Howe: Saints were just too good for us (From Daily Echo)

Howe: Saints were just too good for us

7:20am Monday 13th February 2012 in Sport

Eddie Howe admitted Burnley were second best in their 2-0 defeat at Saints.

The former Cherries boss had no complaints about the St Mary’s result, even if he was surprised to see his in-form side so comfortably defeated.

“This was always going to be one of the toughest examinations of the season, but I don’t feel we performed to our usual standard,” said Howe.

“The first half was as poor as we’ve been for a long time and that was just so uncharacteristic of us.

“I thought we did better in the second half, but Southampton were just too strong for us on the day and sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.

“I know they have spent a lot of money, but they have bought well and they are a strong team.

“That’s probably as strong as they have been all season with players coming back from injury, so we knew it was going to be probably our toughest game of the season.”

He added: “We made changes at half time because I wanted to freshen things up. I wasn’t happy because we lacked energy and we lacked spark.

“We couldn’t get to grips with them or win any second balls.

“We improved for 20 minutes and we were well on top. If we could have got a goal then it could have been interesting.

“But it didn’t come and we have to look at ourselves and ask if we could have done better.

“The two goals were disappointing and neither phases of our play, attacking or defending, were right.

“I felt only maybe Lee Grant, who played well, and Marvin came out with any real credit.”

Burnley now host Barnsley on Tuesday before a Sky TV match against Reading on Friday and continued: “It’s the end of a good run, so we have to start another one now.

“We have to win our home games now because all possibilities are still open to us.

“We are still in a tight group chasing that top six, so I don’t think we should get too down on this one result.

“We’ll just take it in isolation and look to bounce back.”