Billy Davies has stoked up the fire before tonight's decisive play-off semi-final second leg clash by accusing Saints of trying to stir up trouble.

The Derby boss launched an outspoken attack on the report of the first leg game run by Saints' official website.

In it, Derby's tactics were described as strong-arm' while reference was also made to their celebrations at the end of their 2-1 St Mary's win.

An unhappy Davies said: "I want to make reference to some of the nonsense that has been spoken about Derby County players and members of staff whooping and hollering after the game. What a load of nonsense.

"I am not that naïve to whoop, give high fives and, with all the experience I have, think that we have anything other than a very difficult second leg to come.

"Someone is trying to create a monster and make people think that we think it is all over.

"It seems strange that these things can happen when I have been bitten by the play-offs before.

"But Southampton have got to try and stir it up as best they can".

Davies was also angered by another story which claimed Gareth Bale was repeatedly kicked' and another part of the report which read Dean Leacock escaped with a lecture late on when he might have gone and Derby's strongarm tactics paid off.

"Not only did they put Gareth Bale and Jones out of the game and leave Ostlund hobbling at the end, but they have probably sidelined the trio for the second leg".

Davies continued: "The same goes for the stuff about the strong-arm tactics.

"Gareth Bale's injury, for example - he comes down and turns his ankle.

"He blocks a shot for the second one and twists his ankle and has to come off.

"How the hell we can be accused of strong-arm tactics with regard to his injury I will never know.

"So again it is absolute nonsense.

"That is the best word I can use for it.

"I am surprised and disappointed at the accusations.

"To suggest that Gareth Bale was repeatedly kicked. He was up against Craig Fagan and Craig Fagan cannot tackle a fish supper!

"He is an out and out attacking wide player.

"But surely going to a volatile ground against a big club like Southampton, a club that has spent fortunes on players and has a massive squad, a club that was fancied for automatic promotion right from the very first day, surely coming away with a 2-1 victory in a play-off game, we can at least have a smile on our face.

"You can't accuse us for one second of coming away from that game having gone over the top of the ball, thrown elbows about, or been anything other than very competitive.

"They were as well and I don't have a problem with it, because it was a play-off game".

The part of the Saints website article referring to Jones and Bale was yesterday removed and changed.

Saints declined to comment on Davies' response.

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