Wotte focused on Derby

Despite the fact that Champions League football returns to our screens this evening, Saints’ Head Coach Mark Wotte believes there is a much more important game taking place at St Mary’s!

Tonight’s match between Southampton and Derby faces stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, whose Champions League exploits will be beamed into the nation’s living rooms, yet the Dutchman believes that there is really only one show in town.

Speaking to saintsfc.co.uk ahead of the game, Wotte said, “Well, St Mary’s for Southampton against Derby County is much more fun than what is it, Man United against Juventus? We are working hard for our club and our future and I don’t care about the rest,” he declared.

Saints are on a decent run at home of late, having won their last two league games in front of the St Mary’s faithful. Those results have lead to an increased buzz amongst fans, and they will no doubt be hoping that Saints can make it three home wins in a row tonight.

With Saints slashing ticket prices for tonight’s encounter, more tickets have already been sold than any other midweek game this season. With that in mind, Wotte says his side are expecting a decent crowd.

“I’m very happy that everyone is supporting us,” he said. “The boys need the fans’ full support. We are going into the final stage of the Championship, with ten games left. We want everyone to back us and I think they are doing that.

“When I hear from people in the city and the fans away from home they have been applauding our efforts. The fans have been excellent the last couple of weeks.

“At Birmingham City they were very supportive, at Ipswich there were a lot of fans supporting us and St Mary’s was a great stadium to play in for the last two home matches.

“First we have to give them a performance and we have to have a good match and then they will support us.

“Hopefully they can support us from the first minute and get behind the team.

“I’m very pleased with the fans at the moment and I’m sure the fans are pleased with the team.

“Always the relationship between the two is affected by results and the way you play, but the fans are also happy that we give 100 per cent every game.”