Downes claims Southampton didn't deserve boos after Rotherham draw

Southampton had controlled the game after Stuart Armstrong gave them the lead inside two minutes, before substitute Jordan Hugill drew the away side level. 

Saints ended the match with 80 per cent possession and 22 shots on goal but were unable to find a way past the impressive Viktor Johansson for a second time.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Downes admitted he was surprised that some fans booed the players off the field after what he felt was a "dominating" performance.

Although he added that he understands frustrations, he said: "After a performance like that, I know we should have won but we shouldn’t be getting booed off after a game again. That to me is mental.

“I get everyone wants to win, and we’re the same, but the performance and the way we played - it was weird. I get it, I’m a fan. When I used to go and my team didn’t win, of course, you boo.

“But when you are playing the way we are playing and dominate a game like that, okay we conceded a goal we shouldn’t have. In the crowd, I’m seeing fans giving it all this and booing. 

“I’m not going to say too much because we need their support. When we are playing at home, we are playing a style that no one else wants to play – all the players need the confidence.

“We need the boost from the fans, so to get booed at the end is mental, absolutely mental."

Saints boss Russell Martin agreed his players didn't deserve some of the "vitriol" they received from a minority of supporters in the stands. 

This wasn't the first occasion that Southampton players have been booed following the final whistle at St Mary's this season. 

They were met with a louder reaction following back-to-back defeats to Leicester City and Ipswich Town during their four-game losing streak.

“We are just on the pitch after the game and getting booed," Downes continued when asked if the negativity from the stands affects the group. 

"Of course, you are gutted and we wanted to win. But sometimes you need to appreciate the performance. If we played them next week, we would win 4-0 and everyone would be clapping. It is mental, but it is what it is.

“I’m a fan of a football team so I know what it is, but the players need support as well. We don’t need to get booed.” 

The 24 year old also voiced his frustrations that Southampton were unable to make their chances count in the final third.

Hugill's equaliser came after Southampton were denied a second goal on multiple occasions by Johansson, who made seven saves.

Che Adams had a header saved by the Swedish keeper before Will Smallbone saw a close-range effort stopped.

"We haven’t (done enough) because we didn’t win the game. I think we needed to finish our chances," Downes added,

“We should have seen the game off in the first half but that is the Championship. Rotherham fought until the end and that is what they did and got a point. Fair play to them.

“It is football, anything can happen. I thought the game should have been done by then (Hugill's goal). We didn’t help ourselves.

“The defence and goalkeeper were unbelievable and we should have seen the game off. If we are dominating teams we have to come out in the second half and finish it.

"Simple as that. You can’t start the way we did in the second half. We have to focus on finishing our chances. With football, we could play them again next week and everything will go in.

"It is just one of those things. Hugill’s finish is one of the best I’ve seen so it is just football, these things happen."

Martin described Downes as "monstrous" after the 1-0 win over Stoke and claimed supporters were finally starting to see the player he worked with at Swansea City.

The West Ham midfielder's loan move to St Mary's this summer was delayed after Downes suffered a bout of food poisoning, which saw him lose weight.

“It’s been tough. I don’t want to drag it out the illness was very tough and I finally feel like I’m getting back to where I was before the illness," he admitted. 

“I’ve finally put on a few pounds so that’s nice and I’m feeling sharp and good. I just want to help the team. That’s my main goal this season."