We started pretty brightly. Barmby and Fagan linked up well and we got some joy down the left hand side. We played the ball short when we could and tried to release Fagan quickly when it suited and we looked a good side. We lost the first goal when Livermore passed poorly in midfield after a good spell of possession and we were punished by a superb cross from the right. A few minutes later, Gareth Bale hit a sweet free-kick into the top corner and it was 2-0 and harshly, for me. We fought hard to get the goals back and started the second half just as brightly. We really looked like the side who would win it but Saints shuffled their pack and brought on about £4m worth of talent! We let in two sloppy goals, but we were punished clinically. We were down to 10 for their third because Livermore was off the pitch, but no-one seemed to fill in the gap and Ricketts ended up 1 on 2 against their wide players. The fourth was a throw-in that we poked at poorly and let Wright-Phillips in.
Bo had a great game. He made 2 superb 'camera' saves and collected their corners confidently. He slices kicks into touch a couple of times when under pressure, but otherwise, pretty faultless. The defence did OK as individuals. Turner had a great first hour but let Jones in behind him and seemed shaken after that. Coles and Ricketts fought for everything and Delaney was probably the best he's been at left-back.
Elliott won his share of headers, worked up and down and threatened at the back post. He faded in the 2nd half, but he did enough to suggest he's finding his best form. On the right, Marney was barely involved for 20 minutes, being limited to 2 or 3 touches. Bale skinned him just after the first goal and Parky hauled him off. He stormed straight down the tunnel and it's hard to blame him. He was played out of position, didn't get the ball (because it didn't go down the right and when it did, Ricketts chipped it up towards Fagan) and was dragged off after 20 minutes. France did a good job of replacing him. He worked up and back, burst into the box and set up the position for the first goal with a bustling run down the right. He played some stray passes, but he showed why, in my opinion, he's the easy choice for the right of midfield. He possibly should have been better positioned for their third goal. Ash had a good game. He chased and harried as he always does and talked to people around him and tried to help them. His attitude forced a Saints error for Fagan's goal. He was let down by the guy alongside him. Livermore was poor and not just because he gave away the goal. He didn't make enough tackles or use the ball well enough and he didn't look necessary on the pitch. Welsh replaced him under difficult circumstances because the third goal went in while he was waiting to come on. He showed great composure on the football and great skill as he and Ash tried to make something happen. We had a great period of pressure at the end as a result.
Up front, Barmby had his best game in a long time. Fagan moved the defence around and terrified them with his pace, while Nick dropped in the hole and tried to link play with decent results. They both deserved goals, as did Stuart Elliott. Was it his first 90 minutes for City? Forster only had a few minutes, but he drove at the defence and caused trouble. Individually, Livermore was poor, Marney wasn't involved but everyone else did a good job.
As for where it leaves us, I don't know. I expect Parky will be sacked now, but I don't think we can complain if he isn't because the performance was committed enough and good enough to earn him another fortnight or so. The problem is, if we are going to change things, a new man needs to assess this squad before January, so a decision is necessary soon. He picked a decent side today and tried to get them playing football. Something he probably should have done 2 months ago. His post match interview was absolutely first class and completely honest. I don't think he's made good enough signings or been brave enough in team selection and I don't think he can complain if he's chopped. However, he's a genuinely good person who's given the job everything he had, whether that's enough or not and I'm very sorry it hasn't worked out for both parties.
The crowd were a disgrace today. The sarcastic cheers at Boaz and short passing were totally un-needed. Fighting each other, booing the team after they were hit by a world class free-kick and moaning at every mistake is pathetic. As a crowd, we didn't deserve the 2 City goals because we did nothing to lift the team or support them. A few tried to get something going, but it was dead. If you want to turn up with that attitude, you should spend your money elsewhere, because the club doesn't need that sort of 'support'. The massive "City 'til I die" chant at the end was much better, as was the applause at the end for 14 guys who fought for the cause today and came up short. We'll take that, 26 more times this season please. Give it everything you have and if it isn't good enough then so be it.
Ratings: Bo 7; Ricketts 6 (Forster), Delaney 7, Turner 7, Coles 7; Marney (France 7), Elliott 7, Ashbee 8, Livermore 5 (Welsh); Barmby 7, Fagan 8.