I THINK the fans deserve a fuller statement from the board of directors than less than 100 words about parting company with Mark Hughes and his team.

There have been some very frustrating results this season under his managership and we could have expected more from some very good players who clearly have the ability to win matches but have failed at the final hurdle on too many occasions.

I was at Swansea when Hughes got his team over the line to stay in the Premier League. There was no doubt about the players' enthusiasm at that achievement and that has also shown itself in certain matches this season.

Look at Charlie Austin's ridiculously disallowed goal after he had clearly been delighted for his boss that Saints then looked to be heading for a win.

Are the directors suggesting that Hughes has not instilled team spirit in the players? If they are suggesting this and also that they want quicker and better results then they should explain so.

Or are there other reasons why Hughes has been sacked that they do not wish to divulge?

I suggest that persistence with the current squad and Hughes as continued manager might have given Saints a better chance of avoiding the drop again than the apparent desire to appoint yet another manager to add to the growing list. Only time will tell.

There is also the very relevant matter of granting a man a three-year contract and then throwing fans' hard-earned money away by having to pay him off so prematurely.

The way I see this, maybe directors need to reflect on their hasty judgement, settle for the long run and stop hopping from one situation to another.

David Cunliffe

Timsbury, near Bath