EVENTS over the Atlantic have provided ample evidence that a strong collective spirit can sometimes achieve more than a disparate group of more talented individuals.

By no rational analysis should Europe beat the United States so regularly in the Ryder Cup.

Yet they do it because for three days every two years, golf suddenly becomes a team sport.

It was a similar sense of togetherness which helped Gordon Strachan's Saints during the 2002/3 season when they finished eighth in the Premiership and reached the FA Cup final.

Rumours of dressing-room unrest were somewhat exaggerated under Paul Sturrock, but there were certainly murmurings of discontent which would surely have affected performances, sub-consciously at least.

While the results under new head coach Steve Wigley may have so far been disappointing, there has been a definite improvement in performances in the past two games.

Saints are still below where they would expect to be, but the signs were far more encouraging yesterday against Newcastle and last week against Charlton than in the defeats to Aston Villa, Bolton and Chelsea.

Flowing quality football has yet to arrive consistently, but a rugged determination and spirit is becoming more and more evident.

Any player-by-player comparison of Saints and Newcastle, would hardly give much cause of optimism.

But through sheer effort and work-rate, Wigley's men largely matched their opponents, particularly in midfield where Rory Delap and David Prutton held their own against more illustrious opponents.

It gave Saints a platform from which they had every chance of victory.

They didn't take it, yet the positive is that defensively things do still look better than a few weeks ago.

The negative, of course, is that Newcastle were vulnerable, but able to hold on for victory.

Wigley's next move will be interesting.

In his opening four games, he has remained consistent in team selections, particularly with a midfield quartet of Fabrice Fernandes, Delap, Prutton and Anders Svensson behind James Beattie and Kevin Phillips.

There are signs that this continuity will eventually pay-off, but how long will Wigley wait?

Only six games have gone this season and while it is far too early for Wigley to consider major changes, he will be well aware that his team must soon repay his faith with a greater points return.

The squad is large and there are certainly plenty of options, but for now it would seem Wigley will continue to show faith in the players he has so far picked.

That consistency on the field is important.

Off it, the players and supporters would surely be helped immeasurably by the swift resolution of the question-mark surrounding Wigley's own eligibility to continue as head coach beyond December.