SOUTHAMPTON fans have been left baffled after Aaron Ramsdale was allowed to appear on live TV for TNT Sports as an analyst for their thrashing against Tottenham.
Ramsdale, 26, has been out since November with a finger injury.
But the goalkeeper appeared as a pundit on TNT Sports during their coverage of the Saints’ clash with Spurs on Sunday evening, won 5-0 by the visitors.
And after watching his team-mates get thrashed at home, with the result leading to the sacking of Russell Martin, Ramsdale gave his thoughts on the display.
He said: “It was a tough one to watch and it must have been much harder to play.
“After the work you put in, to go behind that quickly and be 5-0 down at half-time, I can’t imagine the feeling playing that second half.
“As much as Tottenham controlled and took their foot off the gas, credit to the boys, they didn’t stop running, the fans got onside and gave them a bit of a boost, but I think there will be some more words said from management and players over the next coming days.”
Asked for specifics about those chats, Ramsdale was seen rubbing his eyes with his hands before adding: “Not a nice one (the chat).
“I think there’ll be some home truths especially when you can see it on the big screen…
“After being 5-0 at half-time I’m not too sure how the gaffer will go about it.
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“We’ll dissect the goals, we might try and spin it into positive ways because we have a game on Wednesday so close to show what we can do when we get it right.
“We have to forget about it quickly which is easier said than done. It’ll be a really tough one for the boys tonight and we just have to go again so we can try and get to the semi-final of a Cup on Wednesday.”
Reacting to Ramsdale’s punditry, fans were left stunned that he was even allowed to do the interview and appear on TNT.
One fan on social media said: “I’m utterly baffled by how this has been allowed to happen.”
A second said: “It’s an absolute shambles, it really is. I don’t see how this possibly could have been beneficial in any way even if we won today.”
A third added: “We’re such a joke right now.”
Another said: “Gotta feel for him that’s the current state of our club that they would green light this.”
A fifth said: “Like what’s he meant to say? Just adds to the laughing stock we already are!”
The Saints host Premier League leaders Liverpool in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash, before visiting Fulham in the league on Sunday.
Ex-Arsenal star Ramsdale was hopeful of returning to the team in the coming days, with the South Coast side only picking up one point since the goalkeeper’s injury.
On his return, he said: “The finger is getting more bendy, it’s getting there. It was too soon (for me to be back) for this game.
“I’m looking forward to next week. We have two games that I’m hoping to be involved in. It’s about making sure it’s fixed properly.
“Making sure it doesn’t get injured again is the main priority. I missed out on the first two camps, I was desperate to get back in.
“It’s been very tough watching the boys. Coming down here to try and impact things on the pitch, it’s been tough.
“I’ve been able to train with the boys, using my feet. I’ve been on the grass. But my job is as a goalkeeper.”
Southampton are rooted to the bottom of the table and are already nine points off of safety.
