Downes: Let's recreate "best ever" St Mary's atmosphere

The midfielder was a key member of the 2023/24 promotion-winning side when Saints reached the play-off final with a 3-1 victory over West Brom at a raucous St Mary’s.

That night the players were welcomed into the stadium by thousands of fans, before the game was played in a feverish atmosphere.

The players responded with an electrifying display, and Downes believes a similar environment can inspire a similar result this time around.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen St Mary’s, by a mile. It was the best. It’s so infectious and the players can feel that. I think you could see it in the performance,” he recalled.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, to be honest. I knew the atmosphere would be good, but there was just a bit more to it.

“That rubs off on the players so much. It was so good to play in, especially for the way I play – I play with my heart on my sleeve, so when the fans are up it just gets me going even more. It was good, really enjoyable.

“You could see it against Arsenal – the place was bouncing, and it just gives the players an extra 10 per cent, it’s crazy. If we can replicate that, I’m really looking forward to it.”

There are clear parallels two years on, with Saints again having finished fourth in the league, and again returning to St Mary’s following a goalless first leg.

“I think you saw it two years ago when we played away at West Brom. It was obviously a stalemate, a bit tense, and then you come to our place and we’ve got the advantage,” Downes said.

“I do think it’s a massive advantage playing that second leg at home, so we’ve got to make the most of that.”