WANDERERS (4-3-2-1)
GAVIN BAZUNU…7.5.
Came up with some brave goalkeeping at times and was always available to help diffuse pressure with a clearance. Even helped out on the tactical side with the coaching staff.
LUCA STEPHENSON…7.
Great effort considering this was his first proper game since August. Came up against half a dozen different options on the Saints left and never looked outclassed.
EOIN TOAL…8.
It has been a really pleasing week for the captain who after an excellent night at Wolves followed it up with another strong defensive performance.
LEWIS BRUNT…8.
Looks like he has struck up a good relationship with Toal and hardly put a foot wrong. Starting to look like a very solid bit of business for the Whites.
AKIN FAMEWO…6.5.
Had to tread carefully, especially after picking up a yellow card. Improved in the second half and helped keep an important clean sheet.
JOSH SHEEHAN…7.5.
Brought one excellent save out of Peretz and considering the amount of football he has played since last Saturday, his impact on the game was impressive.
XAV SIMONS…7.
Really helped Wanderers get on the front foot in the second half and very nearly scored. Had been a bit hit-and-miss on the ball in the first 45 minutes.
GAIZKA LARRAZABAL…7.
Back in that more advanced role on the right to give some extra insurance. Came up with some good service.
ATSUKI ITO…6.
Couldn’t really get into the game, so was subbed at half time. Wanderers simply didn’t play enough football in the Saints half to get him involved.
THIERRY GALE…6.
Like Ito, suffered a bit from the lack of possession in the first half. Had a strong 15-mnute spell just after the break.
SAM DALBY…6.
Didn’t get very much change out of Schlotterbeck yet still went close with a header. Needed to be a touch quicker to some of the duels.
Subs: Rodrigues 7, 46 (for Ito) – Really made a difference when he came on.
Erhahon 6, 61 (for Simons) – Broke the game up well.
Dong 6.5, 61 (for Gale) – Worked hard and had a chance to win it at the end.
Bair 73 (for Dalby) – Worried Southampton’s defenders.
Iling-Junior 87 (for Larrazabal) – Helped to see the game out.
Not used: Bonham, Davies, Conway, Hardie.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Bree, Stephens, Schlotterbeck, Wellington; Ward-Prowse, Bragg; Azaz, Scienza, Fellows; Larin.
Subs: Dobbin 41 (for Larin), Matsuki 46 (for Fellows), Edozie 73 (for Bragg), Manning 73 (for Wellington).
Not used: Abbott, Jander, Long, Mubama, Wood.
Referee: Matt Donohue 5/10 – You have to admit, had that penalty call gone against Wanderers we would be screaming to high heaven. Not at fault for Southampton’s attackers spending so much of the game in an offside position but there were some strange calls dotted throughout.
Attendance: 29,634
MAN OF THE MATCH – Eoin Toal
Shaded it from Brunt and Bazunu, and having played so well against Wolves another step in the right direction. Southampton put the Bolton penalty box under plenty of pressure and Toal led by example, defending bravely.
MOAN OF THE MATCH – You could say that Bolton weren’t tidy enough in possession in the first half and not quite as incisive playing through midfield as they needed to be at times. Small details, though, because the gameplan worked.
MAGIC MOMENT – Cap off to Daniel Peretz for his close-range save from Sheehan. Southampton might feel they were wasteful at the other end – but Bolton could easily have nicked this had it not been for a great bit of goalkeeping.
ATMOSPHERE – Nearly 30,000 in St Mary’s and the Wanderers fans made themselves heard. Altogether now: “Offside again, ole, ole!”
Share