Saints Marching
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Watford 2-2 Southampton: Match takeaways

By Marc Walker

WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Watford and Southampton at Vicarage Road on January 13, 2018 in Watford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Mauricio Pellegrino, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary’s Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Sitting back costs Saints yet again

After being two-nil up, Saints allowed themselves to be constantly pressed back in the second-half and they eventually surrendered what could have been a vital extra two points come the end of the season.

This is a continuing theme in Saints games this season, with narrow leads not taken advantage of against Brighton, Arsenal, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace and now Watford.

Strong starts have been made in all of these matches but when the opposition have their strongest spell, they are allowed to get back into the game.

The team are not helped in this by manager Mauricio Pellegrino, who chooses to react to these situations instead of predicting them and helping his team before they become under pressure. Substitutions and tactical changes to see out matches need to be made much sooner.