FAN's VIEW by Phil Parker

Phil saw his first Wanderers game in 1964 and watches games from the lower West Stand

WHO would be a football manager? Forget the fame and huge salaries, the game has a never ending propensity for making a mug out of you, and the Saints' fixture provided a perfect illustration of just that.

The first half was a dour midfield tactical battle, we effectively played 4-1-2-3 against Strachan's 4-4-1-1 and to a large extent our midfield two, Farrelly and Frandsen were outnumbered by their four, Fernandes was particularly prominent.

Despite that, we stuck to the task and Deano produced two great stops from Niemi.

We expected an improvement after the break and Sam delivered, overcoming the midfield imbalance by pushing Campo further forward and giving Barness more scope to raid down the right. It worked a treat, and roared on by a crescendo of noise, it seemed that only Niemi could deny us an inevitable goal.

However, the twin substitution of the enterprising Farrelly and the outstanding Holdsworth stopped our forward momentum in its tracks and Saints gratefully accepted the window of opportunity they hardly expected or deserved.

And yet, with Sam seemingly sporting a large portion of egg on his face, the last kick drama rescued a thoroughly justified point.

I must say that without Nolan and Gardner we look very bereft, particularly in wide areas (what has happened to Germaine Johnson?)

I also think it's apparent that Campo is indeed a centre back not a midfielder, but how can he be accommodated without breaking up the impressive Bergsson/Whitlow partnership?

Men of the match: Niemi and Holdsworth.