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| Victor Wanyama has been the subject of interest from Tottenham |
VICTOR WANYAMA was left out of the Southampton squad yesterday having told manager Ronald Koeman he was not in the right frame of mind to play after his request to leave the club was denied.
But Koeman insists the midfielder - a target for Tottenham - will not be allowed to quit St Mary's before tomorrow's transfer window closes and drew parallels with the club's rigid stance when Morgan Schneiderlin demanded a transfer 12 months ago.
Wanyama asked to be allowed to leave last week but Koeman maintained the onus was now on the Kenya international to work his way back into favour or risk undermining his own future.
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| Dusan Tadic scored twice in the comfortable victory over Norwich |
With Wanyama missing, Southampton recorded their first Premier League win of the season with two goals from Dusan Tadic and a first-half effort from Graziano Pelle securing victory after Norwich's Steven Whittaker collected two yellow cards in three minutes.
But Koeman's satisfaction was tempered by Wanyama's reaction to being told he is going nowhere.
The manager said: "It's a difficult situation because Victor mentioned himself his mind is not with the team.
"He did the training last Friday and of course today it was also so important to play with players who are really committed to the team and who are really focused.
"The situation of Victor is that he has lost some focus on the team and the club. And that was the reason why I kept him out of the squad."
Asked if Wanyama had asked to go, Koeman added: "We had a meeting and that's true. But it's the same question that it was for Sadio and for every player in this team. Nobody is for sale. And that's an easy answer and the players have to accept it.
"And maybe it's good for Victor to speak to Morgan because Morgan is more happy now than he was last year."
Schneiderlin was denied a move to Tottenham last season after the departure of a number of senior players and eventually moved to Manchester United this summer.
Koeman added: "Victor is one of the key players and after losing some good players for this season, it was the same statement we made to Morgan last year. And no changing, nothing.
"We need that commitment from the players. If Victor shows his commitment to the team and is how we like to have Victor, then it's no problem. But if he keeps going like this then he is playing with his own future. And that's not good."
Having been knocked out of the Europa League last Thursday, Southampton needed to provide a response after a disappointing start to the season.
They were given a major boost when Whittaker failed to learn after being cautioned in the 27th minute for preventing Matt Targett taking a quick throw-in, and picked up a second yellow card three minutes later for holding back Tadic.
That swung the game in Southampton's favour and Koeman's side were ahead a minute before half-time when Pelle finished at the near post from Sadio Mane's cross.
Norwich, who came into the game unbeaten in 14 away games since Alex Neil took charge, wilted in the second half with Tadic given far too much room to turn home Mane's 64th minute cross.
Moments later the Serbia international prodded home from close range after John Ruddy blocked Pelle's downward header.
Neil said: "We didn't deserve anything. I'm more disappointed with the manner in which we lost the game rather than losing the record."
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg 6; Soares 7 (Martina 72), Fonte 6, Yoshida 6, Targett 7; Romeu 7, Ward-Prowse 7; Mane 9 (Juanmi 81), S Davis 6 (Rodriguez 46, 7), Tadic 8; Pelle 7.
NEXT UP: West Brom (a), Sept 12, PL.
Norwich (4-1-4-1): Ruddy 6; Whittaker 4, Martin 4, Bassong 5, Brady 4; Tettey 6; Redmond 6, Dorrans 6 (Johnson 70), Hoolahan 6 (Wisdom 32, 5), Howson 4; Jerome 5 (Hooper 88). Booked: Whittaker. Sent off: Whittaker.
NEXT UP: Bournemouth (h), Sept 12, PL.
Referee: Jon Moss (Sunderland).
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