Southampton

Mansfield 1-0 Southampton
Managerless Mansfield bounced back from boss Carlton Palmer's resignation to stun Championship side Southampton and progress in the Carling Cup. Giles Coke scored the winner after 68 minutes, taking Simon Brown's pass to beat hesitant keeper Paul Smith. Kenwyne Jones and Dexter Blackstock missed chances for the visitors, with veteran keeper Kevin Pressman defiant. Saints pressed in the closing stages, but the Stags held on to give caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff a vital victory. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mansfield caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff: "I was delighted for the players. After the weekend (when Carlton Palmer quit as boss) I challenged them and they responded in the right way. "They showed the passion and commitment I wanted. You could see the confidence creeping into their play. "We played particularly well in the second half. I thought the fans were top class and made a great atmosphere." Southampton boss Harry Redknapp: "In real football like this you are put under pressure. "Mansfield worked their socks off and some of my players found it difficult. "It was a poor performance. There were no shining lights out there for us." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mansfield: Pressman, Peers, Day, Baptiste, Talbot, Jelleyman, McLachlan, Coke, Brown, Barker, Birchall. Subs Not Used: Uhlenbeek, Buxton, White, Rundle, Littlejohn. Booked: McLachlan. Goals: Coke 68. Southampton: Smith, Cranie, Kenton, Mills, Baird, McCann, Delap, Folly (Walcott 72), Dyer, Jones, Blackstock (McGoldrick 81). Subs Not Used: McNeil, Tejera, Gillett. Booked: Kenton. Att: 3,739 Ref: B Curson (Leicestershire).

Redknapp charged after dismissal
Harry Redknapp has been charged by the Football Association after being sent to the stands during Southampton's 2-2 draw against Derby on Sunday. The Saints manager had disputed referee Nigel Miller's decision to let Derby's Inigo Idiakez retake a penalty after Antti Niemi had saved his attempt. He has been charged with using foul or abusive language to an official. Redknapp, who insists he did not swear, could face a fine or a touchline ban if he is found guilty. Shortly after Idiakez had equalised from the penalty spot at Pride Park, Miller sent off Saints defender Tomasz Hajto for a second booking - one of seven yellow cards shown to Saints players. Andrew Davies then put the Rams ahead but Southampton regained their composure to earn a point through Ricardo Fuller's late equaliser. Redknapp sent number two Dave Bassett to the post-match press conference for fear of talking himself into more trouble, but he did speak about the game later. "The referee has done us, he had a terrible time of it," said Redknapp. "Antti made a great save but the lad checked his run, which is gamesmanship. He should have been booked for that. "It was hard to stay disciplined when you've got a referee doing what he was doing. I ended up losing my head with him because he was having a nightmare. "I just asked the fourth official why he had made him take it again and said it was 'diabolical', and the silly little man has called the referee over."

Southampton 0-0 Reading
Draw specialists Southampton kept second-placed Reading at bay for a share of the points at St Mary's. Saints captain Nigel Quashie should have scored in the opening seconds but missed badly from close range. Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann made a string of outstanding saves to deny Kenwyne Jones and Kamil Kosowski. Reading, who had a strong claim for a penalty rejected, missed several good chances and were grateful for Ricardo Fuller's late miss for Southampton. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton manager Harry Redknapp: "I have never seen a game of football where one team has dominated the other so much. "We were all over them and kept missing chance after chance. But what more can I do? Our attitude and general play was outstanding but we can't score. "Nigel Quashie broke through but shot wide. What can I do about that?" Reading boss Steve Coppell: "We were under pressure most of the game but it's a tremendous compliment to my lads we held in there," he said. "The back four and goalkeeper were powerful and strong and I am pleased we came away with a point. "They had a lot of the play but there were times when I did think we could nick something." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton: Niemi, Hajto, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Oakley, Wise, Quashie, Kosowski (Pahars 71), Jones (Ormerod 88), Fuller. Subs Not Used: Smith, Cranie, Delap. Booked: Quashie. Reading: Hahnemann, Murty (Hunt 37), Ingimarsson, Sonko, Makin, Little, Harper, Gunnarsson, Convey, Lita (Obinna 82), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Oster, Baradji, Federici. Booked: Little, Doyle. Att: 24,946 Ref: Graham Poll (England).

