Manager reaction to Cup thriller

Last updated : 29 August 2024 By Michael Morris

Erol Bulut

"We can take a lot of positives from the game when we see the youngsters playing against a Premier League club."

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"We had it in our hands at one stage and had Cian Ashford hit the target with his big chance it might have been different.

"But they showed their quality and experience in the end. It was disappointing to concede just a few minutes into added time. It would have been nice and exciting to have taken it to penalties.

"In the first half we showed them too much respect and I told them that at half-time. In the second half we used a high press and it was good."

Southampton boss Russell Martin:

"I'm really happy with the win and I'm pleased for my young players. But there is also a lot to be annoyed about."

"We conceded three goals and the game descended into chaos in the second half. It was a moment of brilliance for their first goal from a player I have admired for a long time (Rubin Colwill), but we took our foot off the gas and dropped their intensity.

"That was a big learning curve for the younger players. They took some liberties in the first half and they will be better for the experience and they showed real grit.

"I thought James Bree was outstanding and we wanted the team to put pressure on the players who are playing in the Premier League. They did that and it will have been a great night of learning for them."