Boss Kieran McKenna admitted that the Blues’ 2-1 home defeat to bottom club Southampton was a really poor result, particularly as he believed it was a game there for his team to win.

Joe Aribo gave the Saints the lead against the run of play on 21 before Liam Delap levelled with his ninth goal of the season 10 minutes later.

The Blues had chances to go in front but failed to take them and the visitors claimed their second Premier League win this season - and their first on the road - via Paul Onuachu’s 87th-minute goal.

“Its a really poor result for us, no doubt about it, especially on the balance of play and the feel of the game,” McKenna said. “It felt like it was definitely a game there for us to win.

“I thought we were the better team, but it’s not really any consolation at this moment. Today was about picking up the points.

“I thought we started well, had the much better chances throughout the first half, then went behind with the opposition’s first real chance or first entry into our box after 20 minutes.

“Had the chances to certainly go in at half-time with a lead, but weren’t clinical enough to go and take the chances and then in the second half we didn’t create enough as we wanted to.

“Still had the game under control, didn’t give anything away really, but didn’t execute well enough in the big moments that we were getting.

“And then conceded a really poor goal where we were breaking away and then they win it and they break away, we don’t defend the situation well and it’s a late goal against us.

“It’s a really poor outcome to the game. There were some good things in the game but I think they get lost in the result today, to be honest. We’re very frustrated.”

Soon after Delap’s equaliser, Nathan Broadhead had the first of a couple of opportunities but Saints keeper Aaron Ramsdale saved from the Wales international.

“I think it was a good chance for us, it was a great save, but we got to so many good positions in the game,” the Blues manager continued.

“Southampton give you the spaces. There were so many opportunities, we got round the edge of the box, we got one-v-ones, we had opportunities around the edge of the box, but we weren’t able to execute well enough to go and score.

“And they come on and execute in the last minutes, a substitute off the bench scores the goal and we don’t defend it well enough.

“It definitely felt like a game where we certainly should have been going in at half-time with a lead, not having to chase the game back.”

The fans left Portman Road with the mood as flat as at any point over the last few seasons and McKenna said the dressing room was little different.

“It’s pretty similar in there,” he continued. “We’re all disappointed, frustrated. Today was an opportunity for us, not because of the narrative that Southampton aren’t good, they’re a good team, but because of the balance of the game.

“It was there for us, the pictures in the first half were exactly what we wanted, what we knew it would be.

“They went man-to-man, every time we got a connection off we were breaking into huge spaces and everyone’s very, very frustrated that we felt like the game was there for us but we didn’t execute well enough to score the goals that we could score in that game.

“And we’ve had not too much penalty box defending to do and we’ve come up short a couple of times with two soft goals. Everyone is very frustrated.”

One positive was full debutant Julio Enciso’s performance, the Paraguayan having joined on loan from Brighton just over a week ago, while McKenna had said on Friday that there will still be a significant number of games, 14, remaining after today regardless of the result.

“I think Julio is a fantastic player, he’s been a shining light at the training ground this week. His play, his energy, his enthusiasm for the game, I thought he showed a really, really high level,” he said.

“There’s a lot of football to be played. I don’t like saying it, but it’s another game and it feels like all season [I’ve been saying that], but that’s just the reality of where we’ve climbed as a club.

“We’ve got players making debuts, we’ve got players playing with players they’ve never played with before and that’s been the case all season.

“When you have the change that we’ve had, when you have had the ascent that we’ve had, you have that [change] through the first half of the season, then you have a period now where we’ve tried to improve the squad because we feel like we need to make another step up.

“But then you’ve got players settling into the team and building relationships on the pitch and that takes time.

“At the moment, we’re not able to turn the margins consistently enough whenever we perform well and are in games, and that was something that we were absolutely exceptional at last year. The balance of the game today is completely different to when we beat them last year.

“Last year, I think they were probably the better team in many aspects. When we played them early in this season, I thought it was a 50/50 game and I thought today we were the much better team in most aspects.

“But at the moment, the group, we don’t consistently turn the margins in our favour in tight games in which we’ve played well to go and win or even to pick up the point, and that’s been the case on too many occasions this year.

“The only answer is work, it’s time together, it’s still a really new group and, of course, they’re learning the lessons in the toughest league in the world.

“And now we’ve got new players coming in and they’re learning and feeling the group. We’re bringing players off the bench who are still settling into the club, to the level, to their teammates.

“And that makes it a challenge to come out on top in the margins as consistently as we would like to do.

“But the only answer is work and we’ve got time to do that now. We’ve got some training weeks ahead, the games aren’t as frequent in the remaining months of the season, so we’re going to work really, really hard with the group to find ways to turn these tight margins in our favour more often.”

Quizzed on whether he might want to add some more bodies to the squad before Monday’s 11pm deadline, having said on Friday he wasn’t anticipating any more moves in or out, McKenna said: “Not another body but the quality, yes, if it’s there. You can see the level that Julio has given us today, he’s a really, really high level, he certainly will improve us.

