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.

"We've played the last four games the way I like my teams to play. It's as simple as that.

"And these players have been phenomenalal for me for two and a half years and I can't think of anyone who has been a first-team regular who has let me down at all."

Strachan's men completely dominated the encounter with Chris Coleman's Fulham and the point apiece earned boosts both side UEFA Cup hopes.

Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar kept Saints at bay, saving brilliantly from Brett Ormerod twice and Anders Svensson, and dealing with 17 corners Saints swung into the box.

Coleman, who played only Brian McBride up front, had a post-match bust-up with a reporter who accused him of negative tactics. The Cottagers chief, whose side spent nearly all of their visit to St Mary's encamped in their own half, vowed to stick by his 4-5-1 policy. "I sometimes think I'll go 4-4-2 but while we keep getting points and having success with 4-5-1, I'll stick with it."