Danny Fox has left St Mary's for Nottingham Forest and some Saints supporters should hang their heads in shame at the way they have treated him in the past year.

Danny Fox was an integral part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League, his attacking play and ability to deliver a dead ball was a big part of our threat on goal and certainly Rickie Lambert would not have scored half of the goals he did that season if it hadn't been for that accuracy from dead ball situations from Fox, perhaps the most remembered being his free kick at Fratton Park that was undefendable and meant Rickie couldn't miss.

Fox's reward for his efforts in 2011/12 were to become one of the scapegoats for the following season, yes poor defending in the opening game at Man City didn't help his cause and some were on his back from that moment and calling for a player that most of them had never seen, Luke Shaw to replace him, of course Shaw was a rare talent, but in those opening half dozen or so games last term if he had been plunged into a side in turmoil it could have perhaps put his career back a year, so it was left to Fox to take the onslaught and become the brunt of a certain type of fans vitriol.

Yes we all could see he want perhaps up to the task, but he wasnt the only one in the first half of last season, however he was the one who got horrific verbal abuse from some supporters whenever he was picked, it didnt matter to them that he was only being picked because of an injury to Shaw and therefore was in as the only option and was doing nothing more than trying his best under difficult circumstances.

Perhaps only Guly has come in for as much abuse, yet another player who did nothing other than help us climb up the leagues and play a vital part in that.

The irony of the situation though is that since Luke Shaw came into the team, in the main Fox has done little wrong, over the past 15 months his 10 starts have yielded 8 points and his 5 appearances off the bench another 11, look at it anyway you want and that is not a bad points average per game, this season he played a vital part in a 2-0 backs to the wall win against Swansea and his performance in the win against Man City last year is overlooked, to those boo boys every Fox appearance has resulted in only one thing and that has been a resounding drubbing, but as the stats show that is not the truth.

Im not claiming that Fox is the best in the World, but he was excellent for Saints in the Championship and he has come in under difficult circumstances at times and helped us to vital points since his regular first team days have been over.

Now he goes to Nottingham Forest initially on loan but with a view to a permanent move in the summer, a slice of deja Vu in that he goes there to replace Dan Harding the very same player he displaced in the Saints side.

So some Saints supporters should hang their heads in shame for the abuse they have given Fox during games, it wasnt the majority but it has been a very big minority that made themselves heard, they didnt care that Southampton Football Club needed to win a football game first and foremost, all they cared about was abusing a player in our own colours, they were not prepared to give him a chance, whatever he did.

Perhaps his departure will have a silver lining, perhaps some people will look at the likes of Guly, Gazzaniga, Hooiveld & Yoshida to name but four and realise they are doing nothing wrong but trying their best after being selected, if they are the best we have then that is not their fault but those responsible for transfers who have not adequately replaced them.

The age old response from the verbal abusers is "I pay my money im entitled to my opinion" I agree with that, but we are called "Supporters" not "Opinioners" opinions are for down the pub and on internet message boards, when we go to matches we should go to "Support"

Football will always have scapegoats but what happened to Danny Fox and Guly for that matter is disgusting, I hope that I do not see the like of it again.

Thank you Danny Fox, you weren't the best left back we have ever had but you were our best left back in the Championship and we might not be here today but for your efforts in that league, I wish you well and should you return to St Mary's on the opposition then I hope that all of our supporters thank you properly for your part in our march back to the Premier league

Photo: Action Images

thegeneral added 12:42 - Jan 30 I like Danny Fox, he's a victim of the clubs success though. Many players find they can improve as they 'level up' like Morgan, SRL and Lallana but unfortunately for Danny his best is at championship level. Like you say the clubs transfer policy has been a bit slow in identifying weaker areas and making the necessary adjustments. I do think though that we have operated with one eye on possible relegation back to the championship during the first season or two back in the premier league, because of this i think the club have been wary of letting go players like Fox, Guly and Hooiveld. The consequence of this is that these players have been expected to perform above their ability when called upon and they can only go out and do their best. With premier league football all but guaranteed for next season i would expect to see, or if i'm honest hope to see the majority of the championship standard subs bench replaced because we are lacking a bit of depth. We are fortunate that the academy has produced premier league standard players like Shaw, Chambers and Ward Prowse and in fact our weakest positions are where we have had to buy in talent for this league. Good luck to Danny Fox and thanks for being a saint that helped get us where we are now.

