Source: PA
Pardew exit no excuse for Trophy loss - Wilkins
Southampton caretaker manager Dean Wilkins refused to use Monday's shock sacking of manager Alan Pardew as an excuse for their 3-0 defeat by Swindon.
The Johnstone's Paint Trophy holders were sent crashing out at the first hurdle thanks to a double from Vincent Pericard and a Charlie Austin strike, while Lee Barnard saw red for the hosts.
Wilkins said: "We're very disappointed in losing our defence of a trophy as we felt we had a good chance of going all the way to Wembley again.
"We are professional and we should not let the sacking of Alan Pardew be an excuse.
"I don't think that the crowd chanting Alan's name affected the players, once you're out there you should be able to ignore that.
"I understand the fans' frustration because it hurts me when we lose a game whether I am in control of the team or somebody's assistant but we really need the fans behind us now."