Blayney deal set to be extended
Southampton goalkeeper Alan Blayney is set to extend his loan spell with Brighton for a further two months. Blayney's first spell ends after the Seagulls play Cardiff on Saturday week. But he is set to be offered the chance to be first choice at the Withdean when fellow loanee Wayne Henderson returns to Aston Villa next month. Blayney also had a loan spell at Brighton last season and was keen to make the move permanent but Southampton wanted him back at St Mary's.

Bassett to leave Southampton post
Southampton caretaker boss Dave Bassett will be leaving the club when George Burley takes over as head coach. Bassett and Dennis Wise took temporary charge after Harry Redknapp left, but the Saints have chosen a management team of Burley and Sir Clive Woodward. Bassett told BBC Sport: "The chairman spoke to me to say I hadn't got the job. He's going to talk to me but I won't be figuring in the plans." Wise will remain with the club in a playing capacity. Burley will be unveiled on Friday as the head coach, with Woodward moving up to become director of football. Bassett made it clear to chairman Rupert Lowe he was interested in taking on a role alongside Wise. But he said former England rugby coach Woodward, who only joined the club in the summer as performance director, was always going to get that role. "He has been looking for that since day one so that's not at all a surprise," said Bassett. "When Harry was there he couldn't do it but once Harry went it was always going to be that way. "No manager was going to get the job unless he agreed to work with Clive Woodward. "George will be in and Clive will be doing what he wants and I'll be surplus to requirements. That's the way football is, it's one of those businesses. "The chairman knew I was interested in the job and so was Dennis. He obviously decided to come up with George. "George is a good man. I like him - he did well at Ipswich, Derby and Hearts. He's a good football man but it's going to be a difficult job as all of them are." Despite being overlooked, Bassett says he will leave the club on good terms and will be looking to get back into the game when the right opportunity comes up. "I've enjoyed it there," he added. "It's a good club, it's got good facilities and I enjoyed a good working relationship with the players. "The players wanted Dennis and myself to take over but the chairman decided not - that's his perogative. Life goes on. "It's certainly been an experience and a rollercoaster ride as they say. "I enjoy being in football and if something comes up that suits me I'll have a go, if not you just have to get on and see what happens. "There's a couple of little things that might materialise and develop for me."

Saints chairman stands by actions
Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe insists he is doing his best for the ailing club following further protests from the St Mary's fans. Saints' supporters staged protests against Lowe after Wednesday's goalless draw with Crystal Palace. "I have been accused of not caring to asset stripping - but that is simply not true," Lowe said in his programme notes before the match. "The money we have received for players has been put back into the club." The Saints chairman added: "I can reassure the fans that I have only ever had the club's interests at heart. "Whatever their opinion, I have never done anything but what I believed to be best for the club. "I can understand their feelings and I have said before it is better they target me than the players. "I am the visible head and an easy target and I accept that. It goes with the territory." The sale of teenage striker Theo Walcott to Arsenal and Southampton's 15th league placing in the Championship has initiated the demonstrations. The supporters are also less than impressed with Sir Clive Woodward's prominent role at the club following Harry Redknapp's departure.

Premiership strugglers Sunderland have signed midfielder Rory Delap from Championship side Southampton on a free transfer, reports Sir Stanley. Delap, who has been capped 11 times by the Republic of Ireland, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Sunderland. The 29-year-old was Saints' record signing when he joined the club from Derby County for £4m in July 2001. However, he would not have featured against Middlesbrough on Tuesday anyway because of an Achilles injury.

Saints ponder loan keeper option
Southampton manager George Burley says he may have to bring in a goalkeeper on loan to cover for Bartosz Bialkowski. The Polish stopper faces a spell on the sidelines with the knee injury he sustained against Newcastle. Burley told the club website: "It looks as though Bart will be out for a number of weeks so we will probably have to get someone in on loan. "He's had a scan which shows damage to the ligaments and the specialist will decide if he requires surgery." Paul Smith is the club's only other experienced keeper and he is currently struggling with a sore elbow. Striker Dexter Blackstock had to take over in goal for the last 10 minutes of the 1-0 defeat as Saints had already used three substitutes.