“And if there are players out there who can improve us, then we’ll look to do it and the club’s working really, really hard to do that, but, of course, many, many clubs are in the same situation.

“I said my feeling is that there probably won’t be movement. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but we’re not expecting it and we’re focusing on the group that’s here at the moment.”

TWTD

Kickingblock added 12:12 - Feb 2 I booed with most of those around me at the final whistle! I didn't plan to, it's the only way to let it be known that I was in the very least disappointed. How else can you berate them? I know about positive encouragement but it's not easy to be a "model supporter". I am paying for entertainment here. Satisfaction is not guaranteed and it's hard to keep your emotions in check in the heat of the moment. Sorry some fans don't feel the same, I, like others, turn up, patronise the bar and support with my hard earned money. I knew before kickoff that Southampton had come for the win, let's face it, it was their most realistic hope and chance! There's still a lot of football to be played, two years ago I couldn't give spare tickets away! Hopefully they can sort it out. What a journey.

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RobsonWark added 12:19 - Feb 2 You threw that game away the second you listed Muric on the team sheet.
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bluesince76 added 12:56 - Feb 2 Why hasn't morsy been replaced not a prem player muric a bad buy football is a results driven business at the highest level there should be no room for sentiment what a crap season so far.
0

Cloddyseedbed added 13:02 - Feb 2 After going to the game and watching the highlights this morning, these are my views. Muric should not play for the club in goal again. We were warned by Burnley fans before the deal was done, shocking signing. Full backs do not stop crosses coming into our box, unlike all opposition fullbacks that we seem to come up against. Our wingers can't beat their man and put good crosses in, they seem to like to cut in, run into traffic and lose possession. Midfield is too slow and play too pedestrian. Morsy is not good enough and nor is any of his partners for this league. Phillips should have been sent back to Man City. We can not afford his wages for the performances he has given us so far. We seem to love signing young light weight number 10's or wide players. So far they have given us nothing. Aston Villa worked Philogene out in the short time he went back. It was purely a money maker for them. Our team now looks very unbalanced with all the changes and devoid of a recognised system or indeed how to change play. Yesterday was a must win game but in fairness to Southampton, we never looked like winning. Our high press, hard working, pacey game has now been swapped for a slow build up game where we easily loose possession and do not win 2nd balls. Can't see us beating anyone unless our attitude and performance gets back to where they were earlier in the season.

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ChrisFelix added 13:52 - Feb 2 Goal keepers win promotions, such as Walton & Hladky. Shame Muric will relegate us. Sadly Morsey has come to his sell by date. His slowness kills any chance of a quick break which was the key to our 2 previous promotions
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Dissboyitfc added 13:58 - Feb 2 Well according to you blueboy he was found out last season and the season before, yet we got promoted both times! Talking about naivety, anybody who thought staying up was going to be easy is naive in the extreme, staying up was always going to be a massive challenge! Who should replace KM I assume you have a short list Blueboy? please share! I am 100% behind KM , well almost, the signing of Muric was definitely a strange decision!

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:01 - Feb 2 Well , if ever you want to see a collection of negative posters , talking absolute rot, this is the news item for you . Think some of you need to take a deep breath and think before you post.
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Orraman added 14:12 - Feb 2 Sorry Bert - down arrow by mistake
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Carberry added 15:37 - Feb 2 What do you think of the Emperor's new clothes, Dozzells Bobblehat?
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BangaloreBlues added 15:54 - Feb 2 We need AT LEAST 20 points from our remaining 14 matches. Problem is, we currently have 16 points from 24 matches. At the same rate, we finish on 25 points and relegated. We need to be a completely different team for the remainder of the season, but unfortunately we appear to have become worse over the last month. I hope this result serves as a real turning point, the kick up the butt that's needed, but now I would be very surprised if we do stay up. I remain positive. I believe we CAN do it. But the performances don't show that any longer :-(

1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:03 - Feb 2 Realistically, I don't think we will stay up. I think we'll go down with Leicester and Southampton. Wolves seem to have a bit more PL nous and experience, and boosted by their win, I expect them to stay up. Of course, we shouldn't throw in the towel. The number of points needed to stay up will probably be quite low this season as four teams have been cut away from the rest. If we go down, we rebuild and come back stronger. We are only in year 3 of the 5-year plan, so in a sense, we are ahead of schedule. If we can keep a good number of the squad we already have (it won't be Delap, unfortunately), then we should be a very competitive Championship side next season. COYB!

