Strachan: my players are in the form of their lives

GORDON STRACHAN reckons his Southampton players are in the form of their lives, but insists their performances have nothing to do with his plans to leave.

The Saints boss revealed last month he is quitting at the end of the season to take time out from a sport which has been his living for almost three decades. His south-coast side certainly seem determined to give him a good send-off, their last four results being the 2-1 victory against Strachan's old club Leeds, the 1-1 friendly draw with German giants Bayern Munich, the unlucky 3-2 defeat at Manchester United and Saturday's goalless draw with Fulham a game completely dominated by the St Mary's team.

Strachan does not see any link between the timing of his announcement and his side's impressive showings. "Everybody thought we'd go down the tube when I said I'd leave but now people are saying it's a great move," the Scot said. "But I wouldn't like to think my players are trying any harder now, because that's not what they do.