Double delight for Paterson

After scoring his first senior Saints goal during Southampton’s 3-0 win over Ipswich at Portman Road last night, young striker Matt Paterson has been given another reason to celebrate.

The industrious forward had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds when he fired home from 20-yards out to complete his side’s emphatic win over Jim Magilton’s team.

Saints’ Head Coach Mark Wotte was impressed with the youngsters contribution, and the 19-year-old has done enough since Wotte took charge to convince the Dutch boss that he is worthy of a contract extension.

“I’m so pleased for Matt Paterson. It was a magnificent sub role – I think he had only been on 20 seconds,” Wotte said.

“It was his tenth game so he had to celebrate it. We told him that we are going to extend his contract this week so he was very happy.

“It was a tough decision not to put Bradley Wright-Phillips on the bench but Matt Paterson proved that my decision was right.”

Whilst Wotte was full of praise for his young stars, he also took time out to acknowledge his senior pros, some of whom have been drafted back into the side since he took charge.

“Everybody knows the situation that if you’re fighting administration you have to cut costs and get some players off the wage bill, but I’m so pleased with Marek and Jason and JP Saeijs who we signed for almost nothing,” said Wotte.

“Also the academy players who played were excellent. Chris Perry too was brilliant in the second half.”

Last night’s comprehensive victory was Southampton’s third straight league win, and they will be looking to make it 12 points from a possible 12 when they face promotion hopefuls Birmingham City at St Andrews on Saturday.