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gartan added 13:01 - Jan 30 We - like most clubs have some idiotic fans that really didn't help his confidence. Never understood why 'supporters' give out so much to players trying their best. Different if they couldn't give a fook then fair enough. Good luck Danny and thanks!
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simmo400 added 13:04 - Jan 30 I never rated Danny Fox, not even in the 3rd division. Not good enough im afraid. Cant pass, cant run, cant shoot, cant head, hardly tackle.. Enough said.
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slynch added 13:07 - Jan 30 He should do well there - make good back up for Dan Harding, eh?
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Jesus_02 added 13:20 - Jan 30 Im sure that Fox will get over negative commens on threads.. he's a professional footballer with a professional footballers wage.. lets not pitty him too much eh That said... its an intersting move that leaves us potentially short at LB. Im not sure that we can convince someone better than Fox to come and play back up to Shaw. Maybe Shaw is off after all?
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schatfield added 13:35 - Jan 30 Re Jesus 02 comment, who actually do we have as back up to Shaw now, anyone at all? If City or someone came in with 30m I dont think he would stay, or if he is injured, who would play in that role?
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SaintDavo added 13:41 - Jan 30 RE: Jesus 02. Jesus ! just because Fox is gone does not mean "Maybe shaw is off after all", you been reading too many media links mate, all pure speculation ! It does leave us short at LB of course, but clyne and chambers can fill in but yes a back up is needed and i'm sure the club are clever enough to know that.
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Jesus_02 added 14:03 - Jan 30 @ SaintDavo I dont really think he will be going anytime soon, likewise i think the figures being talked about are just as unlikely. It does seriously cause a conundrum though. At RB we have developed a seriously strong unit . I cant see anyone of any note comming in to play second fiddle to and 18yr old and that as #scharfield points out leaves us weak.
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legod7 added 14:23 - Jan 30 Danny Fox has left St Mary's for Nottingham Forest and some Saints supporters should hang their heads in shame at the way they have treated him in the past year. This is at the top of this fine article about a player a lot of Saints supporters booed every time he played. The thing is the player he will try to take the place of at Forest is Dan Harding. The same player who when he played for Saints in League 1 was week after week castigated by St Nick for his performances. Funny that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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geezershoong added 16:08 - Jan 30 Scottish international...
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ExiledSupporter added 18:10 - Jan 30 Yes, I also wish him all the best for his future. No doubt, if he plays against us in the hopefully unrealisable future, then he will play a blinder as the best way to answer his single minded detractors. Simmo 400 sadly you appear to fall into this group of rabid complainers. We should acknowledge Fox's important contribution to our promotion to the Prem and give him the respect he is due for that. Also due to Jos and Guly as others who made contributions for which they do not get sufficient respect. Aside from worsening the shallow depth of our squad, I fear other 'popular' targets of abuse will now get the bile usually reserveded for Fox directed at them.

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davepid added 20:08 - Jan 30 Nic any tribute to Barnard and Martin? Barnard helped get us into the Championship and. Fox wouldn't have come if we had stayed in league 1, I guess. Martin .ok not as many games though he was in the named squad more often than Fox; incredibly he stayed on the bench 38 times in our Championship year. And Martin scored more goals than Fox.
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Boris1977 added 22:05 - Jan 30 He wore the shirt and gave a shit - cheers Danny Fox. You were part of the rise of this beautiful footall club.
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