Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton says Manchester City's efforts in claiming the Premier League title may have caused them to come up short in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat by rivals Manchester United. City missed the chance to become the first English side to secure back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles and were also knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid on penalties. "It's been a brilliant season but I think the way the Manchester City players are and with their mindset they will not be totally satisfied," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
Former Wycombe Wanderers and QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth praised Russell Martin for his "tactical masterclass" against Leeds United in the Championship play-off final. "Southampton epitomised the calmness that Martin has and they stayed solid and in shape for the whole game," said Ainsworth to BBC Radio 5 Live's 72+ podcast. Then they held on when Leeds came at them with Martin going to a five at the back, which was a tactical masterclass.
Manchester United were interested last summer and may come calling again. Tottenham Hotspur made an inquiry in January, and there is no doubt that Jean-Clair Todibo will be in demand when the transfer window opens next month.
Southampton manager Russell Martin admitted he was proud to defy the low expectations that greeted his appointment by leading his club back to the Premier League on Sunday."I feel like it wasn't a sexy appointment for Southampton Football Club, me coming in, but they were brave enough to give me the opportunity and hopefully we have repaid them with a day they will remember forever.