Southampton

Burnley 1-1 Southampton
Southampton held on to a point despite Burnley peppering their goal in the second half of their match. The Saints went ahead after 38 seconds when Phil Bardsley turned Alexander Ostlund's cross into his own net. On-loan striker Andy Gray levelled 10 minutes later when he rounded Saints' debutant keeper Kevin Miller before tucking the ball in from an angle. Jon Harley, Chris McCann and James O'Connor all went close for Burnley but Saints secured a crucial point. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "I thought we deserved the three points. "Our second-half performance was very good and their keeper pulled off two excellent saves from Jon Harley and Chris McCann. "I think Alan Mahon's shot, six inches lower, would have beaten any keeper. If Southampton would have scored it would have been on the break." Saints boss George Burley: "Every point is important at this stage," said Burley. "It's very difficult to say but I think you've got to look at 50 points to be safe. There's a lot to play for. "In the first half we played some decent stuff, and I think if we took one of the chances we created we would have gone on to win it." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Bardsley, Duff, Sinclair, Harley, James O'Connor (Hyde 90), McCann, Mahon, Branch, Gray, Ricketts (Lafferty 74). Subs Not Used: Elliott, Garreth O'Connor, Spicer. Goals: Gray 9. Southampton: Miller, Ostlund (Potter 69), Higginbotham, Lundekvam, Kenton, Brennan, Wright, Chaplow, Baird, Madsen (Jones 69), Rasiak. Subs Not Used: Smith, Blackstock, Dyer. Goals: Bardsley 1 og. Att: 10,636 Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Southampton 3-2 Cardiff
A second-half brace from Ricardo Fuller eased Southampton away from the Championship relegation zone. Glenn Loovens hit the bar in a goalless first half, then on 47 minutes Claus Lundekvam got a rare goal, glancing in a header from Jim Brennan's fine cross. Cameron Jerome created chaos and headed an equaliser ahead of Darren Purse. But Fuller scuffed a goal with the aid of a deflection then volleyed in after Jermaine Wright's corner, leaving Purse's late headed goal in vain. The defeat looks to have dealt a fatal blow to the Bluebirds' play-off ambitions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cardiff manager Dave Jones: "I do not think we did ourselves justice, we should have been better, and one or two of us just did not step up to the challenge. "On one hand I am criticising my players - but on the other we have had a fantastic season, we have worked our socks off for 40-odd games, and that is a terrific effort for a squad of our size. "I have injuries all over the pitch, and almost every one of my squad is carrying a knock of some kind. "I'm not giving up just yet; I have just told the players there are still a lot of points to be won. "If we chuck in the towel now, the teams above us start losing, and we are not mentally right to take advantage - then we will kick ourselves." Southampton head coach George Burley: "It was a massive win for us and pushes us closer to safety." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southampton: Miller, Baird, Lundekvam, Kenton, Higginbotham, Madsen (Belmadi 78), Wright, Chaplow, Brennan, Rasiak, Fuller (Jones 80). Subs Not Used: Smith, Dyer, McGoldrick. Booked: Baird. Goals: Lundekvam 47, Fuller 70, 75. Cardiff: Alexander, Ardley, Purse, Loovens (Cox 45), Barker, Koumas, Ledley, Scimeca, Cooper (Boland 78), Jerome, Ndumbu-Nsungu (Ferretti 67). Subs Not Used: Whitley, Weston. Booked: Ndumbu-Nsungu. Goals: Jerome 54, Purse 90. Att: 22,388 Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Lowe maintains he will not leave
Rupert Lowe insists he will not step down as Southampton chairman in the wake of another share sale. Invesco Perpetual sold their significant 9% holding in the club on Monday to an investor - thought to be local engineering magnate Leon Crouch. But Lowe told the club website: "It is not in the club's best interests for me to step down at the moment. "If I go now it will bring instability to the club at the very time when we need it the most."

New investor blames Saints chief
New Southampton investor Leon Crouch has criticised Rupert Lowe's reign at the club's helm, heaping more pressure on the St Mary's chairman. Crouch, who bought a 10% share in the club on Monday, has also hit out at the appointment of director of football Sir Clive Woodward. He said: "I support George Burley and his team and the position we are in is not due to them. "It is down to the chairman, the board of directors and their decisions." The building and engineering magnate continued: "I don't think anyone is happy with how things are going, including the vast majority of supporters." Crouch reserved special criticism for former England rugby coach Woodward, who was appointed last season when the Saints were relegated from the Premiership. He said: "I don't know why we spend £750,000 a year, as I understand it, on someone who knows nothing about football. "It puts added pressure on the manager when you have someone looking over your shoulder like that. "He should have learned in the lower leagues and proved that he could transfer his skills from rugby to football. He is not at a club like Southampton on merit. "All Southampton fans think he should not have been taken on and given the salary he has. "To bring him in in the middle of a relegation battle, alongside Harry Redknapp made no sense at all and you could say the situation is the same this season. "I am a passionate supporter of Southampton Football Club who doesn't like the way we are moving forward and I felt that, as I was in a position to do so, I wanted to get involved and try and make things better." Last week fellow stakeholder Michael Wilde upped his holding to 18%.

Saint George ready for next task
England's patron saint had things pretty easy compared to the tasks facing the current version of Saint George. George Burley would probably love a cushy day slaying fire-breathing beasts, instead the Southampton head coach's to-do list is as long as a dragon's tail. Burley came into a club in turmoil, still writhing from the pain of relegation from the Premiership and Harry Redknapp's discovery of his return-ticket to Portsmouth. The former Ipswich, Derby and Hearts boss's priority was to ensure Saints did not suffer a second successive relegation, but at the same time he had to trim the squad to fit a new financial reality while planning ahead to mount a promotion challenge next season. All of this against a background of media speculation surrounding his role and relationship with Southampton's director of football Sir Clive Woodward, and uncertainty over the future of chairman Rupert Lowe who brought Burley to the club. "When a club comes down from the Premiership, it can be difficult to stabilise," says Burley with understatement. "You have problems on and off the field, it's difficult financially, some clubs change their manager and the fans get frustrated. "You only have to look at clubs like Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City who have slipped down to the third tier. "But what you have to do is face the reality of the situation and face it head on. And then set out to build something that's going to take the club forward." Burley's rebuilding began with a spot of demolition, as he ushered out 16 players and brought eight in during the January transfer window. "When I first came in we had a series of four games in 10 days and that showed me the squad wasn't strong enough. That's why we had to change things. "We sold players for almost £8m and that will give us funds in the summer to increase the size and quality of the squad. "Another reason we had to make a lot of changes in January is that this is the last year of the Premiership parachute payment. Once you lose that, it's difficult to build a squad." Burley faces more decisions in the summer when Matthew Oakley, Marian Pahars, Michael Svensson, Kamil Kosowski and Djemal Belmadi are among seven players out of contract. Oakley, Pahars and Svensson who were Premiership regulars for Saints, could be allowed to walk for nothing. "You're talking about some good professionals there and we won't be rushing in," said Burley. "Some of those players have been injured which hasn't helped. We will be giving them the opportunity over the next few weeks to see how their fitness goes and take it from there. "Come the summer it's time to get a squad strong enough to take us back," said Burley who knows what it takes to get clubs out of the Championship. "I don't think there's a recipe for getting out of the Championship. I had four play-offs at Ipswich and got promoted the fourth time, and I got into the play-offs with Derby. "It's a different style of football, it's not about about keeping possession. If you look at the teams who are doing well, free-kicks and corners and defending the box is very much the key. "Teams close down quickly and get the ball into the box quickly and they're very dangerous at set pieces with big strong attackers and defenders. "You have to cope with that and only then can you impose your style and that's what I did at Ipswich and Derby." Burley's time at Hearts and Derby has provided him with the experience of doing his job while ignoring the noise in the background and there is plenty of that at St Mary's. Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is coming under increasing pressure as a takeover battle shapes up, while the role of former England and British Lion rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward continues to invite speculation. Woodward's position of director of football means he is responsible for reporting to the board on all football matters but Burley is his own man within the set-up. It will be the team that Burley assembles that will ultimately decides Burley's fate, and that is how he wants it. "You build your own style. I was brought up at Ipswich under Sir Bobby Robson and that's something I try and introduce, and I think the teams I had at Ipswich, Derby and Hearts showed that. "You work at things, and try and see things as quickly as you can and mould a team that will hopefully win games and play the way you want it. "A lot of decisions were made in January, and there are some still to be made that will give us the opportunity to build a team that I'm going to be judged on next season."

