The Cherries raced to a three-goal lead through record signing Evanilson, Dango Ouattara in fortuitous fashion, and Antoine Semenyo at Vitality Stadium. Defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis spared Southampton further embarrassment with a header, but they never looked likely to mount a second-half fightback.
In a post-match interview with the Daily Echo, Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed his frustration and disappointment with the team’s lackluster performance and mentality.
Russell Martin said “I think it surprised me, I was a little bit hurt by the response to conceding as we started the game so well,” Martin began, acknowledging the mixed emotions that followed Southampton’s earlier promising start. He also wanted to address the traveling fans, adding with a small gesture of apology, “We were much better in the second half but whatever personality you have on the pitch and whatever way you play… If you lack the fight and aggression and spirit and togetherness and courage that we lacked in the first half, you’re going to have a big, big problem.”
Reflecting on their preparation,
Russell Martin said “We spoke about Bournemouth taking quick set plays and playing forward and all of their strengths, which is why it hurt even more. I feel we prepared the team to understand the opposition’s threats and strengths but I haven’t given the team enough in terms of mentality. That really hurts me because I think they are traits as a human being have got me this far, so far, but the team hasn’t got it tonight. So that’s my fault.”
Expressing his frustration at his players’ response to setbacks,
Russell Martin continued, “I think that should be the bare minimum. Obviously, I haven’t given them enough in between their ears to respond properly to a setback. It’s ridiculous. Then that takes over and then they go into self-preservation mode and I hate that. I hate that from our team. Don’t look after each other. With the ball, just dump the ball on each other. They start throwing their arms at each other. I’ll never accept that, ever, and that’s a problem.”
Martin did praise some individual performances,
Russell Martin said “They should start. Ross Stewart is outstanding. Adam Lallana. They show fight and spirit. They show courage. They show aggression.” However, he ultimately lamented the overall lack of fight from his squad. “Bournemouth make 20 fouls. We make 10. I think that sums up the whole game. It’s impossible if you’re not going to fight. I need to work out a way.”
The defeat leaves Southampton searching for answers and hoping to rekindle the fighting spirit that has distinguished the club in the past. Meanwhile, Bournemouth will be pleased with their clinical display, which underscored their sharpness and strength going forward.
