Solak doubles down on 'Spygate' stance - analysis

BBC Radio Solent's Southampton commentator Adam Blackmore gives his thoughts after recently speaking with Saints owner Dragan Solak.

Dragan Solak has the ability to be charismatic and steely-eyed at the same time.

There is no doubt he has been stung by 'Spygate', but there is also no doubt his competitive nature is now at the forefront again and he wants to move forward and get Saints back where he wants them as quickly as possible.

He was candid about dealing with the authorities and everything that has been thrown at him, but he also knows the club has no time to wallow in self-pity and won't fix itself.

There is no doubt he is still seething at the level of punishment Saints received, and his "double jeopardy" argument about why the Football Association should not punish Tonda Eckert further is strong, given he feels the expulsion from the play-offs has already seen many people at the club punished for the deeds of a few.

And whilst I maintained after the commission's report came out that he should have sacked the people involved to start the rehabilitation of the club's reputation, his counter-argument to me in the interview was a compelling listen.

His commitment to get Saints moving forward has started with his backing of Eckert and the signings of Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin, two of last season's best players. Solak means business and doesn't like losing.

You know what they say about the wounded tiger...

Listen to Adam's full interview with Southampton owner Dragan Solak on BBC Sounds.