Saints 0-1 Norwich

Last updated : 13 July 2002 By Stuart Gillespie
The game was slightly better than last season's 3-2 defeat, and there were a few plus points to be taken out of it.

The performance of Simon Lappin when he came on was one of them. Not afraid to take on defenders, he would probably be starting games if we didn't already have Ian Ross, Andy Dow and Chris Kerr down the left. However he should make some appearances and may prove vital. Very impressive.

Ludo Roy's performance was also very good. He made some outstanding saves, including an amazing save in the first half, before being replaced by trialist goalie Billy Bauld. Despite being in when Chris Llewellyn scored, he also pulled off some good saves and would be a great player to sign as back up.

Junior Mendes and Liam Keogh both looked decent when they came on. The problem is Tom Hendrie had decided for a 4-4-2 formation for the game, and with mendes and Keogh on their own up front in the second half, the high balls that were played into them were easily cleared away. Personally I feel a 3 up front including Mendes and someone to knock the ball down would be good. Keogh looked decent and should definitely earn another chance to prove himself.

Brian Launders was not so impressive however. The former Cyrstal Palace midfielder was played up front for the first half, and was very poor on the few occasions he got the ball. He was played out of position which could explain some stuff, but he didn't link up with Brian McGinty at all. McGinty had Saints closest chance of the match when he hit the post in the first half.

Ricky Gillies was pretty invisible for most of the game, and there is no way he will be able to play on the right of the midfield. He was captain for the second half, with Ian Ross being captain for the first, but he didn't do much. Scott McKenzie was pretty much the same, he didn't do much more to be fair.

Kirk Broadfoot, Andy Dow and Greig Denham all made their Saints debut. Denham looks an excellent signing, but I think the dury is still out on Broadfoot until he gets a bit more experience. Dow didn't get much of a chance to impress, and was replaced in the second half.

Despite being injured early on, Paul Rudden played the full game down the right of the back 4. Like Gillies I don't think he'll be able to cope in that position and we desperately need someone like Iain Nicolson down the right. Without him we could struggle.

When he came on in the second half, Mendes showed he still has his pace which is good. However he also got the micky taken out of him every time he fell over, and it seemed he was trying too hard to get on the good side of the fans. Played in a three though he could be awsome.

So overall it was a decent performance, however a bit of reshuffling needs to be done. The funniest moment was when Norwich made 8 changes at once in the second half and the Love Sreet announcer said "Substitution for Norwich: A whole load of players coming off being replaced by a whole load of players coming on."