Jones set to sign new Saints deal
Southampton striker Kenwyne Jones is set to sign a new three-year deal. Jones' extended contract would see him remain at St. Mary's until the summer of 2009. The 21-year-old grabbed his fourth goal of the season in the 3-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and has impressed under new boss George Burley. The Trinidad and Tobago international signed for the Saints from W Connection in May 2004 and he has been on loan at Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Football mourns death of Osgood
Chelsea and Southampton legend Peter Osgood has died at the age of 59. Osgood collapsed while attending a family funeral service on Wednesday at Slough crematorium before he was taken to Wexham Park Hospital. The forward made 380 appearances for the Blues and scored 150 goals, helping his side win the 1970 FA Cup and 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup. He joined the Saints in 1974 and guided the club to victory over Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final. Osgood was also a member of England's 1970 World Cup squad and made four appearances for the national side. The Football Asssociation said that there will be a minute's silence before England's friendly against Uruguay at Anfield on Wednesday. Both Chelsea and Southampton also paid tribute to their former star. "Affection and esteem for the man the fans titled the King of Stamford Bridge could not be higher. Today is a very sad day indeed," said Chelsea in a statement on their website. The Saints plan to hold a minute's silence and players will wear black armbands for Saturday's Championship game against Coventry in recognition of both Osgood and former striker Charlie Wayman, who also passed away this week. Tommy Docherty, the manager who gave Osgood his Chelsea debut in 1964, praised the player's bravery. "He was a great lad and brought a breath of fresh air every time he came into the dressing room," he told Sir Stanley. "Peter had world-class skill. He was a big lad, great in the air and as brave as a lion. He had all the skill in the world and a great sense of humour." Former Chelsea defender Ron "Chopper" Harris paid the ultimate tribute to Osgood. "People will always say the best player at Chelsea has been Gianfranco Zola but I would say Peter was the greatest," he said. "He was such strong player, a big fellow who scored goals and scared defenders." Osgood signed amateur forms for Chelsea in 1964 at the age of 17 before agreeing to a professional contract, scoring twice on his debut against Workington in a fifth-round League Cup tie replay. The crafty forward also scored in every round of the 1970 FA Cup including the replay of the final that the Blues won 2-1 at the expense of Leeds. The following year Osgood's Chelsea beat Spanish giants Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners' Cup. The Windsor-born star also scored for the Blues in the final of the 1972 League Cup final, but his side went down 2-1 to Stoke City. Osgood came close to joining Stoke after talks with manager Tony Waddington but Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy persuaded the 27-year-old to go to the south coast after a transfer fee of £275,000 was agreed with the Blues. He enjoyed more success in the FA Cup as the Saints overcame the might of United 1-0 with a goal from Bobby Stokes. Osgood tried his luck in the United States with Philadelphia Fury before coming back to Stamford Bridge for a short second spell with Chelsea. Many were surprised that he appeared only four times for England's senior squad. His international debut came against Belgium in 1970 before going on to make substitute appearances at the World Cup.

Southampton 1-1 Coventry
Don Hutchison's 88th-minute penalty saved a point for Coventry in a drab draw at Southampton. In a dull first half, Andrew Surman missed the best chance, firing wide from close range. Polish striker Grzegorz Rasiak looked as if he had won it for the Saints with a header with nine minutes left. That looked like being enough to secure three points but Claus Lundekvam brought down Dele Adebola and Hutchison smashed the penalty home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton manager George Burley: We had a very young side out and perhaps they showed a bit of naivety at the end. "Coventry were chasing the game and kept on lumping long balls into the box, which we should have been able to deal with. We sat too deep and that cost us in the end. "The average age of our team is a good 10 years younger than theirs and we are learning all the time but as long as we keep progressing that's all I can ask." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coventry manager Micky Adams: "I thought Claus Lundkevam's tackle was a penalty. "But I am disappointed we did not come away with all three points. "We were the better side for phases in the game but lacked a cutting edge." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton: Smith, Ostlund (Potter 11), Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Brennan, Dyer, Chaplow, Wright, Surman, Rasiak, Jones (Blackstock 45). Subs Not Used: Miller, Powell, Madsen. Goals: Rasiak 81. Coventry: Fulop, Whing, Page, Shaw, Hall, Scowcroft, Wise (Impey 86), Doyle, Morrell (Thornton 65), Adebola, John (Hutchison 74). Subs Not Used: Ince, Williams. Booked: Shaw. Goals: Hutchison 88 pen. Att: 21,980 Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Crewe 1-1 Southampton
Luke Rogers earned a point for relegation-haunted Crewe against a Southampton side content to leave Gresty Road with a draw. Peter Madsen put Saints ahead, controlling Grzegorz Rasiak's cross to score his first goal for the club. Rasiak also struck a post as Southampton looked to turn their superiority into a victory. Rodgers equalised when he latched on to Gareth Taylor's through ball to fire past Saints keeper Paul Smith. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crewe boss Dario Gradi: "We could have done with three points of course but every point now is important, especially in games you go behind. "We looked every bit as good as Southampton and if anyone was going to win, it was us. "We had a bit of luck with them hitting the bar but after that we had the better chances." Southampton boss George Burley: "That's two successive games where we should have won but we've got two draws. "We played some good stuff, created numerous chances but we've only come away with one point. "We were in command, got our noses in front but let it slip. One goal is never enough and it was a bad goal to give away." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crewe: Turnbull, Otsemobor, Bougherra, Foster, Billy Jones, Steve Jones, Lunt, Grant (Vaughan 69), Bell, Taylor, Rodgers. Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Johnson, McCready, Higdon. Goals: Rodgers 78. Southampton: Smith, Baird, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Brennan, Wright, Chaplow, Surman, Madsen, Rasiak, Blackstock (Kosowski 55). Subs Not Used: Miller, Powell, Dyer, Potter. Goals: Madsen 61. Att: 6,588. Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Charlton to lose Snodin to Saints
Charlton reserve-team boss Glynn Snodin will leave the Premiership club to become first-team coach at Southampton. Snodin will work under Saints head coach George Burley at the Championship outfit in a career-orientated move. "While Southampton are a league lower it's a step up in terms of first-team coaching," he told the Addicks website. "That's the only reason behind the move," added Snodin, who will start after his last match in charge of Charlton reserves on Monday. Snodin has led Charlton to the FA Premier Reserve League (South) championship in 2004 and 2005. He added: "Over the last six months or so I've had the feeling in the back of my mind that I wanted to challenge myself again, to see how far I can go."

