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Claude Puel struck a defiant tone in the build-up to Saints’ game at Liverpool, but what he really needed was a defiant performance from his team. And he got it.
We all know by now that the Saints boss is not one for demonstrative displays of emotion, but he fought back in his own, slightly unique, way.
It was hardly fire and brimstone stuff, more understated, calm and measured.
But that Puel did actually stand up for himself, admit his surprise at rumours of his supposedly imminent sacking and explain why he believes he has done a solid job at St Mary’s showed another side to him.
It wasn’t one of somebody just prepared to meekly roll over. It was of strength and determination, the kind of qualities he showed as a dogged central midfield warhorse in his playing days.
Puel hasn’t really talked the talk all season, but what he needed more than anything was a display of character from his side.
Heading to Liverpool everybody knew the Reds would be tough opponents, but with two wins and a draw against them in the top flight and EFL Cup this season, it was safe to deduce their style would maybe suit Saints.
Indeed, free of the kind of pressure they clearly felt at home to Hull the previous week, there was every justification for a vaguely similar approach to the game.
Sitting deep, soaking up pressure and trying to forge the odd chance on the counter attack is fair enough for Saints at Anfield. It’s not at home to Hull, whether that was what they set out to do or not.
Puel is fighting to prove himself as Saints boss, and has found himself in an odd position where you feel he needs performances possibly more than results.
Though Saints don’t want to slip down the table, there isn’t that much really left to play for, a matter of a handful of positions either way.
But for Puel there is the opportunity to show that he is the man to take Saints forward.
To do that he needs the players to show they are playing for him, with spirit and character, and are prepared to dig deep.
They did exactly that at Anfield.
It was a defensive set-up, it was a little negative, but it was justifiable, and in executing it well and getting a point Puel can feel satisfied that it was the right call.
He needs to get the side showing a bit more in attack in the four games left to come this season, but this was at least a starting point to build from after a few disappointments.
The first half at Anfield had a similar pattern to last week’s goalless draw against Hull.
Saints sat deep and allowed their opponents plenty of possession, but Liverpool without Sadio Mane lack cutting edge and are very one dimensional.
They really played into Saints’ hands, conducting most of their passing game in front of a bank of ten men who were disciplined and allowed no space between the lines.
The only half chances of the first 45 minutes fell the way of Liverpool, but were only shots from outside the box.
Roberto Firmino robbed Oriol Romeu but saw his effort blocked before Philippe Coutinho cut inside onto his right foot but curled a shot straight into the arms of Fraser Forster.
The Saints keeper made further routine stops from Firmino and a deflected drive from Emre Can.
Saints came more into the game in their own right in the second period.
Though inevitably they had to endure plenty of pressure and continue to defend well, they gave a more encouraging account of themselves.
Again opportunities were few and far between and Saints were grateful for their big keeper Forster, who also proved a point after collecting a few critics of late.
It was he who produced an excellent penalty save on 66 minutes which ultimately denied Liverpool the win.
The award of the spot kick by referee Bobby Madley was debatable.
Divock Origi flicked on a Lucas cross and Jack Stephens nudged the ball away with his upper arm, though how deliberate it was was hard to determine.
James Milner struck his penalty hard and low but Forster stopped it full length down to his right.
Forster was in business again to block from Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana but perhaps the most dramatic of the late saves came in stoppage time as the keeper turned over from Marko Grujic’s header as Liverpool piled forward desperate for a win to boost their Champions League ambitions.
Thank to Saints’ rear guard action it didn’t come – a fourth clean sheet in four against the Reds this season - and they walked away with a point.
For Puel it was about more than simply the result, however.
Make no mistake, he is still walking a tightrope, and with four matches to come in a week and a half to round off the season there is much water to pass under the bridge.
In football, where momentum is so vital, things could still go either way for him.
Whether his future really does depend on such a small snapshot of the campaign remains to be seen.
But at the very least he has another performance to point to as he fights to show he has what it takes for the long term at Saints.
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