2011-12 Match Reports CCFC v SOUTHAMPTON

28.9.2011

CCFC 2 v 1 SOUTHAMPTON

An evening full of drama began with a sartorial dilemma – warm enough for T shirt and shorts, the notsensibles had the edge over the pessimists as the balmy evening defied the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ (John Keats, Romantic Poet and creative wing half for Winchester Muse FC.)

With resources stretched, Malky gave the left back berth to Mr Utility, Mr Dependable,  Darcy ‘Play Me Anywhere I Don’t Care’ Blake, and brought in Joe Mason to play just behind Miller who was given sole responsibility upfront. Considering the number of injuries, this patched up starting eleven looked decent enough on paper, but could they compete against the table-topping Saints?

The omens were not good as from the start Southampton exercised complete control. For 5-10 minutes City struggled to get near the ball. We kept a good shape across midfield however and snuffed out the very real threat provided by the prolific Lambert and his Brazilian strike partner Guly do Prado who was looking a real handful and getting good service from an inventive midfield that looked full of confidence. Despite their dominance, the Saints rarely troubled Marshall and as the half wore on we managed to take a hold on the game. In fact, with three edge of the box free-kicks, on another night if Whitts had had his shooting boots on we might even have gone in ahead.

As with the Leicester game, we started well in the second half, although the best chance fell to Lambert whose header from no more than 5 yards out skewed past the near post. A few minutes later Southampton pressed again and as they stood around claiming a penalty for an innocuous challenge, Marshall punted the ball up field to the alert Miller who got between two defenders and headed the ball on the bounce over the advancing keeper. 1-0. Within a minute of the restart Marshall was again the hero saving smartly as the Saints looked for an immediate response.

Miller was now playing a much more central role, in contrast to the first half when all his running seemed to be down the flanks leaving few options in front of goal with the midfield struggling to get forward to fill the space. Within 10 minutes of the opener and after a timely interception and superb through ball from the impressive Gunnarsson, Miller struck a perfectly angled shot which found the corner of the net. 2-0.

The impressive Saints continued to dominate possession and had chances to get back into the game but in Marshall they found a keeper at the top of his game as for the second time in four days he dealt with a late onslaught. For all their finesse, the opposition were unable to break down a committed and well organised City defence. The game was probably won in midfield however. In Kiss, Gunnarsson and Cowie we have players who show a commitment and energy lacking in recent years. It’s clear that Malky will not allow passengers and there is a spirit about this team that was not always evident in the Jones years. For all his qualities as a man, many of us suspected that Jones’ touchline demeanour almost encouraged the luxury players to disappear for long spells. This will not be acceptable under the new regime.

The one player who embodies these values more than anyone is of course Kevin McNaughton. Super Kev again put his body on the line time after time and was substituted after a real bone-cruncher, to be replaced by unlucky Quinn who despite being almost ever-present last season, finds himself on the margins this. Another example of the depth of quality options on the bench.

We are still lacking a real creative force just behind, or in partnership with, Miller. Mason is an excellent prospect but he’s still learning his trade and is a couple of full seasons away from achieving his potential. The ability to fill this gap with real quality will be the difference between a season of consolidation and one where we can make a real challenge.

So nine games in, 3 points off the leaders and so far so good. Amongst the early season pace-setters Brighton and Southampton are perhaps beginning to be found out but have enough quality to continue to mount a serious challenge; West Ham and Leicester of course have the edge in terms of resources; the surprise packages Derby and Boro may last the pace and fringe teams like Hull, Blackpool and Leeds can’t be discounted but there’s every reason to think that we’ll be part of the shakedown when ‘the red-breast whistles from a garden croft and gathering swallows twitter in the skies’.