A record breaking night for Southampton Football Club, but what did we learn from the most one sided match I think I have ever watched Saints play, read on to find out all about the action at Rodney parade.

The record books were scoured last night to reveal that Saints 8-0 drubbing of Newport County in the Carabao cup last night was the record away victory as well as equalling the 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland back in September 2014 and also of Northampton Town in December 1921.

Saints fans arrived at Rodney Parade expecting a cup tie atmosphere and a tough game from a side who in recent years have had a reputation for taking on Premier League sides and making them work for their money in Cup ties.

However this was not to be one of those nights, the ground was far from packed in the home sections, surprising given that this was the first chance for Newport fans to see their team at home in 18 months.

Those Saints fans wanting to see youth would be disappointed, the team was one of mostly experience and Ralph Hasenhuttl's starting XI revealed just how much we have come on this season in terms of building up the squad.

There were only two players in the starting line up who started against Manchester United on Sunday, but Armando Broja and Nathan Tella aside the team had a wealth of experience.

Newport did come out with a little bluster but the pattern of the game was soon set when Saints broke away in the 9th minute and Nathan Redmond saw his shot hit the underside of the bar and there was Armado Broja to show great composure in controlling then ball and firing home for the first goal of the evening.

On 25 minutes it was 2-2 when Nathan Tella scored and on the stroke of half time Kyle Walker Peters made it three.

It could have been more and up to that 3rd goal there was still the nagging doubt that the home side would come out all guns blazing second half.

That was put to bed within 3 minutes when Moi Elyounoussi scored the first goal in his Saints career to start off a 20 minute spell that in total reaped 4 goals that saw Saints 7-0 up with 21 minutes to play.

At this point Newport must have feared conceding double figures and although we continued to dominate and their attacking thread was virtually zero, it would be the final minute of injury time before we hit the 8th and final goal.

In many respects it is hard to really say what we got out of it, we can't get too carried away with the result, but it was a pleasing display as it showed a squad that now has depth and seems to be playing for the manager, given that there were truly only two perhaps three players who most Saints fans would pick in their starting line up, it shows how the summer signings have boosted the squad and we can now go into games with at least two players in every position.

So what did we learn.

At the back very little although Kyle Walker Peters showed that he should be playing in the team and we need to accommodate both him and Tino Livramento.

Yan Valery made a pleasing contribution, a couple of years ago he looked destined for the top and proved himself at Premier League level, but he lost his way, last night he looked like he wanted to play for the team, perhaps he does have a future at the club, although he will now find it tough to get in the team.

In the centre of midfield Ibrahima Diallo showed that he is a player that can win the ball and move it quickly, again he will find it tough to get in ahead of JWP and Oriol Romeu, but if he does get a run he might just prove that he can't be left out.

Armando Broja looked both mobile and strong and is a different type of striker to Che Adams and Adam Armstrong, he took his goals well and although this was against a League Two side, I have seen many a Saints team struggle against lower league opposition.

Moi Elyounoussi looked the part and hit a hat trick, he clearly looks like he wants the opportunity to show what he can do, something he failed to do in his first year at the club, again he will find it hard to get into the team but he could be useful off the bench,

So from an individual basis it is hard to get too worked up, this was an easy fixture and the disappointment is that we didn't hit double figures, we really should have done, but from a team perspective there was a lot to take.

It showed that having made 7 signings and with an 8th announced in the hours before kick off Ralph Hasenhuttl has truly put a squad together this season and has now got the two players in every position.

Given that this was a virtual reserve team as we used to call it, the signs are encouraging.

There were players in this team who would have been regarded as first choice three years ago when we were struggling pre Ralph's arrival, Stephens, Redmond & Elyounoussi to name but three, who are this season likely to be fringe players and it was more about the players missing than those who played that showed our depth.

So a good day at the office, but this result will mean nothing if we don't turn it into a win at Newcastle, we have weathered the trials and tribulations of last season and showed that we have rebuilt the squad and are now ready to move forward again.

No one should get carried away by this result, but it is something that we should see as a sign that the club is progressing and that we are far from being the relegation fodder that some predicted, that doesn't mean we are top 10 material, but it does show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Photo: Action Images

A1079 added 09:59 - Aug 26 I didn't see the game so I cannot comment on the quality of it, but I was extremely pleased to see the result and the goalscorers. You can only go and beat what is in front of you and in recent years Newport County have made it difficult for some visiting sides so we had no room for complacency. The other positive is that, when we have played a team of fringe players in the past they have not always gone out and proved themselves. It seems like this group had the right attitude and approach. Like Nick says, a result to be pleased about but it needs to be kept in perspective. Saturday will be more of a guide where we are and recent results and performances at Newcastle have left alot to be desired. It would be nice to reverse that trend. I have my ticket. For those coming up from down south - the East coast is not warm - breeze and cloud coming off the North Sea it is about 4-5 degrees cooler than the south coast at the moment.

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ElijahK added 10:14 - Aug 26 Although this was a great game and result, I just hope that people won’t get too carried away with it seeing that it was a league 2 opponent, but still this game has helped to prove/show soo many things, and certainly has put the team in great optimism for the Newcastle game! I mean not only has it broken our record for being our biggest away win (although I’d just have loved it to be 9-0 to help end all that BS), but everyone on that pitch (maybe bar Forster, Stephens and Bednerak seeing that they had basically nothing to do!) had such a great display and showed us of just how decent our squad depth is this season and how Ralph sure will have a hard time picking the starting 11 for future games, if this was to continue. Personally after seeing some of the displays from yesterday, and from the Man U game, the only changes I’d make to the team that played Man U, is maybe giving Walker-Peters a start, as well as playing Elynousie over Walcott and if Armstrong’s back, him over Djenpo, but even then that Beoka looked really decent as well as Tella, both of which looked like the ideal sort of players to bring on if things aren’t going our way on Saturday. As we really should be going into that game expecting the 3 points as they’re struggling and couldn’t even beat Burnley on penalties.(still at least these results have helped to shut up all those “Ralph out” people)

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StEdmund added 10:27 - Aug 26 This was a banana skin game as other PL teams have found out in the past. Saints had the character and desire to win for whichRH must give credit. At least we should have a decent bench this season, whatever happens.
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SaintPaulVW added 10:49 - Aug 26 Agreed you can only beat what is in front of you. However, a great performance leading to a big score can only be a confidence booster for the whole squad. Plus it may up the performance level for those who may start to feel their starting place can't be taken for granted. COYR - August points count double!
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derbydog added 11:01 - Aug 26 Has to be the end of Shane Long I feel. He didn’t make this second string line up, came on as sub and still couldn’t get a goal against this level of opposition. Top bloke and a decent player in his time with us but time to get games elsewhere. Might be true for Obafaemi as well?
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ExiledSupporter added 11:13 - Aug 26 Well, 3 goals and two assists surely suggest that Elyanoussi deserves a first team run out in the place that Walcott strolls around so ineffectually in?
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JoeEgg added 11:17 - Aug 26 A very sensible report Nick - thank you - without getting carried away. Disappointed to see that McCarthy is now the number one keeper - that is a worry and the centre of defence will be tested Saturday and that could be another concern. For me the Newport performance does nothing to convince me that Ralph is the man for the job. His team selections, tactics and use of substitutes baffle me when we take on stronger opposition. On the positive side we now have more strength in depth and some young players with immense promise. I wish we could have acquired a leader at the back and surely we are going to need a goalkeeper? But from the player perspective things have improved enormously so credit to those concerned- but we mustn't lose Stuart Armstrong. So good to see different players scoring the goals but the Premier League will be a different challenge and so often our strikers do not get the necessary service with the tactics employed by Ralph. My only negative then is the manager. I was a great supporter of Ralph when he arrived, but like Ings and Vestergard I lost all confidence in him. I hope he proves me wrong but I think the manager is our Achilles heel - a nice enthusiastic guy who in my opinion is just not up to the task.

