Well we knew before hand it was going to be difficult and it turned out to be a match too far for us.
When Southampton turned up the pressure in the second half, we had no answer to the quality and ball possession they displayed.
OK, the goals might have been a bit fortunate, but a glaring miss by Beattie, and a debatable non-awarded penalty, were let offs so things were probably even.
In the first half signs were promising.
Good possession, counter-attacking in numbers, but only really half chances to show for all our efforts.
Second half we became encamped in our own half as Southampton pushed the play back into our half.
We had no answer once Marsden had given the home side the lead.
I feel we missed Ince in the midfield and Ndah up front, for his pace and directness at running at defences.
Andrew’s inclusion was a surprise. I would have gone for Rae but the Irishman did well until the tackle that left him going off the pitch on a stretcher.
Blake looks well short of the player that we enthused over earlier in the season, hopefully he’ll get on top his game soon.
Newton and Kennedy, as usual, weren’t involved enough in the match, which added to the pressure on the central midfield and the defence.
All the defence played well. Lescott, as ever, was awesome, Butler solid but unlucky with the own goal and Irwin steady and reliable.
Murray has looked a bit edgy in the last few games and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Oakes back in the team very soon.
Overall we looked like what we are, an above average Division 1 side.
We need to ensure that we don’t start on a slippery slope of defeats now, as the next two games are vital and also as challenging as you could ask for.
Come on the Wolves!
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk