“Absolutely mental”: ROTHERHAM SENSATIONAL ACE TEST POSITIVE FOR ADRENALINE TO BE SIDELINED FOR.
Southampton drew 1-1 with Rotherham United on the weekend and sections of the St Mary’s home support made sure the players knew what they thought about the result
Saints dominated the clash against the Millers, who started the day 23rd in the Championship and without a win in their previous five games. Russell Martin’s side had 80 per cent possession and 22 shots compared to the visitors’ four, but still only walked away with a point.
Stuart Armstrong had got things off to the perfect start after scoring inside the first two minutes but Saints could not add to their lead no matter how hard they tried, thanks in part to an excellent performance from Rotherham keeper Viktor Johansson.
It was then left to Jordan Hugill to sink the hearts of the home supporters when he lobbed Gavin Bazunu brilliantly in the 74th minute, with Southampton unable to force home a winner despite several further attempts.
Sections of the St Mary’s crowd let their feelings of the result be known to the players as they made their way off the pitch by booing them, something which Downes said he was surprised by despite recognising the disappointment of the result.
“After a performance like that, I know we should have won but we shouldn’t be getting booed off after a game again. That to me is mental,” he told the Daily Echo.“I get everyone wants to win, and we’re the same, but the performance and the way we played – it was weird. I get it, I’m a fan. When I used to go and my team didn’t win, of course, you boo. But when you are playing the way we are playing and dominate a game like that, okay we conceded a goal we shouldn’t have. In the crowd, I’m seeing fans giving it all this and booing.
“I’m not going to say too much because we need their support. When we are playing at home, we are playing a style that no one else wants to play – all the players need the confidence. We need the boost from the fans, so to get booed at the end is mental, absolutely mental.”
He added: “We are just on the pitch after the game and getting booed. Of course, you are gutted and we wanted to win. But sometimes you need to appreciate the performance.
“If we played them next week, we would win 4-0 and everyone would be clapping. It is mental, but it is what it is. I’m a fan of a football team so I know what it is, but the players need support as well. We don’t need to get booed.”
“After a performance like that, I know we should have won but we shouldn’t be getting booed off after a game again. That to me is mental,” he told the
“I’m not going to say too much because we need their support. When we are playing at home, we are playing a style that no one else wants to play – all the players need the confidence. We need the boost from the fans, so to get booed at the end is mental, absolutely mental.”
He added: “We are just on the pitch after the game and getting booed. Of course, you are gutted and we wanted to win. But sometimes you need to appreciate the performance.
“If we played them next week, we would win 4-0 and everyone would be clapping. It is mental, but it is what it is. I’m a fan of a football team so I know what it is, but the players need support as well. We don’t need to get booed
