Paul Merson has sent a brutal message to two Southampton fans after the Saints’ damaging 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough.
Russell Martin’s side were stunned by a 90th-minute Emmanuel Latte Lath header, leaving their automatic promotion bid hanging by a thread.
The home side missed several guilt edge chances at St Mary’s before Boro’s late equaliser. The result capped a perfect weekend for Portsmouth, with the Fratton Faithful dreaming of the South Coast Derby returning in the 2024/25 season.
Merson, who spearheaded Pompey’s title-winning campaign under Harry Redknapp, was covering the game on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
Here’s what the former midfielder had to say about Southampton’s performance.
Paul Merson sends brutal Portsmouth message to two Southampton fans
After the match, Merson highlighted how two young fans were attending their first match, and the 56-year-old was quick to urge them to make the trip east along the M27
“That looks like that will be it now; it will be the playoffs for them,” he said.
“There are a couple of little kids who went today, Ederson and Aida, to the last game at Southampton; young kids, there is time for you to go and support Portsmouth if you want. Come on, Pompey.”
When was the last South Coast Derby?
The South Coast Derby is unique, and the rarity of the fixture adds to the tension. Since the turn of the Millennium, there have only been six league meetings between the two clubs. And since 2012, there hasn’t been one league clash.
South Coast Derby record:
- Portsmouth wins, 21
- Draws, 15
- Southampton wins, 35
The last meeting between the two sides came in the 2019 League Cup, with the Saints running out 4-0 winners at Fratton Park.
If the Blues can secure promotion, which is extremely likely, all eyes will be firmly fixed on what looks like a playoff tilt for Martin’s side.
Whoever Southampton’s opponents are will undoubtedly receive plenty of support from those at PO4.