Hughes: ‘The football gods are not smiling on’ Southampton

Matt Stead

Mark Hughes managed not to blame a referee for Southampton’s failure to beat Newcastle.

Saints and Newcastle played out a predictably cagey 0-0 draw on Saturday, with both sides too anxious to do much of anything, really.

It was a familiar tale for the hosts, who put just four of their 22 shots on target at St Mary’s.

The stalemate leaves them 16th, two points above the relegation zone, but Hughes sees no reason to panic.

“It’s disappointing once again in respect of not getting what we deserved, we had 22 shots and we weren’t able to convert any of them,” said Hughes.

“Newcastle came here and every time we tried to press they were looking to turn us around. It’s difficult to maintain momentum when people are constantly knocking the ball over the top.

“At the end of the day it’s back-to-back clean sheets, but at the top end of the pitch we need to start scoring goals.

“Clearly we are creating chances, right at the death we had a good chance for Shane, there were balls bobbling around the box, but sometimes you need something to go in off someone’s backside and the football gods aren’t smiling on us at the moment.”