Saints Beat Hull

Southampton handled Hull, Jay-Jay Okocha's current club, this morning beating them 4-0. Stern John had a hat trick for the Saints. After Tuesday 0-0 draw at Wednesday at St. Mary's and last weekends 2-1- win at Leicster, Saints find themselves 3 points out a playoff spot. 2 shutout in a row and 1 goal allowed in 3 games may not seem like something to be excited over but Southampton is a squad literally devoid of defenders that can play right now. Christian Dailly returned to West Ham early from his loan at St. Mary's. Defenders Claus Lundekvam (ankle), Wayne Thomas (Achilles), Chris Makin (hip), Darren Powell (calf), Phil Ifil (ankle) and Alexander Ostlund (hamstring) are all out injured. That's right, Southampton are missing 6 defenders to injury.

Injuries aren't the main problem facing George Burley and Southampton in trying to get themselves back into the playoff race in the Championship. The main one is finances. They had to sell Gareth Bale and Chris Baird in the off-season to help make ends meet. Without a new investor, come Boxing Day Burley will have to be deciding which players to sell to help balance the books yet again. More on Southampton's poor finacial situation here.