KOEMAN: I WANT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WITHIN THREE YEARS
SOUTHAMPTON can reach the Champions League in three years, says boss Ronald Koeman. And the Dutchman claimed the club also want to be winning silverware in that time frame. ‘I think after eighth last season we try to keep that and maybe in next three years to reach the Champions League, win a title. The League Cup is a target and the FA Cup, and to reach the highest position in the league as possible,’ said Koeman. ‘You have to dream.’ Like compatriot Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, Koeman said he needs time to build a team after a summer exodus. ‘I understand (Van Gaal) needs time,’ said Koeman. ‘I need time as well but the games are still going on. This is a difficult season for us. After being eighth it will be tough to keep that position but if you play like we did in the second half then maybe we can reach sixth or seventh.’ Southampton came from behind with Morgan Schneiderlin scoring two superb goals — and Koeman is confident of hanging on to the Frenchman. ‘I understand players like to move to play Champions League, and the money is much bigger, but I have to do what is best for the club. We can’t say “Go, go” because after Schneiderlin there is maybe another who comes and says “You don’t show the ambition you told us before”. ‘But we want to keep going what we did last season, and the easiest way is to keep the best players.’ West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had some sections of the crowd calling for his head after his side’s capitulation and he accepted some of the blame. ‘I accept my responsibilities and the criticism I get,’ he said. ‘But I can’t protect the players because the supporters are certainly not daft. I can’t defend the indefensible.’
SUPER STAT: 2 — Schneiderlin’s two goals at Upton Park equalled his Premier League total for the whole of last season.
WEST HAM UNITED (4-2-3-1): Adrian 5; O’Brien 5, Tomkins 5, Reid 5, Cresswell 5; Kouyate 6.5, Noble 7.5; Downing 6, Zarate 6 (Morrison 57min, 6), Vaz Te 6 (Diame 58, 5); Cole 5 (Valencia 79, 5.5). Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Sakho, Demel, Poyet. Scorer: Noble 27. Booked: Cresswell, O’Brien.
SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Forster 6; Clyne 6, Yoshida 6, Fonte 6.5, Bertrand 6; Long 6 (Ramirez 66, 6), Schneiderlin 8; Steven Davis 5.5, Ward-Prowse 7 (Cork 71, 6), Tadic 7.5; Pelle 5. Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Gardos, Wanyama, Mayuka, Hooiveld. Scorers: Schneiderlin 45, 68, Pelle 83. Booked: Pelle.
Man of the match: Morgan Schneiderlin. Referee: Mike Dean.