Background

The Boxing Day fixture is usually one of the most anticipated events on the English football calendar, and it was certainly the case here as 30,890 fans turned up for the match at St Mary’s. St Mary’s is one of the new breed of stadia, built in the last 10-15 years, which is often, unfairly in my view, referred to as ‘identikit’or ‘McStadia’. This is because these stadia are perceived as soulless and lacking in character in comparison to those they replaced. In my view, these arenas will develop their own ‘soul’and character as time passes and new memories and achievements will be associated with it by the clubs and their fans.

Southampton were a Premier League club up until 5 seasons ago. Once a model of top flight stability, the Saints have lurched from one disaster to the next. From the appointment of Sir Clive Woodward (former England Rugby coach!) as Performance Director in 2005, through relegation from the Premier League in 2004-05, and then relegation from the Championship last season, it has been a tough time for the club. And that is only on the pitch.

Off the pitch, Saints sunk into administration and started their 2009-10 League One campaign with a 10-point deduction. Indeed, the Southcoast side were in danger of going out of business completely until they were rescued by the Swiss billionaire Markus Liebherr in July.

Unlike fierce local rivals Portsmouth, Southampton appear to have landed on their feet with their new investor. Liebherr already had an affiliation with Southampton through one of his business subsidiaries, Liebherr Cranes. With the help of Nicola Cortese, the new Executive Chairman, Liebherr has set about improving the infrastructure of the club, from administrative departments right through to the academy and the coaching and playing staff. The idea has been to set up a solid foundation on which to build long-term, sustainable success, rather than just throwing money around on flashy signings.

Since the takeover, things have been looking up for the Saints. Experienced new manager Alan Pardew has been able to bring in a host of new faces and, despite the 10-point deduction and a shaky start,  he has guided them into mid-table with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs at the end of the season. With the resources now at their disposal (Liebherr’s fortune is estimated at £2.6 billion), Saints’ultimate goal must be to get back into the Premier League.

The Match

Looking at the packed stands and hearing the fantastic atmosphere generated by the home fans, you would have have been forgiven for thinking you were at a Premier League match. The Saints fans were in full voice, especially in the Kingsland North Wing behind one of the goals, where most fans stood, despite the seating. It was an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting Grecians.

Looking away from the stands and onto the pitch however, it was painfully evident that this was League One fayre being served up. The match was high on physical endeavour but low on quality.

Exeter City have strong historical links with Brazilian football, and in the first half they could’ve used a little help from Pele as they were largely impotent, unable to trouble the Saints’defence. The Grecians, under promising young manager Paul Tisdale (an ex-Southampton player) were well-organised and compact, trying to play intelligently through midfield. Unfortunately, Exeter’s downfall was in their lack of individual quality in comparison with Pardew’s side.

After a nervy 15 minutes, Southampton broke the deadlock with the game’s first piece of real quality. Diminutive right-back Lloyd James cut in from the right touchline and fired a left-footed deflected shot past Paul Jones in the Exeter goal.

The goal settled Southampton’s nerves as they began to pass the ball better and get into crossing positions. With Morgan Schneiderlin and man of the match Dean Hammond patrolling the centre of midfield in front of Saints’back four, it was left to Southampton’s wide players (Adam Lallana, Michail Antonio) to provide the creativity. However, Saints didn’t create too many clear-cut chances, other than a David Connolly header hitting the crossbar, and their 2nd goal came from a set-piece on 30 minutes. James’free-kick was headed in by centre-back Neal Trotman.

Exeter never really looked like getting back into it in the first half. Things got worse for the Grecians when Tottenham loanee Troy Archibald-Henville was red-carded for a lunge on Schneiderlin. Up to that point, he had been their best player, doing a good job shielding Exeter’s back three and keeping it simple in possession.

With a mountain to climb, Exeter came out fighting in the 2nd half  and got back into the game on 68 minutes when centre-half Matthew Taylor headed home a Ryan Harley corner. The goal set up a nervous finale for the Saints and, despite the numerical disadvantage, Exeter began to dominate. Harley’s influence grew in central midfield as he probed away looking for the equaliser.

Unfortunately for Exeter, the equaliser never came. Pushing forward looking for the elusive 2nd goal, they left holes at the back. Saints substitute Papa Waigo N’Diaye, on loan from Fiorentina, latched onto a Rickie Lambert through ball and slid the ball past Jones on 88 minutes to seal a deserved victory.

The win keeps up Saints play-off hopes. If they were to win promotion, it would be a massive achievement given the 10 point handicap, but it is definitely not beyond their squad which is littered with players who have played at higher levels. The likes of Chris Perry, Radhi Jaidi, David Connolly, Graeme Murty and Kelvin Davis all have the required experience for a promotion push.

Alan Pardew will want to spend as little time as possible in League One, as will young talents like Dean Hammond and skilful midfielder Adam Lallana. These players couldn’t really hope to be at a better club. With an experienced manager at the helm and Swiss billions behind them, not to mention a fantastic stadium and large, vociferous fanbase, Southampton is a Premier League club in all but name.