Woodward blast at Saints investor
Southampton director of football Sir Clive Woodward has hit back at a major shareholder who wants the former Lions rugby union coach out. Leon Crouch bought a 9% share in Saints this week, and said he would move for Woodward to be dismissed. Woodward said: "I don't think anyone has the right to spout off like that just because he has bought some shares. "If he is the sort of chairman people want, we're in trouble - he's a bully who's firing in all directions." Crouch hinted the rugby World Cup winner of getting his post at St Mary's through an old-boy's network. But Woodward said: "He has said it smacks of the old-boy network but I am a professional coach and I know what I am doing. "He has apparently suggested I was partly responsible for relegation - yet I started here on 1 August, three months after relegation." And an angry Woodward challenged Crouch to meet him face to face to answer his claims. He said: "I have given him the chance to retract them but he won't front me up. "I want to invite him down to the training ground so he can see what we do and speak to George Burley and the players and speak to me. "Then he can make his decision. He can either stand by what he says or retract it but he should have all the facts before he comments. "But for him to just come out and say I am not suitable to do the job is something I don't accept." Woodward claimed Crouch's comments risk harming his working relationship with Saints head coach George Burley. The Saints director of football said: "I have never met the guy, yet these quotes have gone round the country and dragged my name back into the spotlight. "I have tried everything I can to keep out of the media and have turned down virtually every interview request because I want to see George Burley and the team in the papers. "But I have been dragged into this. I am a soft target - but I am not going to back off this. "This guy has said the jury is still out on George Burley and that is the last thing we want when we at last have a chance of getting it right. We had a great win at the weekend and then we get all this nonsense. "It is just prejudice - that is all it is. Enough is enough. I have been in football long enough now to stand on my own two feet." Woodward also dismissed claims that his salary at Southampton is £750,000 a year. He said: "My salary has been reported at £750,000 - I only wish it was! That figure is way off the mark. It is nowhere near that. It is not even near half of that. "I have even seen it reported to be £1.5m. I don't know where the press get figures like that."

Brighton 0-2 Southampton
Ricardo Fuller and Richard Chaplow scored the goals to effectively seal Southampton's safety and send Brighton to the foot of the Championship. Fuller put Saints ahead with his third goal in two games, reacting to score after his initial shot had been saved. Chaplow sealed the points when he seized on Djamel Belmadi's cut-back to score from the edge of the box. Colin Kazim-Richards spurned Brighton's best chance as he tried to round Saints keeper Kevin Miller. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brighton manager Mark McGhee: "We set about playing 4-3-3 like we did at Millwall but it didn't work and they caused us problems. "But we can take our second-half performance into our last four games. "If we can get something at Ipswich next week then we could be only be six, or even four points behind Sheffield Wednesday when we play them here." Southampton boss George Burley: "It's a difficult place to come and Brighton are fighting for their lives. "The first half was probably the best performance away from home since I've been here and the second half was a battle on a difficult surface. "I'm pleased with the performance and it's a good three points." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brighton: Henderson, El-Abd (Carole 53), McShane, Hinshelwood (Butters 85), Lynch, Reid, Carpenter, Hammond, Hart, Kazim-Richards, Noel-Williams (Gatting 83). Subs Not Used: Mayo, Chaigneau. Booked: Lynch. Southampton: Miller, Ostlund (Madsen 87), Powell, Lundekvam, Brennan, Wright, Baird, Chaplow, Belmadi, Fuller, Rasiak. Subs Not Used: Potter, Smith, Cranie, McGoldrick. Goals: Fuller 37, Chaplow 63. Att: 7,999. Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Stoke 1-2 Southampton
Two first-half goals from Grzegorz Rasiak were enough to give Southampton victory at Stoke. The Tottenham striker, who will make his move permanent in the summer, earned the penalty he dispatched when he was brought down by Michael Duberry. The Pole made it 2-0 with a classy half-volley from Jermaine Wright's free-kick after 31 minutes. Paul Gallagher's rifled shot gave City some hope with eight minutes left, but they could not find an equaliser. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke manager Johan Boskamp: "It was a terrible game for us. Especially in the first 45 minutes we were not in the game. "We gave two easy goals away and I don't think we created one chance. "Then you have to accept that you'll lose the game." Southampton manager George Burley: "As a manager you try to get your own style of play and I think that's starting to show. "We've still got a long way to go but I think we're starting to stabilise and improve. "We're going in the right direction and overall we're delighted with the performance." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Broomes, Wilkinson (Dickinson 45), Russell (Rooney 81), Brammer, Mbuyi, Chadwick (Sweeney 22), Bangoura, Gallagher. Subs Not Used: Henry, de Goey. Booked: Gallagher. Goals: Gallagher 83. Southampton: Miller, Potter, Lundekvam, Powell, Brennan, Wright, Chaplow (Ostlund 45), Baird, Belmadi (Dyer 45), Rasiak, Fuller. Subs Not Used: Smith, Jones, McGoldrick. Booked: Wright. Goals: Rasiak 24 pen, 31. Att: 16,501 Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

Southampton v Millwall
Southampton have doubts over Djamel Belmadi (Achilles) and Richard Chaplow (knee) after the duo were taken off injured at half time against Stoke. Meanwhile, Matt Oakley (ankle) and Danny Higginbotham (knee ligaments) are both still missing from the squad.

Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fitz Hall could return to the Crystal Palace side after a thigh injury and Andrew Johnson and Dougie Freedman may both be back in the starting XI. Winger Jobi McAnuff (ankle) remains doubtful and Wayne Andrews is out after having a hernia operation in Germany. Southampton defenders Darren Kenton (hamstring) and Darren Powell (knee) are doubtful, with Danny Higginbotham (knee ligaments) definitely missing. David Prutton could return with Richard Chaplow (knee) out of action.

Tribunal sets fees for Exeter duo
A transfer tribunal has ruled on the amount of compensation payable to Exeter City for two youngsters who have moved on to higher division clubs. City will receive an initial fee of £90,000 from Bolton for Mark Ellis - rising to a possible £600,000 depending on appearances for club and country. They will also be paid an initial £60,000 by Southampton for Jamie Hatch - rising to a possible £320,000. The Grecians will also receive a 15% sell-on clause for both players. Exeter have stated on their website that they were "delighted" with the Ellis decision, but "somewhat disappointed" with the amount they will receive for Hatch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Ellis (Bolton): Exeter will receive £90,000 immediately, £100,000 after 10 appearances, £100,000 after 20 appearances, £100,000 after 30 appearances, £100,000 after 40 appearances, £10,000 after first England Under-21 appearance, £100,000 after first full England appearance, plus a 15% sell-on premium. Jamie Hatch (Southampton): Exeter will receive £60,000 immediately, £50,000 after 10 appearances, £50,000 after 25 appearances, £50,000 after 50 appearances, £10,000 after first England Under-21 appearance, £100,000 after first full England appearance, plus a 15% sell-on premium.

Powell sidelined until pre-season
Southampton defender Darren Powell will be sidelined for around 10 weeks after tearing his posterior cruciate knee ligament against Millwall on Monday. A scan revealed the extent of the damage, but Powell is expected to return for pre-season training. Meanwhile, on-loan midfielder Richard Chaplow has returned to West Brom. Chaplow needs surgery on a cartilage tear, so will definitely miss Saints' final two games of the season - when his loan was due to expire.

Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton
Clinton Morrison came off the bench to earn Crystal Palace a win over Southampton at Selhurst Park. Palace went ahead after 63 minutes when Marco Reich's shot was charged down only to fall to Andrew Johnson, who made no mistake from eight yards. Ricardo Fuller quickly equalised for the visitors after glancing home a header from a Darren Potter cross. But Morrison raced on to a Tony Popovic long ball and kept his nerve to beat Southampton keeper Kevin Miller. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crystal Palace assistant boss Neil MacDonald: "We were slightly fortunate to win, Southampton created many chances but we stuck at it and came out with a good result. "These last four games have been a learning curve for us to see what we are going to do in the play-offs. "We are confident facing anyone. If we can build on today against Sheffield United next week it will give everyone confidence ahead of the two legs." Southampton boss George Burley: "I can't remember playing away from home and creating so many chances. "We had enough chances to win three games. "Andrew Surman could have had four, Nathan Dyer could have had four, Grzegorz Rasiak three or four and Darren Potter a couple. "But we showed today how far we have come. Palace are a good side, but our passing and movement was good and we kept on creating. "Of late we have been creating opportunities and scoring goals, and we need to keep that improvement up. Overall I thought the performance was excellent." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Popovic, Fitz Hall, Butterfield, Borrowdale, Watson (Soares 78), Hughes, McAnuff, Reich (Leigertwood 64), Johnson, Freedman (Morrison 76). Subs Not Used: Macken, Speroni. Booked: Morrison. Goals: Johnson 63, Morrison 81. Southampton: Miller, Lundekvam, Baird, Kenton (Ostlund 70), Brennan, Potter, Surman, Dyer, Wright, Fuller, Rasiak (Jones 71). Subs Not Used: Smith, Prutton, Blackstock. Booked: Baird, Ostlund. Goals: Fuller 69. Att: 20,995. Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).

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