Southampton boss Russell Martin says he was “hurt by the lack of spirit and fight” his side showed in their 3-1 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.
The result leaves the struggling Saints winless after six games back in the top flight and 19th in the table with just a solitary point – their joint worst start to a campaign since 1998-99.
Martin was particularly angered by the way his team appeared to capitulate after Evanilson scored the opening goal for the hosts, who then added two more before the interval.
“They make 20 fouls to our 10 or whatever it is – I think that sums up the whole game,” Martin said.
“We were soft. Whatever personnel you have on the pitch, 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.
“I didn’t recognise our team. I didn’t like a lot of what I saw, and I was hurt by the lack of spirit and fight. Normally I’m proud of them for the courage they show, but there was no aggression, no courage, no intensity to play.”
While Saints did improve after being booed off by the travelling supporters at the break, Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ second-half header proved little more than a consolation for Martin’s side.
“I thought I made enough of a deal about Bournemouth and the way they approached the game and how good they are at certain things,” Martin added.
“Obviously it wasn’t enough, because we looked like we were unprepared for that, which, considering the work we’ve done is crazy.
“After starting well, literally the first setback we have in the game they score. I’m coming off the pitch at the end of the game and I thanked them for running and fighting in the second half and actually I don’t think you should ever thank them for that, that should be the bare minimum.”
Southampton are next in action when they travel to face Arsenal in the English top flight on Saturday (15:00 BST).