Gavan Holohan scored twice from the spot to dump the Premier League outfit of the fifth round of the competition in their home stadium. Duje Caleta-Car netted one to bring Saints within contention but they could not avoid a seventh defeat in nine matches in all competitions. Selles, taking charge of his second match as the new permanent Saints boss, admitted his disappointment but was still keen to apportion blame across everyone fairly.
Ruben Selles said: “I’m very disappointed with the performance and the result, we didn’t expect that as we prepared and dominated the opening part of the game, but it is difficult when you concede those two penalties. The first one, there is some errors in the build-up. We then set up everything to come back, because in a cup game this sometimes happens, but when you concede another penalty that shouldn’t happen it is difficult. We tried, we scored a goal and had one disallowed, but it was not enough from us. Both penalties were very, very frustrating for me and the staff. You should not allow this to happen because you do not allow yourself the opportunity to win football matches.”
Selles made nine changes to his team that were defeated last time out at Leeds United, as fringe players in his 30-man squad were given a chance to make a point to the Spaniard.
Ruben Selles said: “I am disappointed with the whole team, it is not about one player or more. They have been working well but when the moment has come to perform they are not there. We were not robust enough to go through moments in the game and come back, I will not change because I think the players are working well but the disappointment is big for all of us.”
Selles revealed that firm conversations had been had in the dressing room following the shock defeat, but insisted it will become a period of group reflection.
Ruben Selles said: “We’re upset so we have had a conversation and made some points clear, from them to them and from me to them. Then, it is a period of reflection. Everybody needs to reflect and tomorrow we will see where we need to continue going. We didn’t lack purpose, we didn’t create enough chances but we had a couple of situations and we know in these cup games it is hard no matter the opponent. You need to be composed but the two penalties put us out of the cup and out of the game.”
