“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days, before you’ve actually left them”

3 wins in 3 and top of the league is one thing, but Stoke’s win on the south coast was by far the most significant statement of the Mark Robins era so far.

Under Pressure

The first half was a terrific game of football. Robins’ opponent, wunderkind Will Still, has clearly made an immediate impression on a team that got seven shades of saintly shit beaten out of it in the Premier League last season. They passed neatly, got into good areas and should have converted a couple of huge chances. Their work in possession was calm and patient. By contrast, Stoke were high-pressing, intense and chaotic. This was evident in a slew of early bookings (one of which would come back to haunt us) and a good amount of turnovers high up the pitch. Sorba Thomas was regularly released down the left with the freedom of Hampshire. Whilst the Saints bemoaned missed chances, The Potters could likewise have gone into the break a goal or two ahead.

Simply Diving

Ah, the impetuousness of youth. Mubama has been terrific in the 2.5 games he’s played for Stoke so far, but this was stupid in the extreme. From a brilliant slipped through ball (Manhoef…AGAIN) Divin could have put Stoke two to the good but in one decision potentially cost us all three points. Maybe he felt contact, maybe he thought “there’s no way a ref will think I’ll dive on a yellow” but sometimes you put the ball in the net. It followed an unnecessary first booking where his exuberance became reckless, smashing into a Saints defender. He’ll thankfully only miss the League Cup fixture against Bradford.

Viktor Johansson

If we sell him, we go down. Another magnificent display with the gloves. The man is a freak. The defending once again showed positive signs with the occassional worry (see Harwood-Bellis unmarked for Southampton’s goal). Ben Wilmot and Bosun Lawal may not have been the first-choice pairing in everyone’s mind at the start of the season, but they’re there on merit.

Vis Unita Fortior, isn’t it?

A well-chosen piece of Latin from Mark Robins in his post-match interview. Culture, passion, identity. In the wrong hands these become empty buzzwords (looking at you, Narcis). Matched with the kind of performance we saw on Saturday, they become real driving forces and make everyone collectively feel that bit taller and bit prouder. Robins knows this can’t go on forever (it can?) but he and the team have set a new standard for themselves. The kind that will get people through the turnstiles and add extra adrenaline in tired legs. It’s great to see.