Sunday 31 August 2014 08:25, UK
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman praised the performance of two-goal Morgan Schneiderlin in Saints’ 3-1 win over West Ham while reiterating the Frenchman will not be allowed to move this transfer window.
Schneiderlin’s brace at Upton Park produced a first Barclays Premier League win for Koeman who insists interest in the midfielder from former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham will be rebuffed.
The Dutchman also admitted there is still some transfer window business to be done at St Mary’s although he refused to be drawn on whether there would be players coming in or going out on deadline day.
But keeping Schneiderlin will be a key piece of business, especially in light of his performance at West Ham.
“Schneiderlin was very good today,” said Koeman. “He can play in a controlled position in midfield and can also push further forward but he has a great view of the pitch and he is very important to us.
“We have been adamant he is not for sale and we keep that until the end (of the transfer window)”.
Koeman was also impressed with the performance of Graziano Pelle who he signed from his old club Feyenoord. The Italian wrapped things up at Upton Park with Saints’ third goal – his first in the league since his £8million move.
“It was amazing for him. Strikers like to win but in a personal way they like to score goals. The third goal was very important as it killed the game.”
Koeman admitted Southampton did not begin well but that Schneiderlin’s equaliser just before half-time gave his side the belief to take the game to the Hammers.
“After 15 it was flat from our side. We started well but had problems with long balls and we did not control the game well.
“We were a little bit lucky to get to 1-1 at half-time but that goal gave us the belief and the spirit to try and win the game and that was the difference – we played to win and not to lose and the quality that we have in our squad made the difference.”