Southampton 1-3 Watford
Darius Henderson's brace helped Watford climb to third in the Championship and increased discontent at Southampton. Skipper Gavin Mahon gave the Hornets a perfect start on three minutes when he capitalised on poor defending to score. Henderson had chances to double the lead before tapping in Marlon King's cross on 68 minutes and the pair combined again four minutes later. A close-range header killed off the game and Peter Madsen's late goal did little to lift the gloom at St Mary's. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton manager George Burley: "We gave away a soft early goal and struggled for an hour to try and get back in to the game. "To let in three at home is a big disappointment. "It shows there is much work for us to do before we can say we have a decent team here again." Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd: "This is exactly where we wanted to be. "The promotion race is reaching a crucial time and I like to think we are reaching our peak at the best moment with a handful of games to go. "At this stage of the season you talk about character and resilience as qualities and that is what we showed." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton: Smith, Ostlund, Kenton, Higginbotham, Brennan, Baird, Chaplow (Jones 45), Wright (Kosowski 80), Surman, Rasiak, Madsen. Subs Not Used: Miller, Blackstock, Cranie. Goals: Madsen 85. Watford: Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Mackay, Stewart, Eagles (Bangura 67), Mahon, Spring, Young, Henderson (Chambers 90), King. Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Carlisle, McNamee. Booked: DeMerit. Goals: Mahon 3, Henderson 67, 72. Att: 19,202 Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).

Sheff Utd 3-0 Southampton
Sheffield United claimed their first win in five games to re-ignite their hopes of automatic promotion. Two goals in three minutes on the stroke of half-time sealed the win. Phil Jagielka swept home Chris Armstrong's cross for the first before Paul Ifill's low effort doubled the Blades' advantage. Former Saints striker Neil Shipperley netted with a clinical strike after 77 minutes as Southampton failed to battle their way back into the game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United boss Neil Warnock: "The next win was always going to be the big win and it was great to get it under our belt. "Well done to Reading. We've played them twice and we've been the better side in both games, but that just shows what a good team Reading are. "I'm upset that we're not up there but we've had problems they've not had." Southampton boss George Burley said: "We are in a relegation fight and we didn't compete. "As soon as we conceded a goal we became jittery and worried, and in the second half it was men against boys. "After the first goal there was only going to be one winner and if we continue to play like that we will be in trouble." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Short, Unsworth (Montgomery 86), Jagielka, Ifill (Gillespie 73), Tonge, Armstrong, Shipperley, Webber (Akinbiyi 83). Subs Not Used: Dyer, Lucketti. Goals: Jagielka 43, Ifill 45, Shipperley 77. Southampton: Smith, Ostlund, Brennan, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Kosowski (Blackstock 45), Chaplow, Baird, Surman, Madsen (Dyer 82), Jones. Subs Not Used: Potter, Kenton, Miller. Booked: Madsen. Att: 22,824 Ref: A Bates (Staffordshire).

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