since 1982 tomorrow hoping to follow up Tuesday’s goalless draw at Sheffield United with more away points.

Having made five changes to the team on Tuesday night, it’ll be interesting to see whether Jan Poortvliet sticks with the same system again. One player definitely missing from the starting lineup at Bramall Lane is Olly Lancashire who starts a two-match ban, with Paul Wotton set to deputise. Adam Lallana will face a late fitness test after picking up a calf injury in that game, and he has sat out training this week.

Morgan Schneiderlin could get a place on the bench after an outing in the reserves on Wednesday, but Michael Svensson is still no nearer to a return. Jason Euell and Romain Gasmi both featured against Brighton’s second string at Staplewood but aren’t likely to be in contention for a first-team place for a week or two.

Swansea have selection problems of their own with first-choice keeper Dorus de Vries out after suffering a broken jaw in a challenge with QPR’s Martin Rowlands on Tuesday night. Roberto Martinez took a gamble by not having a substitute keeper on the bench, which left defender Alan Tate to don the gloves for more than an hour. 19-year-old Pole Artur Krysiak - on loan from Birmingham City - is likely to make his debut, although he has already publicly shown that the prospect is making him nervous. With this in mind, it’s hardly surprising that the Swans are also on the lookout for another loan keeper, preferably (for them) one with a bit more experience.

Our record at Swansea, obviously all at the old Vetch Field, is mixed. While overall we have a decent record against the Swans (won 27, drawn 12, lost 17), we’ve only won 6 out of 28 league visits there (with 13 defeats and 9 draws), and our last win there dates back to January 1962.

Swansea are currently unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium this season, although four of their six home games have ended in draws, but that shouldn’t faze us too much as Sheffield United were (and indeed still are) also unbeaten on home soil.

The hosts are odds-on favourites (4/5) according to the bookmakers, but Saints can be backed at a not-too-shabby 7/2 or the draw at 5/2 - all with Ladbrokes.

Saints battled hard to earn a point and a clean sheet at Bramall Lane last night, despite Olly Lancashire’s late red card.

Manager Jan Poortvliet gave starts to Rudi Skacel, Chris Perry, Simon Gillett, Stern John and Bradley Wright-Phillips, at the expense of Lloyd James, David McGoldrick and Paul Wotton, who dropped to the bench. Jordan Robertson and Ryan Smith missed out due to ineligibility and injury respectively, whereas Sheffield United were forced into one change from the side that lost the Sheffield derby match – Morgan coming in for the suspended Killgallon.

The home side started the match brightly and were thwarted twice in the opening stages. First Ex-Saints player James Beattie broke the offside trap, but saw his shot blocked by Mills, before David Coterill played a neat pass through to Stephen Quinn, who took the ball in his stride before firing a low shot towards the bottom corner, which Kelvin Davis did well to tip wide.

However from then on, Southampton took control of the game, forcing United to sit back with some decent build up play in midfield. First Andrew Surman swung in a free kick, which Ollie Lancashire headed straight at Paddy Kenny and Surman was architect in the middle of the park again, as his fine through ball found mills in space down the left flank, but the youngster’s cross was slid away by Chris Morgan.

The Saints were looking bright down the right hand side with the added pace of Wright-Phillips to the side and it was the makeshift winger who should have scored moments later. He picked the ball up and ran at Naysmith, before exchanging passes with Stern John in a neat 1-2 and shooting just over when well placed.

The away side continued to show off good passing in midfield, with some pleasing build up play and although Paddy Kenny watched Rudi Skacel’s ambitious long range shot fizz across goal, he was soon thanking his defence – as the half drew to a close…

The home side had a corner. Which they failed to make use of - headed away by Surman and picked up by Lallana, who’s vision in chipping across to Wright-Phillips allowed for a counter attack move, as he went on a jinking run. Unfortunately the natural striker saw his curling effort blocked by Morgan.

Half time: Sheffield United 0-0 Southampton

The second half was a much more open affair, with both teams having chances, in what was end to end stuff and it was the home side who almost took the lead, when Beattie rose high to head firmly towards goal, but saw his effort saved on the line.

