Southampton handed reality check vs Bolton as Daniel Peretz laments dropped points
Everything pre-match pointed in the direction of Southampton clinching another comprehensive home win in the Championship this season against Bolton Wanderers.
Indeed, the Trotters had given up 18 league goals when travelling to St. Mary's, and the home masses would have been anticipating a fumble from Gavin Bazunu at some point during the match, knowing his error-prone ways.
Instead, though, Bolton hung on to collect a determined 0-0 draw, with the Saints very frustrated at the full-time whistle by their uncharacteristic blank in front of goal.
Tonda Eckert's men weren't helped by an obvious handball being missed, which would have given them a golden penalty opportunity to break the deadlock.
But, Bolton did enough, arguably, to warrant a share of the spoils, with Daniel Peretz having to stay alert throughout for the hosts, to ensure Steven Schumacher's visitors didn't nick all three points.
Peretz can be happy with his individual performance, looking back, but the ex-Bayern Munich stopper would lament the dropped points, overall, when speaking to the media after the frustrating stalemate.
Peretz's fiery post-match comments
Peretz would've rejoined the Saints ranks in the summer with one goal in mind - clinching promotion.
Speaking with BBC Radio Solent after the 0-0 draw, the Israel international has very bold aspirations in mind, with Peretz wanting Eckert and Co. to be in the title conversation, away from just settling for the playoffs.
But, if they want to be in that top two conversation, next to the likes of West Ham United and Swansea City, more unsatisfactory draws like the one stomached on Saturday cannot be tolerated.
He said passionately: "We want to win the league, so we have to win games like that."
Indeed, if they are to make up the gap between themselves and West Ham in second - which stands at five points - more irritating stalemates like they one that had to be swallowed on Saturday won't cut the mustard.
But, the performance levels will need to be raised to ensure consistent wins are on the menu, as no Championship match is a guaranteed victory.
Saints can't get complacent in their promotion push
While Bolton might be tipped to be in the relegation conversation come next May, the attacking performance was still way off the standards expected at St. Mary's this season.
They can't get complacent, expecting teams to just roll over, with Lewis Dobbin missing two big chances against the Trotters.
On another day, Dobbin would have converted one of these golden opportunities, and we would be talking about another 1-0 win.
It's these fine margins that can make or break a promotion ascent, and if the South Coast side do become complacent, and more wasteful performances creep in, they can kiss goodbye to a spot among the automatic promotion few.
Peretz's desire to be near the top of the league will come from the fact he has very rarely tasted the agony of a defeat, or the disappointing end outcome of a draw, at St. Mary's, with only three Championship losses next to his name, playing under Eckert.
He will hope his motiviating words have the right impact on the likes of Dobbin, who struggled to get going against Bolton, with their automatic promotion credentials put right under the microscope this coming weekend, as they travel to the Hammers, funnily enough, for a showdown that should be entertaining for the neutral.
it will be very nail-biting for the Saints away fans, that's for sure, as the fans making the trip to London pray for a statement win that shows they can be in the title fight, like their reliable number one daringly suggested.
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