Southampton boss Ruben Selles admits teams who try and solely defend against Newcastle United rarely keep a clean sheet at St James' Park. The Saints were the latest side to experience a Tyneside defeat after succumbing to Eddie Howe's relentless Magpies in the second-half on Super Sunday.
Selles' side, who remain rock-bottom of the Premier League, took an unexpected lead shortly before half-time as Stuart Armstrong finished off a sweeping counter attack after Bruno Guimaraes was dispossessed. However, Howe introduced Callum Wilson at half-time and Newcastle soon reaped the rewards.
The striker helped himself to his third brace of the month, while Theo Walcott also put the ball in his own net in the eventual 3-1 Newcastle win. Speaking at full-time, Selles was full of praise for the Champions League-chasing outfit.
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"We came and we prepared and knew exactly what to do to neutralise their game," the Spaniard said. "We did it, we were solid in the centre and found spaces in the red zone and created situations on transition. We did it in the first half. Second half we knew they'd have variation and come stronger and more aggressive.
"We spoke about breaking the first line of pressure as there were situations to play one-vs-one or two-vs-two. We didn't make the passes and connect, and when you don't connect the passes and go backwards in the first few minutes, it becomes a hard game and you only defend.
"When you only defend against Newcastle it's hard to keep a clean sheet. We conceded the goal and it got our mentality low and reminded us of previous results. We need to be more robust."
Four Southampton players picked up bookings in the defeat as the game got a little niggly in the second-half. It seems Selles also went into the referee's book during the second-half for his touchline antics.
The Southampton boss never left the touchline for a single second during the top flight clash and was penalised for often stepping well out of his technical area as he barked instructions at his players.
"I was very active in the line and a couple of times I went out of the line and I don't even see what is my zone and then just a couple of comments with the referee," Selles explained at full-time. "It was all respectful and and we have a great relationship and it is nothing more than me being very active there and sometimes not knowing my place."
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