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Chris_Knights added 16:04 - Feb 2 Sorry …. Reading this mindless drivel … one simple statement WE AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH!!…no changes will work when you don’t have the quality and we don’t have the quality … ask yourselves which players would a premier league team buy from us now? Answer 2 ( Delap and Davis)…. You cannot stay in the premier league with two premier league players….
0

atty added 16:05 - Feb 2 Good buy/loans this season: Delap, Hutchinson, Smodics, Cajuste,Townsend, Greeves, O’Shea,Obgenie, Ensiso Jury out:- ClarkeJ, Johnson,Godfrey, Philogene ( not enough game time/to soon.) Good byes: Muric, Morsey,Phillips, Ensiso,Cajuste, Godfrey, .? Ali AlHamadi, Clarke H, Delap, Davis, Hutchinson
-3

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:37 - Feb 2 Carberry I would rather be realistic and supportive of a hugely successful management team than be negative and critical . On squad value alone we should be bottom of the league . It doesn't mean we aren't disappointed or lack ambition. It just means we are entitled, miserable ba***rds.
2

tractorboybig added 16:53 - Feb 2 atty cajuste philogene johnson clarke j muric townsend hutchinson oggenie all average championship players out of their depth and poor signings
1

Carberry added 16:56 - Feb 2 What do you expect, Dozzells, everyone saying what a wonderful journey we've been on? I get that you want to see the bright side but the reality is we are heading for relegation, that's what your hugely successful management team have achieved, I'm sure all those clubs like Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Forest etc all had the smallest value squads when they were promoted but they are now established Premier League teams. We don't look like surviving after 2 thrashings and losing at home to the bottom team. So you aren't really being realistic, are you?

2

Dissboyitfc added 17:35 - Feb 2 At the start of the season it was widely considered across the football world the 3 promoted teams are likely to get relegated, so staying up was always going to be a massive challenge and if achieved quite miraculous, so failing to achieve survival is hardly a reason to slate the team , club or supporters. I do wonder what people think booing achieves? It won’t put players in a more determined mindset will it! Probably the opposite in fact! The team need the support more than ever!

2

eddiespearitt03 added 17:45 - Feb 2 Won't have many more chances to get 3 points. A typical example of not turning possession into goals.
3

blueboy1981 added 17:52 - Feb 2 Dissboyitfc ..,,, maybe it’s about time they deserved it then, instead of people like you keep making excuses for such failure ? Why bother with Promotion at all then with your defeatist attitude ? - you condone every defeat, even against the Rock Bottom Club ! What does that achieve ??
1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:13 - Feb 2 Carberry what I expect is what the crowd against City and Liverpool did. Support the team . This squad have been brilliant. What did u expect this season ? We were/are odds on to go down and if we were to survive it would be a huge achievement
0

bluebullet29l added 19:16 - Feb 2 Stating is wasn't a must win game was ridiculous km and you know it and we all know it. Games are running out and I don't see where the points are coming from. Out of ideas or out of your depth...its one or the other or both.
3

Eeyore added 19:19 - Feb 2 Well said Suffolkblue, joyousblue and Heavyweight( not going to argue with him!) for your positive comment amoungst a sea of defeatist negativity. Churchill would be turning in his grave (if he supported Town). Most of the posters in here need a reality check. I was at the Barrow FA Cup game a couple of seasons ago. Remember that? They did sell good pies but that was probably the only positive. The club and the team can fight through this difficult patch if the supporters continue to be supporters. A clue to how a supporter should behave is in the word ‘supporter’. All our players have given everything, as have the coaching staff. We can still avoid relegation. Enjoy the (bumpy) ride!

3

WestSussexBlue added 19:47 - Feb 2 There seems to be a change in how a lot of supporters are viewing Kmc and the team. Let’s just remember we’ve arrived probably Two seasons ahead of schedule. We’re trying to adapt very very quickly, make the right signings and manage an ever growing injury list to let’s be fair, key players. Let’s not turn at the first opportunity. We’ve ridden the crest of a wave as a group, now we must ride the choppy waters as a group. Whatever happens, we will emerge stronger.

2

Carberry added 20:18 - Feb 2 Dozzell, I'm sorry but I just buy into your attitude. You just expected to be thrashed by Man City and Liverpool did you and you are going to lay down and accept it? How do come up with the 'squad have been brilliant', we are in the relegation places, so they manifestly haven't. What you are saying is the group of players we have just aren't good enough to stay in the Premier League - and that's pretty obvious. But what you are also saying is you accept failure, it is inevitable. When I go to games I support the team but it doesn't mean I can't be objective and critical in the cold light of day.

3

dirtydingusmagee added 20:34 - Feb 2 Eeyore i dont think its so much that players havnt given everything , its that at the end of the day they just arent good enough, AND KmK is afterall a manager on '' L '' Plates . I do believe we will go down now. The big test and question is who will remain to fight for another chance that includes the manager. Contracts mean little they can be bought out, ,Loyalty has been a rare thing in football since football is about money . Unless we can suddenly turn things around and a couple of other teams come off the rails we are back in Championship next season .Bitter pill it may be .

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