Boss Jim Magilton admitted he had no idea why his side performed so poorly against Southampton after the impressive displays at QPR and Preston, where the Blues lost after dominating for most of the game. Town were second best throughout against a Saints team which has now won its last three matches.

Magilton said afterwards he didn't know where the woeful display had come from after the generally improved recent form: "I didn't see it coming for a second. It stunned the life out of me.

"Performance-wise, football-wise and quality-wise I don't know how we could be so different.

"We were second best all over the park from start to finish and, in terms of desire, Southampton wanted it more than us. They were ravenous.

"They showed a willingness and desire and were outstanding, whereas we were shockingly bad. Maybe we underestimated them and got spanked because of it.

"It's the worst result since I've been manager and you can't defend the indefensible. The crowd had every right to express their opinion.

"We've got to hold our hands up and accept that it wasn't good enough and one or two of the lads will have sleepless nights.

"As a player, you have to look in the mirror and accept that that wasn't good enough – and the same applies for me.

"I have always said the team that shows the greater desire normally wins the game and they were better than us in every department all over the pitch. They battered us to be honest and we could have lost by more.

"I used the word humiliated when I spoke to the players after the game and that is how I feel. The fans had every right to criticise after that performance. It was embarrassing.

"I have been on the end of heavy defeats here before but not in that fashion. It was shocking and I don't know why because we went into the game on the back of two very good performances.

"That has been us at home this season. We looked nervy, jittery and couldn't string two passes together. Kelvin Davis hardly had a save to make and the goals we gave away were shocking.

"Fair play to Southampton, they played well on the night but we let them play. I can only apologise to the fans for that display and now we have to pick ourselves up and go to Wolves on Tuesday night and get a result.

"The boys have to show me their character. I'll find out who the real men are in the dressing room.”

Southampton head coach Mark Wotte had special praise for the scorer of his side's first two goals: "Jason Euell has done fantastically for us tonight. I am pleased with him.

"When I started this job I gave him three times a substitute role, and every time he had a good impact - so I put him in the first XI.

"His contract is expiring, so he has personal reasons to play well. He feels confident, like most of the players, and he has done brilliantly.

"It was, for me, very important that everyone recognised the important situation we are in.

"We have five games in 12 or 13 days. We have to be mentally very strong and also physically.

"Two home games don't make us survive in the Championship - neither does this victory. We are still in trouble. We have to be serious - because it's a serious situation."

Wotte felt his side's two disallowed goals should have counted: "We scored five goals tonight. I think the referee saw something that I did not see."

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