Davies hits back at Saints' slurs

Derby County's firebrand boss was incensed by reports from St Mary's that his team had been accused of using underhand tactics and of celebrating their first-leg victory too boisterously as the race to the Premiership took a confrontational twist.

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Scot Davies was upset at the content of the Saints' official web-site that portrayed Derby as doing little more than smashing their way to a 2-1 win on Saturday lunchtime — injuring a number of home players in the process, including £10m-rated teenager Gareth Bale.

There were further suggestions that Derby also acted as if they believed the job had already been completed.

Davies had been accused of acting in a similar manner last year, when in charge of Preston, after his players grabbed a draw at Elland Road in the first leg of the 2006 semi-final.

But yesterday the Derby boss reacted angrily when he said: "I want to make reference to some of the nonsense that has been spoken about County players and members of our staff whooping and hollering after the game.

"What a load of nonsense. Under no circumstances would the naive Derby staff, or naive Derby players think for one second that anything was won after that match.

"At Southampton, we put on a very good performance and got a very good result, but I am not that naive to whoop, give high fives and, with all the experience I have, to think that we have anything other than a very difficult second leg to come.

"The same goes for the stuff about the strong-arm tactics. Take Bale's injury, for example. He landed awkwardly on his ankle. Then he blocks a shot, twists it again and has to come off. Craig Fagan was up against Bale and he can't even tackle a fish supper!"

Saints manager George Burley said: "Derby are a big, strong side and that's where we struggled a little bit at the back in the first leg. Without Claus Lundekvam and Darren Powell we lacked a little bit of strength in the centre half position and that's an area where we've got to be better."

Saints will be without injured left back Bale and striker Kenwyne Jones but Burley said: "If you look at Leon Best and Marek Saganowski they scored six goals at Wolves.

"I've got options up front which is not a problem, that is not a worry. With our strikers we can get the right blend."