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Saints Fans Need To Remember Boxing Day 2001
Tuesday, 21st Apr 2015 10:47

On Saturday a Spurs manager arrives back to Southampton having previously left it under a cloud, Saints supporters need to ensure the same outcome occurs now as it did in 2001.

Tottenham Hotspur poaching one of our managers in controversial circumstances is nothing new, back in March 2001 Glenn Hoddle departed for White Hart Lane with accusations flying around about the way that he had been tempted away from the Dell, indeed it prompted then Saints Chairman Rupert Lowe to describe Spurs as "A bunch of North London yobbo's"

Last May Mauricio Pochettino left the club and there were many comparisons to be drawn with events 13 years earlier, both managers were respected by Saints fans rather than liked and both men seemed to show no real affinity for Saints, a club that had given them a job with their career's in the pan after being sacked.

So the reception being reserved for Mauricio Pochettino on Saturday looks set to be a repeat for the "affection" that was aimed Glenn Hoddle's way when he returned for his first visit back to the Club.

That occurred on Boxing Day 2001 although it should be pointed out that Hoddle had left Saints in their final months of playing at the Dell, whilst he returned to the brand new St Mary's.

To make matter sworse for Hoddle he had also poached central defender Dean Richards, perhaps he did so to take some of the heat from his return because certainly if Hoddle was public enemy number 1, then Richards was not far behind at number 2.

That meant there was certainly no Xmas cheer in evidence in the 31,719 crowd, a then St Mary's record, Hoddle and Richards received a hostile reception from the start, however during the game although it continued, in the main Saints supporters concentrated on creating a red hot atmosphere that put pressure on Spurs and not their own side.

The game was settled in the 56th minute when James Beattie chased a long through ball and headed over the advancing Neil Sullivan in the Spurs goal to win the game.

It was Saints domination from then on and at the final whistle the celebrations were long and loud and Hoddle and Richards received the brunt of them.

So on Saturday we have to recreate that St Mary's atmosphere and that means once the game starts being supporters of Saints not haters of Pochettino, if we raise the team to win the game then there will be plenty of time tolet our ex manager know in what contempt he is held, but during the game it is about Ronald Koeman and our own players.

One thing to remember is that back then Saints were in relegation trouble, indeed we had just been beaten 6-1 at Old Trafford, there were plenty of players in that side coming under fire from our fans, yet on that day it was all about Saints and everyone who pulled on the shirt, this game helped pull everyone together behind Gordon Strachan and from there we never looked back and finished 11th come the end of the season.

We need more of that on Saturday, we all need to be supporting our team, each and every one of them, if we do that then we have a far better chance of achieving our aims.

Photo: Action Images



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davepid added 15:23 - Apr 22
Oh for us to score a simple goal like that again. Long balls, one in one with the keeper.ah the good old days.
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A1079 added 15:30 - Apr 22
Lets just hope that the players have the right attitude to go out and try and win the game, as it looks like they have been on their summer hols for sometime now. They certainly need to raise their game at all levels. I am not bothered that it is Pochettino that is coming I just want the 3 points and to beat Spurs. If the players are seen to be giving it their all, then the fans will get behind them.
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