Although this was always only going to be a friendly match it was still a yardstick as to the level Saints will need to reach to progress in the Europa League against Vitesse.

Being the last friendly game before the serious business of the Europa League starts this was always going to be a barometer of sorts of the standard Saints can expect next week against Vitesse. Feyenoord finished just above our Europa league opponents in the Eridivisie and with scouts from the Arnhem club in attendance it was a good chance to send a message to them.

Maarten Stekelenburg, Cédric Soares, José Fonte (c), Maya Yoshida, Matt Targett, Jordy Clasie (James Ward-Prowse 61), Victor Wanyama, Steven Davis, Dušan Tadić (Harrison Reed 75), Sadio Mané (Juanmi 61), Graziano Pellè (Shane Long 82)

Ronald Koeman was certainly taking it seriously and taking into account injuries put out a side that could certainly be classed as his strongest giving an indication of his thinking.

He only used four substitutes in the second half and was clearly using this as a dress rehearsal for the games with Arnhem.

The pleasing aspect is that despite already missing a player or two through injury and still not having signed the final piece or two in the jigsaw, we still look to have depth as was shown by the quality of the substitutes, JWP & Shane Long are not out of place in the starting line up, Juanmi is experienced in Spain and Harrison Reed will be pushing his claims even more in the coming season, unused subs included Cuco Martina and Jay Rodriguez who Koeman has been careful to bring back properly rather than rush.

So Saints look in better shape than next season with only another central defender really needed and it seems that Koeman has again got them well drilled judging by the manner in which they despatched feyenoord on their own patch.

Pelle scored on his own stomping ground just before the break and it was again Dusan Tadic who was the provider as he has been in much of this pre season.

Yoshida headed a second on the hour made the game comfortable as the Japanese central defender showed again that competition for places can only inspire players to better things,

The scoring was completed with 7 minutes to go after Shane Long combined with Juanmi who finished with aplomb into the bottom corner.

Of course this was a friendly and therefore not conclusive, but it was a good barometer for the standard that Vitesse will be next week and that is as good a rule of thumb as we can get at this stage.

All in all a good run out for Saints who are getting into their stride as a team, the squad is stronger and will hopefully be strengthened further and a few players have given Ronald Koeman food for thought, the real work now begins.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 13:37 - Jul 24 A good work out but not to get carried away. We were dominant throughout although Feyenoord clearly were not match fit, many of their players were visibly out of puff even before the first half ended. From our point of view there was still far too much aimless keepy-ball square passing followed by hopeful long balls up to front runners which rarely succeeded and still no real threat on the opponents goal in the eighteen yard box. It's a paradox that needs solving, our defence can pass and keep the ball all day long but our forwards seem unable to have such authority on the ball in the final third. Satisfactory at this stage of the season perhaps but Koeman will be concerned that many of the flaws in our play of last season have carried over into this. Hope Matt Target and Dusan Tadic recover quickly, both appeared to pick up fairly nasty strains. Tadic just doesn't look too robust to me.

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BoondockSaint added 13:59 - Jul 24 Just like the investment ads: "Prior performance is no indication of future performance" Friendlies mean nothing.(Why they count in World Cup standings is beyond me) Keep this in mind: NY Red Bulls beat Chelsea 4-2 earlier this week - does that mean Chelsea are in for a relegation battle?
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Jesus_02 added 14:16 - Jul 24 More than anything im interested in how Stecklinberge got on? Anyone?
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SaintGeorge added 16:40 - Jul 24 "So Saints look in better shape than next season with only another central defender really needed " Lets hope this doesn't turn out to be prophetic :o|
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