Harry Redknapp was full of praise for Antti Niemi after the Saints keeper dealt brilliantly with his first real action of the season.

Despite Saints not picking up as many wins as they might have done so far, Niemi has been fairly redundant thanks to some good defending.

However, he had to be on his toes against Wolves where he made two blinding saves to remind everybody of his class.

Redknapp, right, said: "He's one of the best goalkeepers playing in this country, let alone this league. He's enjoyed it here and, though there was talk of Celtic wanting him in the summer, they got a good keeper and it was good for us.

"He's not had a lot to do this season. We've never been under much pressure.

"The only time he touched it against Hull was to get it out of the back of the net and that's the way it's been."

The problem for Redknapp, though, is not in defence but in attack.

His squad have been struggling to score all season, and that's been the difference between drawing and winning .

Though Saints have only lost three league games all season - only leaders Reading have lost less - they have drawn a staggering 12 out of 20 games. No Championship side has drawn more, though second-bottom Brighton have also drawn 12.

Saints, though, have only won five - which is why Stoke have lost SEVEN more games than Redknapp's side but sit four points above them because they have won FIVE more.

Redknapp added: "I can't sit here and say we've been struggling or can't win because that's not the case.

"We've battered so many teams.

"But Nigel Quashie, the best midfielder in this league, is my top scorer with four goals and that's where we're short.

"You've never seen anybody work harder than Brett Ormerod did here.

"His work rate was incredible, unbelievable, but he needs a goal."

Ormerod has only scored one league goal, at Derby in September, in nine starts and two bench appearances this season.