What a game last night, two really good Championship teams properly going for it. Should have won it from 1-0, could have lost it, came back strongly and so close to (effectively) getting promoted last night.
It's a shame we didn't keep the ball better at 1-0, another ten minutes of being ahead would have set us up nicely for a second goal. That quick free kick Matuswia took straight to them was particularly careless and I don't think we got the ball back properly until their equaliser.
So much to like though, Wes Burns coming back in and looking like he had never been away, Dan Neil's best performance for us by some distance, Greaves winning the ball high up the pitch for the first goal, Azon doing excellently in controlling the ball to set up Wes and also the one afterwards where his leg got taken. And then the cameo from Cajuste and Clarke's magnificent finish to the game.
Above all that though was the mentality and belief, we've looked hesitant at times this season but there was none of that last night. We would probably have lost after going behind a month ago but there was no sense of that being a possibility last night. Well it was, but we weren't just going to settle for it. Once Clarke equalised I'm not sure Southampton had another chance.
A load of players faded quite badly, fitness was an issue for both sides after the number of games in the last few weeks: Wes, Azon, Matusiwa and Neil all looked knackered as they went off but the subs stepped up.
So close to winning it, if Neil had held his run, Furlong had got some direction on that header or Clarke had a bit more luck then we would have done but I think it's ok. If we play half as well as that on Saturday then we will win but this squad has given every indication that they have grown into the last month of the season. Portsmouth does spoil that narrative slightly but it's the sort of blip we've had at intervals throughout the season.
One more game to go, can't wait for Saturday. COYFB. |  |
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