After getting some thoughts from a Sheffield Utd perspective following our 0-2 win at Brammal Lane last week, we’ve caught up with a Saints fan after his long trip up to St James’ Park on Sunday.
Here’s what Southampton supporter Andrew Metzelaar told us after his side’s 2-1 defeat over the weekend, touching on everything from our stand out players to the St James’ Park atmosphere…or lack of it.
1) What did you make of the game? Fair result or feeling robbed?
“I feel in the 1st half Southampton were much the better team and was surprised how flat Newcastle were.
“In the 2nd half Newcastle were better from the off but faded – only after Carroll came on was there did Newcastle manage to mount a few attacks on our defence.
“I think it just shows how badly our defence is when we concede 2 goals when Newcastle barely even created a single chance.
“Overall, decent performance from Saints but no cutting edge.”
2) After the match, Ralph Hassenhutl has said…”I only saw my team playing football today”. Sour grapes or do you share his frustration?
“I don’t think Newcastle played particularly bad football, and in the first half had none of the play anyway.
“We played a fairly long ball game too into Shane Long so we were not much better, albeit maybe slightly.
“Both teams were pretty poor.”
3) Which NUFC players impressed you and why?
“The only player that caught my eye in the first half was Saint Maximin – he looked a real handful and troubled our defence by himself. Nobody else stood out at all until Carroll came on.
“Once Carroll came on in the 2nd half it felt like he was playing everywhere, he seemed to be tackling at left back and heading away every corner.
“If only he could play 90 mins weekly could be a real game changer.”
4) Which NUFC players did not impress you and why?
“I felt many of the other players in the Newcastle team were pretty poor, and the same can be said for most of the Saints players too!
“Joelinton was ineffective and reminds me of a signing we made 18 months ago – Guido Carillo. He was nicknamed ‘Carthorse Carillo’ and was a player we signed for big money too.
“Almiron was poor, and the defence let us through 1 on 1 twice through poor communication.”
5) The ground was as empty as we’ve seen all season, with just 42,000 turning up. What did you make of the atmosphere and 10,000 empty seats?
“I was looking forward to coming to St James’ and did enjoy the city and the day.
“Despite that, I felt the atmosphere was one of the poorest I had ever been to away and wasn’t helped by a very poor first 70 minutes by the home side.
“In the last 5 minutes the atmosphere improved but that’s not surprising after going ahead late.
“The stadium did look visibly empty in all areas and did not help either.”
A fair assessment from a Saints fan who had every right to feel let down by his side’s late collapse.
They were in control of the game for large parts and looked likely to come away with an easy three points until Andy Carroll came on.