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WestSussexSaint added 13:54 - Aug 26 Agree with Exiled. Elyounoussi has to be knocking on Ralph’s door this morning about starting against Newcastle and saying what else does he have to do. It’s not as if Walcott has put in strong performances in the last two games and if S Armstrong remains unavailable the Mo deserves a chance.
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ItchenNorth added 13:58 - Aug 26 I would have played Adam Armstrong and Broja together in this game. Armstrong so he could fill his boots, get goals and even more confidence, and Broja (who is a quality player anyway), to see what a partnership with Adam Armstrong could develop into in the Premier League. Broja is no mug or lacking in experienced having scored a few on loan in the Eredivisie. Yes, it was only Newport, but I'm also glad that it appears that Saints will take the cups seriously and put out a strong team each round.

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Colburn added 14:00 - Aug 26 Nice for Ralph to have a positive record win as our manager.. Great to see Broja off the mark, looks like the end for Long and perhaps Obafemi with Tella being third choice at present. Fair play to Elyonoussi, maybe he can be a good addition this year after his experiences at Celtic. At least it looks like we have a squad full of players who are keen to wear the shirt and give everything, this could be the difference this season. Have to follow this up with at least a point on Saturday.

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schatfield added 14:18 - Aug 26 come on you grumpy lot, why aren't you all more excited we just won a game 0-8!! I dont care who we beat, we won 0-8! It was a fantastic game with loads of great performances. Love Tella and he seems the happiest man on the planet whenever we play. Fab.
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highfield49 added 14:47 - Aug 26 I've only just got to see the highlights on the official site and it made it appear that the game was a bit one sided. Oh, yeah it was. The difference in pace, stamina, ball control, passing and any other area of the game was huge. Absolutely no disrespect to Newport but the gulf between the sides looked to be beyond their ability and a demonstration of the depth in our current squad. Broja and Tella in support of Armstrong and Adams is an exciting choice when required. As has already been said, Long and Obafemi are surplus to requirements and Elyounoussi has certainly developed his game. A result at Newcastle would be the icing on the cake of a very good week.

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KilkennySaint added 15:06 - Aug 26 I didn't see the game but very happy with the result. Yes it was Newport but 8 goals away from home with most of the first team missing is still impressive. Good to see Broja get off the mark, KWP get his first competitive goal as well as Tella & Redmond scoring. I was hoping to see Simeu in the line up and get a run out. Happy for Elyounoussi, i still think we have a gem here, hopefully his hat-trick will get him more opportunities in the fist team, compared to the chances Redmond & Theo have been given its time for Elyounoussi to get his.

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davidargyll added 18:23 - Aug 26 What is it going to take for people like Joe Egg to get more positive about Ralph? Yes I have been a fan, then not a fan, but now I most certainly am one. In light of the last two games and the transfers we have made, I am reminded of a famous saying by one John Maynard Keynes which is relevant:” When circumstances change I change my mind; what do you do?” So are we not pretty close to at least thinking about reversing your “Ralph must go” mind set…?

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saintmark1976 added 19:40 - Aug 26 You can only beat what is front of you and yesterday evening that was a team who made a half time substitution and brought on a player who according to radio Solent is forty two years old. Perhaps schatfield that is possibly one reason why we shouldn’t get too carried away?
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schatfield added 20:08 - Aug 26 saintmark1976, you are missing the point, it was an enjoyable game of football, so enjoy it and who cares if their sub was 42 years old! I am not getting carried away, I am just enjoying this team and sport that we all like to watch
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DellBoyWally added 20:11 - Aug 26 https://team-picker.files.bbci.co.uk/southampton-starting-xi-eaf3f59755764d9365c
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