SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted his substitutions “didn’t have the effect I wanted” as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Norwich despite an early lead. Che Adams had given the visitors the lead within the first three minutes before they were pegged back quickly by Teemu Pukki. Saints weathered that early storm to dominate the first-half but, as has been seen more than supporters would like, Saints failed to create anything of substance following the break and the Canaries capitalised via Grant Hanley.
Ralph Hasenhüttl said: “When you concede two goals like we did today then you need something extra in the game. We had a fantastic first-half, we didn’t kill them, dominating them is not enough against a team that is finding their rhythm, we must score more than only once. Finally, it was clear that the longer the game goes, in an open game, that the energy and crowd that is for the new manager it is normal that they try to attack on the back-foot and we have to play and take a point, take the draw. This is why I must say I am very disappointed with the second goal. The way we conceded this from a set-piece, they didn’t have a lot of chances to be honest but when you concede two goals like this it is difficult in an away game to take something.”
Ralph Hasenhüttl added: “This is very disappointing. This is something that is the most difficult, after dominating the first half and also changes it is the most difficult one. You can create chances, play well, effort levels are okay also, but you could also see that a few players haven’t reached the highest level today because of travelling with the international team or whatever. Also, the subs didn’t have the effect that I wanted today if I’m honest so the whole performance was not good enough to win against a team that is coming back from an early goal conceded, this is the Premier League and it is always tough. We have to do it better.”
