Southampton will have to get used to being barracked as they travel the Championship this autumn, the “Spygate” team set to be everyone’s favourite boo boys in the second tier. Certainly that was the case in Hertfordshire, with Watford fans and players alike beside themselves after a hard-fought victory, decided by two memorable first-half goals.
Tonda Eckert, the Southampton head coach, remains under investigation for his part in the Spygate affair and presented a subdued figure both during and after this contest. He insisted that his team were more united than ever after suffering the indignity of being removed from last season’s playoffs, “but it would be easier to say that after a victory”, Eckert acknowledged.
