Saints started badly and had to weather a storm in each half, but launched a mighty comeback from behind to line up a dramatic ending to the game.

Saints once again rang the changes for the visit of Bournemouth for the first of the pre season friendlies at St Mary's.

It was all change at the back, Out went goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Tino Livramento, with Alex McCarthy, Ryan Manning, Lyanco, Shea Charles and James Bree replacing them.

That seemed a strange back line and smelled a little of giving people a game rather than picking a strong side.

James Ward Prowse was out of the squad after picking up a knock in training.

The starting line up was:

McCarthy
Bree, Lyanco, Charles, Manning

Edozie, Lavia, Alcaraz, Amo-Ameyaw

Djenepo, Adams

The game didn't start well though, Saints were struggling to get their passing game going and Bournemouth seemed to be playing on that and pushing forward on them with the Cherries opting for a very strong side and near full strength.

Bournemouth drew first blood on 14 minutes when Ouattara with a powerful downward header across goal that beat McCarthy.

But if that was bad enough two minutes later and it got worse, Saints lost the ball trying to play it out the back and Christie was there to make it 2-0.

At this stage it was not going well and although Che Adams had an effort that was tipped round the post it was McCarthy who was the busiest keeper.

The on the stroke of half time the new boys teamed up to halve the deficit, a free kick from Ryan Manning was met with a thumping header from Shea Charles and Saints were back in the game.

Will Smallbone, Kyle Walker-Peters were the only two changes at half time coming on for Romeo Lavia and James Bree..

But things weren't going any better and Saints should have gone 3-1 down on 53 minutes , as Saints tried to play it around at the back Alex McCarthy was clearly not comfortable and gave the ball straight to a Bournemouth player who laid it on for Solanke who somehow missed the target.

Another raft of charges followed on 61 minutes, Tino Livramento, Duje Caleta-Car, Jayden Meghoma, Jack Stephens and Stuart Armstrong all coming on and the game was also about to change.

On 66 minutes Stuart Armstrong received the ball on the left hand side on the edge of the box, he curled the ball into the left hand post, in truth the keeper should have done better, but nobody cared in the home sections Saints were level and Bournemouth were on the back foot.

With 20 minutes left the change of the team was complete Moussa Djenepo, Che Adams and Shea Charles going off and being replaced by Kamari Doyle, Adam Armstrong and Nathan Tella .

Now Saints looked a different side from the one that started the game and on 84 minutes Nathan Tella almost gave Saints the lead, Tella tore up the wing and tried to cross the Adam Armstrong but it's blocked back to him before his second effort is cleared off the line by Neto in the visitors goal.

By now Saints were looking like they could win it, but in typical Southampton fashion just two minutes later they gifted the Cherries a win, giving the ball away in the midfield and David Brookes raced clear and slotted the ball under McCarthy for a 3-2 win.

It was very much a game of two halves, or at least nearly two halves, perhaps more 44 & 46 minutes to be exact.

Saints looked disjointed first half and the possession football did not seem to be working, but it is early days yet and pre season friendlies are all about getting things right and ironing out the intricacies.

From this perspective Russell Martin will have learnt a few new things from this game, but the one thing ne needs to truly learn is who is staying and who is going.

Clearly some players are going to take more time to adapt than others and indeed perhaps some are not going to be able to adapt to the tactics at all.

Once again there were a lot of players missing and indeed some of those on the pitch may well be gone by the start of the season.

But there were plenty of plus points from this not least that Ryan Manning showed that he could be a major provider of assists in the coming season and Shea Charles showed his adaptability and finishing power.

Hopefully on Saturday against AZ Alkmaar, Russell Martin will fine tune his side a little more and show the Saints supporters that we can be a force to be reckoned with next season.

Photo: Action Images

Boris1977 added 22:26 - Jul 25 Sounds like a match report from the last few seasons but we know we're going to face an uncertain start. It's only pre season but surely McCarthy's limitations are already as clear to the new man as the majority of all of us. With him in goal we will concede goals both our own players mistakes and the opposition catching him at the near post. Norwich tickets booked - still not sure what I'm going to be dished up with.

3

1teeminants added 04:58 - Jul 26 As I said before McCarthy has been making mistakes for a few seasons now and still continues to do so even with a new manager in charge. It’s just incredible incompetent and embarrassing that those in charge continually pick him. Sort the keeper and central defence out in this window before it’s too late. I think we’ll be fine once those positions are sorted.
4

highfield49 added 10:12 - Jul 26 Just a few days ago Lyanco was reported to have failed a fitness test at Besiktas due to a cartilage problem. I can't decide whether it's the medical personnel or the journalist's talent that lacks credibility. The biggest challenge pre season continues to be a method of explaining to McCarthy the fundamentals of goal keeping. The club must be aware that his ability is not top level so why persist in keeping him in the squad? If the younger keepers are less talented then surely it has to be a priority position in the transfer window.

4

kristianJ added 10:12 - Jul 26 Not too much should be read in to pre season friendlies, although it’s a bit odd that we keep playing players who seem to be near the exit door. Also does anyone know what has happened to Sulemana and Ballard who don’t seem to be featuring in preseason?
1

dellboysaint added 10:17 - Jul 26 McCarthy is a massive weak link and his nervousness with the ball at his feet must unsettle the defence, not to mention his weakness at the near post. It does not give grounds for optimism this season if Martin picks him. It is surprising that the club have not seen it necessary to invest in a proven goalkeeper…neither McCarthy or Bazunu are proven keepers.
3

HythePeer added 10:50 - Jul 26 In the prediction league this season, I will put down a 2 - 0 loss for every game. What position do you think I will get?
-1

SanMarco added 15:14 - Jul 26 6th just above me with my 46 1-2s HythePeer!!
0

davenbennett added 08:48 - Jul 27 It's not 'early days' but adjust over a week to 1st game. Has anybody, even Martin, got a clue what the team will be v Sheff Weds? And will that be similar to V Sunderland after the transfer window closes? We want to play tippy tappy football out from the back, just like Ralph and Selles. But we are not good enough to do that. I see us letting in more goals from errors playing that way, then we score. The Bournemouth game is a portent of what's coming - and it's not promotion.

3

Monksway added 09:49 - Jul 27 It's just the reality of the situation for a relegated side with an overblown squad from three managers. I think things are getting clearer. We know who isn't going to be involved and have been missing from all the friendlies. We expect JWP, Lavia and probably Tino to go in the next ten days. It's likely that Che and KWP will be in the initial squads but go before transfer deadline day and be replaced. McCarthy is a problem and central defence is too slow and not good enough on the ball to play RM possession ball and will need to have some changes. But Smallbone and Charles could be good. Tella, Edozie, Mara and the Armstrongs should all stay and hopefully Alcaraz.

3

mascott514 added 19:10 - Jul 27 Think we will be fine Theres a lot of talent in our squad, and the Championship will mean more chances, more time on the ball. The Premier league you'll be doing well to get two or three clear chances, and you'll see more in this league. I think we need to be very patient, up to end of November, and then see how we are coming together
1

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