After the win against Hull last weekend Gregory picked the same starting XI. Paul Jones was in goal behind Bignot, Stewart, Rehman and Rose. Rowlands, Bircham, Bailey and Cook lined up in midfield with Blackstock and Ray Jones up front. Gallen returned to the bench and there was also a place for Chelsea reserve team skipper Jimmy Smith. 

Rangers started the game in the worst possible way as Southampton took the lead with what must have been the games first attack. Gareth Bale and Rudi Skacel worked an opening on the left and the latter sent in a cross in the direction of Jermaine Wright. The right sided midfielder was in acres of space on the edge of the box and he sent a crisp side footed volley at goal. Jones looked to have it easily covered until Damion Stewart stuck out a hock and deflected it just enough to take the R’s keeper out of the equation. 

Southampton were all over Rangers like a rash now and the defending was already pretty desperate even at this early stage. After the good work of last week there seemed to have been a relapse to the panicky play so often seen under Waddock. Rehman blocked an effort from Bradley Wright-Phillips before Bale got an opportunity to show his ability with a dead ball. 

The young Welsh left back had a chance twenty five yards from goal after Bircham had felled Mario Licka. The shot was whipped over the wall and looked to be dipping against the base of the post before Jones plunged low to his left and diverted the ball behind for a corner. Despite the almost contact pressure from the home side Rangers created a fantastic chance to equalise after a typically weaving run from Cook. 

The left winger drifted infield skipping past three opponents before feeding the ball into the path of Rowlands who was in acres of space. Rowly’s first touch wasn’t as good as it should have been and it meant he was stretching at he struck the shot. Instead of going low and across the keeper he went high at his near post and Davis saved with ease. 

Matthew Rose was forced out of the game after twenty two minutes after a heavy collision. To this point Rose hadn’t looked up for the battle so there weren’t too many sad faces amongst the 2,500 Rangers fans massed behind the goal. Pat Kanyuka came on and slotted in at centre back with Rehman moving to the right and Bignot to the left. The back four that had stood strong last week was now back and immediately they seemed much stronger. 

Rasiak had a chance to score a second when he decided to attack a ball rather than launch one of his comedy tumbles in an attempt to con referee D’Urso. His header was gathered easily by Jones and the R’s keeper was in action again moments later after yet another freekick was conceded twenty five yards out. 

This time Bale rolled it into the path of Skacel and his shot took a wicked deflection off of the blocker and spun wildly at goal. It seemed to be drifting wide but Jones wasn’t to know and once again got down low to his left to palm it behind. The more solid footing at the back meant that Rangers could now try and do some good work going the other way and they launched a sweeping move that brought the equaliser. 

Rowlands got the ball on the right flank and smashed a raking Glenn Hoddle style ball onto the foot of Cook wide on the left. Cookie went at full back Makin and after the ball bounced off the former Sunderland mans shin he delivered a delicate cross between the centre backs. Blackstock’s instincts came to the fore and he timed his run perfectly before planting a delicate diving header past Davis. The former Saint didn’t celebrate but his heart must have been bursting out of his chest. 

Five minutes before half time the game was turned on its head thanks to some brilliant opportunism from Ray Jones. Bircham pumped a hopeful ball up the line and there seemed to be little danger as Kelvin Davis tried to shepherd the ball out of play. Jones didn’t let him settle though and managed to chase him down and hook the ball away from him. From the acutest of angles Giant Ray slotted the ball into the gaping net to send the R’s fans into a frenzy. 

The half time whistle brought a great roar of approval from the Rangers support, seeing the team turn around a deficit has been something that hadn’t happened for an absolute age but everyone was well aware that there was still a bloody long way to go! 

Gregory used the break to galvanise his troops still further and the team that came out had a steely eyed determination about them. Rangers seemed content to allow Saints possession in midfield areas in the knowledge that when the ball came into the box someone would be on hand to tidy things up. Kanyuka was heading and hammering anything that came near him and his dominance was spreading throughout the back four. Stewart suddenly seemed a yard quicker and was flying into his headers and Rehman looked almost a natural at right back. 

Bignot produced a brilliant interception to deny Wright-Phillips after the son of the odious Ian escaped the attentions of the centre backs. The little full back charged across from his berth on the left to nod the ball away for a corner and avert the danger. 

Burley brought diminutive winger Nathan Dyer into the game to try and expose Bignot for pace. Wright-Phillips forced Jones into a simple save as he volleyed a ball into the floor that looped up and needed tipping round. 

As he did against Hull, Gregory freshened up the middle of the park after an hour as Bircham and Bailey made way for Lomas and Smith. Gregory seems to be sending his central pair out with instructions to run themselves to water for an hour knowing that he has the fresh legs on the bench. Bircham had been excellent in there again and the amount of encouragement he gave to his team mates was great to see. Young Bailey had not been great in the first half but looked to have grown into the game in the second before he was withdrawn. 

Damion Stewart should have grabbed his second goal in three games when he ran in unmarked to meet a Lee Cook corner. The big Jamaican should have done better with his effort but he only managed to send the ball over Davis’ bar much to his obvious annoyance. Rowly then lashed a freekick over the top without causing any undue panic for Davis. 

At the other end the Rangers defence was still standing strong and trying to give Jones as little work to do as possible. Burley switched to 4-3-3 and threw Kenwyne Jones on for the ludicrously names Pele. He forced Paul Jones to save his first effort at the back stick following a Skacel set piece. The change in formation for Saints had allowed Rangers to get more of the ball now and they had three gilt edged chances to wrap up the game. 

Rangers worked an opening down the right and Rowlands played a ball into the path of debutant Jimmy Smith. The Chelsea youngster didn’t need to look to see who was in the box he just sent a superb ball fizzing through the six yard box. Blackstock arrived at the back stick and Baird managed to hack the ball against him as he ran in. Davis looked on helplessly as the ball flew just over the bar. 

Rehman launched an athletic raid from right back and weaved his way inside three challenges before lashing a wild left footer into the R’s fans. Cook then had a chance to fire a freekick at goal but he failed to get it over the wall and the ball was deflected away to safety.  

The Saints fans were getting ever more desperate now, they all went up for a pen as Kanyuka threw his face in the way of a shot from distance and they were also after one after Stewart killed another limp shot on his chest and hammered the ball to safety. The defence was standing firm though and when the final whistle blew the result was no more than any of the players deserved. 

This was a performance that was big on heart, big on fight and big on ability. In a very short space of time Gregory has managed to instil a confidence in the players that has been lacking for a very long time. The defence was immense after the first half an hour and the presence of Big Pat seemed to be the catalyst for this. For a 19 year old he has massive presence and must surely be handed a starting berth now. 

The midfield worked tirelessly all afternoon and we now seem to have a front two that will cause people genuine problems. They both have a great first touch and the ability to bring team mates into the game. More importantly they have an understanding that is vital to any good strike partnership.  

The international break probably isn’t what is needed now that we have some momentum going. It may allow Gregory to dip further into the loan market and it may allow a few of the crocks to get some fitness back. Roll on Norwich.

Man of the Match – Pat Kanyuka. Having seen this monster come through the youth and reserve ranks it is no surprise to me how he performed. The confidence he exudes flow through the whole back four and he must surely have done enough to nail down a starting spot.

simon@qprnet.com