Wotte wants fresh start for Saints

26 April 2009 10:16
Saints will kick off next season in the third tier for the first time since 1960 and on minus 10 points after the Football League this week penalised them for going into administration earlier this month.[LNB]Their players did at least show some fight in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Burnley, but sadly so did the supporters who charged on to the pitch at the final whistle and confronted the travelling fans.[LNB]The troubled club could face an FA enquiry after a flare and plastic bottles were hurled between the two sets of fans as police and stewards kept them apart.[LNB]Former chairman Rupert Lowe has been widely condemned for his part in Southampton's financial mess, and Wotte also revealed his anger at the League's decision to dock them points after the club's holding company went into administration.[LNB]"It makes me sad because the fans have been fantastic this last couple of months and the League is punishing those fans. They are not to blame for anything," said the Dutchman.[LNB]"You can't blame the players either. It is all people who have left the club who caused the problems on the financial side. It's all about history and I hope this season draws a line under the history and start building a better Southampton.[LNB]"For football people it is disgusting to have 10 points deducted just two days before the final games. I'm doubting the verdict of the League and I would like to know who was shouting loudest in those four walls. But now we are looking to a better future."[LNB]Saints looked set to end a traumatic week on a high note as they twice led the play-off chasing Clarets through first-half goals from Bradley Wright-Phillips and David McGoldrick.[LNB]But Graham Alexander pegged them back from the spot and McGoldrick missed a penalty before Clarke Carlisle earned Burnley a point.[LNB]"I was proud of the way we went down. From the first minute to the last we were excellent," added Wotte.[LNB]"We should have killed off the game but it is not the first time I have said that this season.[LNB]"I asked the players to play with pride and for the shirt, and they did that."[LNB]Burnley boss Owen Coyle admitted his side did not deserve the three points.[LNB]"At 2-2 we had the chances to win the game, but I think that would have been very harsh on Southampton," he said.[LNB]"I didn't think the situation in the week helped us. If I'd have been the manager here I would have been chasing those six points to have the best chance of coming straight back up.[LNB]"They looked a better side than their league position suggests."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk