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Burnley would more than likely have won this game but for this latest, needless red card. That we came away with nothing is mainly down to him, and of course, it's not the first time his actions have cost us valuable points.
Most galling is the fact that this sending off was utterly non-sensical. It was Burnley's free kick in the opposition's box and a chance to mount another attack early in the game. His actions, in felling an opponent, to my mind elevate the issue beyond the captaincy role – surely he is now left fighting to salvage his Burnley career. As a result of this game he will spend an extended period out of the team, and defence is not an area that Burnley struggle to find either numbers or quality, at least on paper.
Other, fundamental questions need to be asked: Do we think Thomas is a good player? Is he worth all the time and effort invested? He's definitely someone who polarises opinion.
Here's my view: He is a big, athletic player who meets the modern-day physical demands of the game well.
The other indicators, unfortunately, are not great. Thomas is clearly someone of limited football intelligence, and possesses a flawed temperament. From what I have seen, he is not over-endowed with natural football ability. I get the impression that a large element of his game has been coached into him. Hence we see frequently the confused, needless last-ditch tackles, the mis-timed headers, and the ungainly thrashes into the stand every time there is a sniff of danger. The last Burnley central defender I saw with the closest footballing attributes was Steve Blatherwick – clearly not the most flattering of comparisons.
Can his career here be turned around? Cotterill has gone as far as he can in trying to engineer it and can do no more. It will have to come from Thomas, and it is not impossible. As we know, GNW may have done so on the back of a few good games, and he got the biggest cheer when his name was read out today. Who'd have thought that three weeks ago?
In the wider context, I think Thomas tried to sabotage something in that moment of madness that we've seen only rarely at Turf Moor over the last few years - something that straddles the tangible and intangible – opportunity and belief.
There seemed to be a heightened feeling of togetherness on that pitch: GNW off the transfer list; the players all pulling in the same direction, knowing their jobs. Going a goal up, it felt like Burnley were destined to win and move further up the table.
Elliott was busy. I like him. When he plays well we tend to be effective as a team. He may not be suited to every match situation, but he picks clever passes, doesn't lose the ball often and carries out his work efficiently. It was from work down Elliott's flank that we found ourselves a goal up. A long throw from Duff was flicked on, and Jones was on hand at the back to convert low across the keeper. We looked assured and to my mind only one result was likely at that point.
Then came the Thomas incident and Southampton were not long in equalising. A cross from Burnley's left was met by Rasiak doing what he does best – he'd risen above McGreal and the ball was in the corner of the net with Jensen nowhere.
Following this, was perhaps the most impressive period of the game from Burnley's point of view. We rallied, and for the rest of the first half gave as good as we got. In fact, we gave better than that. We were still attacking and although Southampton were becoming a more dangerous attacking threat, we got in front again. A free kick was hoisted into Southampton's box, and Gray rose unchallenged to head in. It looked a little soft, but it was just what we deserved, and silenced the few Southampton fans bothering to make noise.
Sadly, and in parallel, it was also rapidly becoming all about the referee; a flurry of one-way decisions mid-way through the half for the away team that confused everyone but (perhaps) himself.
The second half was always going to be a struggle, Elliott had been sacrificed for Sinclair in the first half, and we looked to be playing narrower and deeper, which in time-honoured fashion had the effect of inviting the opposition on to us. That said, it was mainly long-range stuff from them, and driving midfield runs from us, with James O'Connor standing out especially with one barnstorming scurry forward.
More bizarre referring, too. First a blatant Southampton handball waved away, swiftly followed by an equally blatant one from GNW that met with the same reaction and allowed him through for a chance to make it 3-1 that he was not able to take.
But it was Southampton's number 7, Skacel, who woke up Southampton's soporific support with a turn from around 25 yards out and a shot low into the left corner of Jensen's net to equalise. It was difficult to see from where I was whether Jensen could have done better. It occurred to me at the time that although accurately placed, it wasn't exactly a thunderbolt.
The away team were now sensing the win but it was Burnley with the next chance, and Gray's second major opportunity of the game. As the ball broke free, Gray found himself clean through on goal past a clutch of defenders. He elected to shoot early from around 18 yards with a rising shot the goalkeeper got behind. To my mind, he could have taken the ball further and tried to commit the goalkeeper. Perhaps he was unsure of the time he had, or whether his pace would carry him there.
Jensen went down needing treatment after diving on a ball with a Southampton player seemingly through on goal, and soon after the winner arrived as Rasiak rose to head in another soft looking one. There was time for some largely ineffective play from Mahon, on as a late sub, before Gray missed another chance – hooking a GNW flick-on from close range that the goalkeeper could only parry. The ball sprang across goal but inevitably at that stage the away team were the first on to it.
It felt unjust, and it was a sad end to a game that had promised much.