MK Dons came here with a big reputation in this division, after a play off position last year and the return of Paul Ince, there were those who were suggesting that they were a better and more disciplined team than Charlton and could pip them to an automatic promotion spot, the fact that prior to their arrival at SMS they had only conceded 9 goals in 13 games told where their strength lay.
Of course all sides have their off days, and maybe Ince and MK Dons fans will claim this, but the truth of the matter is this could have been 5-1 to Saints and it wouldnt have flattered them, the only real question is how they went in a goal down at half time.
In the first half Saints werent firing on all cylinders, but they dominated the game, hustled MK when they had the ball and just had a little bad luck in front of goal, including a well worked offside trap that caught Waigo out on far too many occasions. as half time loomed a long clearance was bouncing harmlessly into the hands of Kelvin Davis when Rahdi Jaidi stepped in front of Easter, in truth there was absolutely no need to do so, this is the type of defenders challenge that you see on dozens of occasions, as the ball is ushered out for a corner, never given in those situations, it was on this and Saints found themselves a goal down.
In the second period Saints once again took control and it was a surprise when with only seven minutes gone Pardew made a double substitution, I have to admit Im wary of managers who make double changes this early, I usually think for a manager its almost admitting that you have got it badly wrong, but the truth is AP got this one spot on, he changed the formation and the running of Antonio and the guile of Connolly changed the game.
From then on it was almost a case of how many Saints would get, the first two goals were classics, Lloyd James is proving why his best position is right back, OK he cant get down the line as Gareth Bale used to on the left, but he can cross a ball and his long distance cross caught the Dons defence out and left Hammond with an easy chance as it did at Oldham, the second was a wonderful set piece,again it was James who this time pulled his cross back for lambert to shoot home.
The last ten minutes should have seen Saints home and dry long before the final whistle, however a combination of last gasp defending and poor finishing meant that Saints fans were still biting their nails as the game reached injury time, however they did what they do best and pinned MK back, forcing a mistake from the left back which Connolly punished, thats two back passes he has now scored from, if he can start putting them away from his own sides through balls then he will score a hatful.
The end result is that Saints would not have been flattered by 5-1, they are also now a very well organised side, they now have to put the dropped points behind them and keep winning, the good news is that if they can dispense with MK Dons in such a fashion, following on from the win at an Oldham side who themselves are on the verge of a play off spot, then the second half of the season could be interesting.
Saints fans still need to remember the word Patience, on Saturday it took time but Saints did get it right and part of that was the way the supporters stayed firmly behind the team and didnt turn against it when it was looking hard, secondly the ten point deficit is a big one, especially when you look at our poor start, we lie 11 points behind sixth place, if we keep winning we can get there, but it will take time, we have nothing to fear, we have played all the top nine bar Leeds, and only lost to two, one of those was a last gasp goal, but it will be a slow climb, our first aim should be to go into the New year within six points of a play off spot, if we can do that it will be a great last half of the season, but remember that word, Patience.
