Critics have hurt my players, says Sparky

MARK HUGHES spent four days assessing Southampton, concluding his players have been severely damaged by criticism, and left the DW claiming this stoic display will act as a springboard to Premier League survival. Having signed a short-term deal until June, Hughes is seen as a quick fix by the board and certainly needs one himself. It is perhaps why he was so animated at full-time, punching the air and pumping his fists to the away end. This might have been merely an away win at a League One club, but his actions suggested Hughes attached great significance to this first victory. ‘Our Premier League status is a huge concern to us,’ he said. ‘I’ve seen a group of players who are perhaps a little bit hurt by criticism of them as individuals and a group. ‘This will be good for them. There are good qualities, good traits and good behaviours. There is a collective thing — they are really close. ‘It’s not going to be easy. It’s a short-term deal and I’ve got to make the best of that.’ The best of that would be pocketing the £1 million bonus for keeping Southampton up and much rests on the trip to troubled West Ham in a fortnight. Banishing negativity is Hughes’s primary aim and the new manager booked a Wembley semi-final against Chelsea after smartly reverting to zonal marking in a quest to sharpen up at set-pieces. It worked a treat and 10 Wigan corners were defended resolutely before the break. ‘I was fearful at half-time because we had played so well and hadn’t got enough,’ Wigan boss Paul Cook said. ‘We were wary of Southampton’s quality. Did they deserve the victory? It was a bit harsh on us.’ The next job for Hughes is a search for more goals. Southampton had only scored two goals in a game twice since January 13, both times against West Brom. So it was a big call to put trust in Manolo Gabbiadini, who has started just once this year and scored one goal since October. But looking at this squad, profligate in the extreme, who else can Hughes nail his colours to? Gabbiadini has four goals this term, yet only Charlie Austin has found the net more. He has six goals in another injury-ravaged campaign. That he is Saints’ top scorer is an embarrassment. With Austin sidelined, Hughes has little choice other than gambling on Gabbiadini. The Italian missed a penalty — albeit marvellously saved by Christian Walton — and squandered a glorious one-on-one. Despite that, his manager saw positive signs for the future. ‘That was Manolo’s first nearly 90 minutes since before Christmas,’ Hughes said. ‘He showed me enough. I know that when he is up to speed, he can be a real threat for us.’