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The biggest cheer of the afternoon came when the stadium announcer revealed that Leicester had lost to Hull, Scunthorpe lost to Ipswich and Barnsley lost to Sheff Utd. But as the sorry looking Saints fans left St. Mary’s the announcer once again revealed that Palace had scored a late equaliser at Sheff Wed which was one of the best results of the day, the other being Pompey’s loss to Spurs! Saints: R Wright, J Wright, Thomas, Powell, Vignal, Viafara, Safri, Euell, Licka, John, Pericard (Wright-Phillips 70). Subs: Surman, Hammill, Ostlund, Davis. Coventry: Schmeichel, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Doyle, Thornton (Gray 64), S Hughes, Mifsud (Simpson 80), Best, Tabb. Subs: Duffy, Borrowdale, Marshall. Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex) Attendance: 22,014 Pearson looked to be playing a physical side with Licka and Safri the only small players in the team. He gave himself more options on the bench with Hammill, Surman and Wright-Phillips all available to add pace to the side. Richard Wright made his debut in after his midweek loan from West Ham.
Both teams began slowly with little for either keeper to do. The midfields were kept busy getting in tackles and being very physical. Neither of Saints strikers had much to do as the only balls that were put through found them in offside positions. The few shots that Coventry managed to have were week and rolled nicely into Wright’s hands. One chance that did go Saints way was when a ball was played nicely over the top for Stern John to run onto although the keeper beat him to it, he did seem to leave a foot in on the striker who was knocked over as a consequence.
Half time 0-0
It didn’t pick up much in the second half. A good chance fell to Licka on the edge of the box whose shot was well saved to the keepers left. Saints nearly went ahead on 60 minutes when Viafara’s deep cross found John unmarked at the far post but his header was straight at the keeper.
The only dangerous freekick of the game was awarded to Coventry after a foul 30 yards from goal but Fox struck the ball high and wide. Wright saved well from Mifsud midway through the half after he took advantage from Safri’s mistake near the corner flag. A minute later Pearson made a good change in bringing off Pericard to be replaced by Wright-Phillips who began lively.
Wright-Phillips managed to put the ball past the keeper after 75 minutes, the same time as we scored against Leicester a few weeks ago, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Mifsud who had been the only real threat against all afternoon was replaced 10 minutes from time for Simpson.The best chance of the game fell again to John who found space just eight yards out but keeper Schmeichel made himself big and kept out the shot.
Saints move no further away from the drop zone after Sheff wed managed a draw against Palace and remain in 19th place just above Coventry. Pericard had a dismal home debut and failed to fire any shots on target. Neither team managed to get the three points they needed to pull away from the drop zone.
Wright made a fantastic debut in goal, keeping a clean sheet in front of yet another reshuffled defence. With Davies out for the rest of the season Thomas and Powell look to be a sturdy pairing in the centre of defence. Although we got a draw we still need to make up about 8 points to secure safety which wont be easy with our remaining games.
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