Football: Firing blanks

PUT THE scoring records of these two sides together and you end up with an average of less than one goal a game.

The frustrating thing about watching them yesterday was not just that Southampton and Charlton delivered everything the statistics suggested they would, but that you had not rushed to the bookies before kick-off to back the goalless draw.

This was as dour a game of football as you could wish to see.

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan was quite clear about why. His players, he said, had been unable to transfer the cockiness they show on the training pitch to the pressurised atmosphere they encounter during the matches.

"The only thing we can do perhaps is train even harder, in the afternoons as well," Strachan said. "But is it worth doing that if the people who are cocky in midweek can't handle the pressure of the final shot in the match itself?"

Strachan had responded to his side's shortage of goals - three in six games - by dropping James Beattie and moving Jo Tessem from midfield to play up front alongside Marian Pahars. "I thought Jo did really well, he gave two good defenders a lot of trouble," his manager said.

In a first half that left you admiring the vision of those fans who stayed away, Tessem came the closest of anyone to a goal. He met Fabrice Fernandes' corner with a looping header that looked destined for the net.

It appeared initially that Dean Kiely had pulled off a terrific save, having been given so little else to do previously. But replays showed that Charlton had Chris Powell to thank, the left back having headed the ball off the line.

Southampton's regular keeper Paul Jones paid the price for his fumble against West Brom by sitting on the bench, allowing a debut for Southampton's pounds 2million signing Antti Niemi.

The Finn proved he is no mug between the sticks with his first significant save of the match - after 44 minutes. Claus Jensen whipped in a curling free-kick and Niemi showed impressive concentration and agility to tip it wide.

Ironically, Niemi had spent time at Charlton, although boss Alan Curbishley decided against signing him.

"At the time Hearts (his former club) were talking a lot of money," he said. "He has been on the verge of the Premiership for some time and now he has got his chance."

Both managers conceded that this was a game of woefully few scoring opportunities - and those that existed were squandered.

Strachan said star striker Pahars was missing chances that he would have snapped up last season. "He was scoring goals that would leave you saying: How did he get that in?" Strachan said.

Charlton strikers are rarely in danger of being over-fed with chances, but they epitomised why the side are proving so effective away from home, particularly Jason Euell. Both their wins this season have come in away games; indeed Curbishley's side has yet to pick up a point at the Valley.

No chore was too great for Euell, whose diligence in tracking back will be viewed with envy by some Premiership managers. Other managers will be envious, too, of Charlton's partnership in central defence. Curbishley has made plain his belief that Richard Rufus should be part of the England set-up, having made such an assured return from last season's injury.

What is also becoming clear is the guiding effect he is having on Jon Fortune. It is not often that the pair look anything other than in control.

The Saints' defence also did much to bludgeon the excitement out of the game. Paul Williams and Claus Lundekvam will not have earned many entries on Fantasy League teams, but they did well to snuff out what attacking moves Charlton were able to muster.

Charlton tried to step up a gear in the final 10 minutes. Southampton also improved for the introduction of Anders Svenson. For a short time the game became worth watching, even if chances continued to be as scarce as the points the two sides have picked up this season.

But it is hard to escape the conclusion that, for both sets of supporters, this will be a season high on anxiety.

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