Saints Marching
Fansided

Five takeaways from the Brentford vs Southampton friendly

By Nikos Lemanis

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Supporters make their way to the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Brentford and Eastleigh FC at Griffin Park on January 7, 2017 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Supporters make their way to the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Brentford and Eastleigh FC at Griffin Park on January 7, 2017 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Olivier Giroud (blocked) of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Olivier Giroud (blocked) of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Fraser Forster’s head-in-hands moment

With ten minutes left, Southampton were 2-1 up and looking comfortable, despite a plethora of changes. Then Forster made a mistake that made us thankful this was a friendly.

On 83 minutes, Florian Jozefzoon sent in what seemed to be a relatively tame cross, but it wriggled through Forster’s hands and into the net.

When I say ‘head-in-hands moment’, I’m talking about the fans. Forster was too busy desperately claiming an unlikely foul to dwell on his howler. Although he was under pressure from Brentford striker Neal Maupay, there is no doubt he should have claimed the ball.

Many Saints fans were puzzled when the England international signed a new 5-year contract last week. His form last season was patchy at best, and he only signed his previous long-term contract last May.

Forster’s mistake will not fill fans with confidence for the season ahead. The abuse he received from the Brentford fans may not be the last he gets unless he can return to the form of his early days with the Saints.

At least Alex McCarthy looked good in the warm up though…