Tadic: Mark helped me find my spark

DUSAN TADIC says Mark Hughes is the reason Southampton’s survival bid is back on track and believes the manager is the man to shape the club’s future, whatever the outcome of the relegation battle.

Results suggest Hughes has struggled to deliver a newmanager bounce, with Saturday’s victory his first in five league games since being handed the task of halting Saints’ slide towards the second tier. But the former Stoke boss has maintained there have been signs of progress and Tadic says he has been one of the major beneficiaries of the new regime.

The Serb showed icecool nerves with two outstanding finishes, either side of Josh King’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time, to secure victory.

“I feel very good,” said Tadic. “When the new coach and his

SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH

assistants came in we did great in the training sessions, we touched the ball more, we felt immediately sharper. I feel sharper myself. For this we need to say thank you to them.”

Saints have trips to Everton and Swansea next and will want to have safety assured before a final-day home clash with Manchester City.

Focus can then turn to the club’s future and Tadic is sure it should involve Hughes, currently on a shortterm deal until the end of the season.

“He is a great coach,” Tadic said.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said his side’s recent dip in form was “a huge frustration”.

“We want to keep growing,” he added.

SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-3): B’MOUTH (3-4-3): Booked: Goals: REMAINING GAMES: