Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern were left reasonably satisfied after seeing their side come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United on Sunday, a result which moves the South Coast outfit into the top half of the Premier League.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men went into their clash with the Magpies off the back of three defeats in four league matches, and twice fell behind to Rafa Benitez’s side thanks to goals from midfielder Isaac Hayden and attacker Ayoze Perez either side of half time.
However, our resident Saints fans did have goals to cheer at St Mary’s yesterday with a brace from striker Manolo Gabbiadini, his first strikes since the 3-2 win over West Ham back in August, securing the hosts a point from the encounter, and thus ending a run of three successive home defeats in all competitions.
Nonetheless, for all the positivity among the Southampton fans lining the bar in the Tavern, the performance of goalkeeper Fraser Forster was again subject to criticism on Sunday, with the England international continuing his difficult run of form.
The 29-year-old could do little about Newcastle’s opener but may well be to blame for the second, with his initial save to deny Perez not parried away to safety, before being beaten at his near post by the Spaniard from the follow-up.
And several Saints supporters took to Twitter in the aftermath of the game to hammer the shot-stopper, with some calling for Pellegrino to take him out of the firing line when West Brom visit St Mary’s next weekend…
If he doesn’t drop Forster after that then he never will. #saintsfc
— Josh Burridge (@josh_burridge) October 15, 2017
Maybe it’s time to take #Forster out of the firing line & bring in #McCarthy for a few games, think #VVD was very poor too! #SaintsFC
— Phil Wiseman (@PhilWiseman1979) October 15, 2017
Alex McCarthy needs to start next game and actually challenge Forster becoming a slight joke #SaintsFC
— JT (@jaytaylorrr_) October 15, 2017
Put Sammie Saint in goal! I’m sure he’d do a better job than Forster did today! #saintsfc
— Trudee (@Trudeestweets) October 15, 2017
Worrying that Forster’s errors destroy his confidence. He then loses his head & looks vulnerable for the following 15/20mins #saintsfc
— Matthew Winchcombe (@mwinchy13) October 15, 2017
It genuinely looks like Forster is knackered. Getting to the point where he’s had more bad games than good for us. #saintsfc
— The Archers Road End (@ArchersRoadEnd) October 15, 2017
Wasn’t brilliant but a point none the less! Gabbiadini and boufal should start more often for sure, Forster however! #SaintsFC
— matthew samuel (@mattsamuel1992) October 15, 2017
Forster couldn’t save a word document this season #Saintsfc
— CabbageFace (@Cabbage_Face) October 15, 2017
