Levein praises defence

Last updated : 06 November 2005 By Bmr
Another 2 points dropped or a good well earned draw ?, the jury is split at the moment however Levein appeared happy with the point and another clean sheet, speaking after the match Levein said

"I thought that we played well in spells. We defended exceptionally well and their two strikers will be as quick as anything we come up against in the Championship this season.

"Their forwards are in form and we restricted them to very few opportunities.

"Our work over the next couple of weeks will need to be on the attacking side of things, although Antti Niemi has made three fantastic saves today. I certainly won't be buying him a drink after the game.

"While I want us to win all our home games I also realise that Southampton are a decent side and they will be one of the top teams come the end of the season.

"I don't like not getting three points at home, but we have a fairly young squad and we have to take the positives out of the game.

"The defensive side of things gives us something to build on and I feel more comfortable in the knowledge that we look as though we are going to be extremely difficult to beat. That's the first stage to get to with any team.

"When you are playing against the better defences you need to put them under pressure in the 18-yard box, but I don't feel that we did enough of that today - whether it be from crosses or open play.

"It's not a secret that we have been concentrating recently on tightening things up at the back and making sure we do the basic things properly, because we were losing too many goals at the start of the season and dropping too many points. We are a different animal now."