Walsall 1 Southampton 3 - analysis

Succinct and to the point, Walsall boss Chris Hutchings summed up his side's Saturday after they were undone by Southampton.

The Saddlers fell just short, only just, against a visiting team who are play-off contenders in all but position.

It was a missed opportunity to break into the top six but, perhaps, a blessing just to keep expectations in check.

Nestle inside the play-offs and hope rises, pressure builds and all of a sudden the young band of Saddlers are playing under a spotlight which would be more of a hindrance than a help.

Hutchings and assistant boss Martin O'Connor have continually vowed to keep their charges' feet on the ground and rightly so.

They know they are the poor relations in the top 10 but have proved they can muster a challenge, the key now is to maintain it.

Saturday's game was the acid test of whether the Saddlers could stand up to the so called 'better' teams.

The five-game unbeaten league run leading up to the weekend's clash came against sides who shouldn't trouble a promotion-chasing team.

You have to beat what is in front of you and Walsall did but, while they stumbled against a superior side, there is still cause for optimism.

The Saints, with class in abundance, showed them where they need to improve.

There won't be many better sides visiting the Banks's Stadium and this was only the second defeat on home turf this season, so it must be put into context.

Walsall didn't lose any ground on the top six despite dropping to eighth and learned a valuable lesson.

The game proved that if they are to realise their lofty ambitions, investment in the squad, albeit minimal, is needed.

Saddlers have a team who can hover around the top but to stay there one or two additions are a priority. On the day Southampton had the quality, Walsall didn't. That was the difference.

Hutchings is not ignorant. He knows the squad needs strengthening in January if they are to continue their push but, as he has said, whether they are still there remains to be seen.

Within the next month his side face Millwall, Bristol Rovers, Norwich and Charlton in season-defining matches.

December is crucial. Every team plays 46 games come May but the magnitude of the festive fixtures is such that they cannot be overlooked.

Mixed in is the visit of Leyton Orient in two weeks but failure to win, or take a point, against their play-off rivals would see Hutchings' men slip behind and have to start all over again.

But a win or three would keep them ahead of the chasing pack and make the Saddlers an attractive proposition for future employees.

Either way, when Charlton visit the Banks's on January 2, we will see the bigger picture.

Saturday's trip to Millwall continues in the same vein. The Lions have promotion aspirations of their own and it will be another huge test of the Saddlers' credentials.

They are close to bridging the gap between the challengers and also rans. Written off at the start of the season they have set down a marker in which to play out the second chapter of the campaign.

It is only four defeats in 16 League games, a sign of their robust nature, and Southampton are only the second team to escape the Banks's with all three points.

Walsall's reputation is undimmed in the face of the Saints' win. David Connolly scored one and made two – for Dean Hammond and Rickie Lambert – and is clearly far too good for the third tier of English football.

Hutchings had him at Wigan and warned of his threat beforehand, sadly he was proved right.

The striker was the difference, even if the Saddlers midfield were overrun at times, but the hosts' start gave rise to a brighter afternoon.

Darren Byfield's header glanced the post early on but, goal frames aside, Walsall never seriously tested Bartosz Bialkowski and they were made to pay when Southampton took the lead with a goal of sheer simplicity.

Lloyd James's ball caught out Netan Sansara and Mark Hughes but Connolly's finish was pure class. From then the Saddlers tried to resist but the Saints' extra quality told.

James prodded wide after Hughes's poor clearance before Connolly turned provider when his shot was unfortunately deflected to Hammond who couldn't miss.

Two down at half time gave the game a lopsided scoreline and the Saddlers needed an immediate response.

It was something which eluded them as the Saints continued their impressive performance. Manny Smith's weak header aside the hosts couldn't muster a clear cut chance before Southampton made it 3-0.

Connolly, the Saddlers' tormentor-in-chief, fed Lambert and League One's top scorer clinically found the corner on 65 minutes.

Byfield struck his 100th career goal 60 seconds later but there was no way back.

Adam Lallana was off target, Radhi Jaidi headed wide and Clayton Ince thwarted Michial Antonio as Saints continued to carry the greater threat.

Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit to being beaten by the better team.

Southampton were just that. But there haven't been many better than Walsall this season and now is the time to prove it.

By Nick Mashiter.