'Spygate has strengthened Saints' bond with fans'

[Press Association] This will not come as a surprise to the Southampton fans reading this, but one thing became very clear to me after supporters and players celebrated their win against West Ham on Saturday. The supportive bond between fans and the team has been strengthened by Spygate, not weakened. To the point where it genuinely felt like the team had a twelfth and thirteenth man at times. In a way, the scandal has just emboldened the club. It felt like a siege mentality which could be a real asset to the side as they rise from their points deduction to the play-off position they currently hold. I have reported on many Southampton games away and at home and I have not felt a connection so empowering on performance to my recollection. In fact, it has felt quite the reverse at times, such as the reaction of fans at Saints 0-6 Chelsea a few seasons ago. Sure, away fans can sound loud when the London Stadium's local fans are silenced. But it was more the energy which pulled Southampton to a fast start and through a tricky end that made me believe this could be a problem which other opponents will need to factor in as the season continues. Latest Southampton news and analysis