Ronald Koeman’s side had spells of dominance themselves and created a handful of chances through Graziano Pelle and substitute Shane Long – but both strikers also found testing the goalkeeper a hard proposition.
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The Southampton boss also stressed that they have not received any bid for Mane and insisted that they are not in talks with any club for any of their players at the moment.
With two points, the Saints are third from bottom, while Watford are in mid-table following three successive draws, with Sunday’s stalemate marking their second goalless encounter on the trot.
There was little improvement in their general play against Midjylland in the first leg of the final Europa League qualifying round on Thursday, but it was a singnificant evening for Jay Rodriguez, who converted from the penalty spot for his first goal since returning from 16 months out with a serious injury.
Southampton’s Maya Yoshida, left, and Watford’s Ikechi Anya battle…
Jose Fonte (Southampton): Both Jurado and Anya could make a strong case that they deserved the game’s individual honours, but ultimately it was Fonte who was the most important player on the pitch.
If the Senegal global remains a Southampton player, he likely stands a good chance of featuring in their Premier League home match against Norwich City on August 30.
They might have taken all three points but Etienne Capoue missed a glorious chance in the second half and Quique Sanchez Flores had to settle for a draw.
Mane – a reported recent target for Manchester United – raced past Craig Cathcart but saw his risky cross cleared by the Watford defence.
Watford should have gone in front in the 67th minute when Deeney’s flick-on at a corner found Capoue two yards out, but the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder somehow contrived to head over at the back post.
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“We could probably sign more players”.
