WEDNESDAY's pre-season friendly was certainly a memorable one. The brawl between Southampton and Lazio players will be remembered more than the result and performance.

That being said, I thought Saints matched up well against a strong team in Lazio. Marco Baroni's side are one of the best Italy have to offer and we did well to hold our own.

Before his sending-off, I thought Charly Alcaraz was performing well. He looked closer to his best and reminded me of the player we saw when he first arrived.

I was also impressed by summer signing Ronnie Edwards. This was the first time I have seen him play for Saints live and I really liked what I saw.

He looked assured on the ball and didn't shirk a tackle all evening. His passing range was eye-catching and highlighted the reason Russell Martin was so keen to bring him in.

Ben Brereton Diaz took his goal really well. He cut in off the left and bent the ball into the corner - something I hope we will see him do a lot this season.

It will have done him a lot of good to grab an early goal, albeit in a friendly. Strikers are often confidence players, so to break your duck in your first start is a big boost.

The team we saw against Lazio was quite a young one. Russell looked to give a number of the new signings and fringe players a chance to impress ahead of the league season.

Beyond those mentioned above, I think quite a few players helped their chances of starting games this year with their performances.

The challenge for them will be to replicate the levels shown on Wednesday in the Premier League in front of capacity stadiums.

I can remember playing with players who were fantastic in training but their talent didn't always transfer onto the pitch when the pressure was on.

I would have liked to have seen a team which resembled our most likely starting lineup for the opening game at Newcastle, but perhaps that is what we will see against Getafe on Saturday.

Given that we are so close to the start of the season, I thought now would be the time to allow players to gel once again before the serious football starts.

The game against Lazio was our biggest litmus test ahead of our Premier League return. The quality in their squad is akin to what we will face week to week in the top flight.

I will speak in more depth about my feelings ahead of the new season next week, but I must say I'm very excited for the return of league football.

Pre-season has passed by very quickly. It still feels like we were celebrating our Wembley success only last week.

And even though we have had a summer of sport, the Olympics and EUROs have helped quench our thirst in the absence of Saints games, I'd be lying if I said I haven't been salivating at the prospect of regular football being back on the calendar.

On Thursday I went along and joined in a session with the Eastleigh FC Walking Football team. It was the first time I've ever tried walking football and I must say I was impressed by the sport.

It's great that people who can no longer play football in its more traditional form get a chance to stay active while playing the sport they love.

I actually managed to score a goal, and with my right foot no less!

Have a good weekend all,

Franny.