Saints threatened when Wright-Phillips broke through the middle and found Joseph Mills who bombed forward and forced Paddy Kenny into a decent save at his near post, before United started to push harder for an opening goal and were aided by their supporters who picked up in voice and they almost had something to cheer about, when Lancashire brought down Quinn and the ball fell nicely to debutant Anthony Stokes, who ran past Cork and found the net with a low shot, albeit the side of the net!

Chances continued to come for both side and away fans would have been equally disappointed when Stern John out jumped Ugo Ehiogu, to head Surman’s corner just over.
The term ‘end to end’ was certainly applicable in this game and when James Beattie mugged Simon Gillett in midfield, he certainly would have been disappointed with his shot, which was too close to Kelvin Davis, who smothered with ease.

Teammates and fans alike were to be disappointed minutes later, when a low cross wasn’t dealt with and Anthony Stokes netted a debut goal from close range, only to be adjudged to have been offside by the referee’s assistant.

And if Davis’ preceding save from Beattie was considered an easy, the save which Paddy Kenny had to make moments later certainly wasn’t. McGoldrick’s cross rebounded to Wright-Phillips, who saw his powerful curling effort saved tremendously well by the keeper who saved at full stretch to his right.

This was followed by another good move, with Gillett crossing to John, who chested down well for Lallana to shoot low – again Kenny equal to it.

The home side started to push again, which meant for nervous times ahead as the Saints somehow prevented Sheffield United from scoring a goal – Danny Webber and Kyle Naughton providing lots of dangerous crosses into the box, with Perry, Lancashire and Davis having to be on guard for a pummelling.

Bradley Wright-Phillips used his effectiveness on the break, as Southampton escaped the period of onslaught and the forward crossed well for McGoldrick, whose header was woeful.
Sheffield United continued to search for a goal, as the match approached its finale and Naughton broke forward again from right back, choosing to cut in and shoot, but his 25 yard curler was fantastically saved by Davis – one for the cameras!

And Naughton was involved again soon after, when his attacking run ended in a fizzing drive across goal, which missed Beattie, but not Stokes, who again shot into the side netting.

While Southampton closed out the game for what would have been a well earned point, things ended slightly sour, when Ollie Lancashire received a second yellow card for a late foul on Webber.

Full Time: Sheffield United 0-0 Southampton

Summary

In my opinion coming away with a point and a clean sheet is a great result for us, considering the nature of defeat our two preceding games. This was different. Better. More commitment all over the pitch and no compromise in quality of passing as we have sometimes seen in hard working displays.

In defence I thought we looked decent enough and much more solid in the full back positions, with Cork and Skacel occupying the slots, which had previously been filled by Mills and James. At the heart of defence Perry was very commanding and dealt well with the physical presence of Beattie, whilst Lancashire was often on hand to deal with dangerous crosses as the home side – as expected pushed us very hard. Although it was a shame to see Lancashire sent off, as he had played well. Davis in goal made some good saves, continuing his good form this season.

In midfield we passed around nicely in our build up play – Gillett, Surman, Lallana and Wright-Phillips always involved in passing moves and attacks, however I must admit not liking Mills being played left wing and if Skacel is now a preferred left back choice, I’d rather see Surman left flank, with Wotton or Schneiderlin slotting into Surman’s current defensive midfield role.

Up front it was nice to see John back and it was there for all to see that he possesses much better hold up and link up qualities than our other strikers. As for our best player, it’s hard to pick, as it was a good team effort.

Sheffield United offered plenty of attack in the second half, but weren’t consistent enough throughout the 90 minutes to merit the three points, so I think a point is a fair result. Quinn looked good on the left wing for them, a hard working player with an eye for goal too, not a bad a combination. However Ugo Ehiogu looked like a bit of a liability with his distribution, while Naughton at right back looks a fine prospect for the future.

All in all, a decent enough result and a hard working performance, but we must work harder in the final third for goals, as they seem hard to come by – switching to a 4-4-2 formation, with John and Wright-Phillips upfront would be my suggestion to overcome this –they linked up well tonight.

Olly Lancashire’s senior debut turned into a nightmare as he was sent off after just 30 minutes. Former Saint Dexter Blackstock scored twice to give Rangers a resounding winning scoreline, although Saints will feel the margin of victory wasn’t a fair reflection on the game.

Full report to follow…