Frustrated Saints boss Ronald Koeman is hoping he won’t see another defensive performance from his side like the one that cost them a chance of capitalising on a weekend of shocks in the FA Cup.

Though the Premier League is Saints’ top priority this season, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham slipping to shock defeats in the FA Cup fourth round, the competition has really opened up.

However, Saints won’t be there to take advantage as they were beaten 3-2 by former manager Alan Padrew’s Crystal Palace at St Mary’s.

Koeman was fuming about his side’s defending, a rare negative for the Saints boss this season whose side have the most miserly back line in the top flight.

He said: “For the fans maybe (it was entertaining) because after 22 minutes it was 2-2 but too much mistakes.

“If I talk about our defensive organisation normally one of the strengths of the team but not today, not working together, too much space in the positions defending.

“They punished us to score three times and maybe to miss another two goals and that was the problem the first 45 minutes.

“We controlled it a little bit but defensively very poor.

“You can’t defend like that with the qualities what they have in front, the confidence they have.

“Second half much better but not good enough to score more and score the draw at least.

“Bad first half defensively was why we lost.”

He added: “Yes frustrating because two times winning in the game and too soon the draw against.

“Maybe after the 1-0 two or three minutes, after the 2-1 the same question and then it’s difficult.

“That’s strange because it’s one of the strengths of the team but not today. Defensively poor, very poor.”

Koeman was particularly frustrated with Florin Gardos, with the Romanian centre half withdrawn at half time after 45 minutes which saw Saints leak three goals.

“First of all I wasn’t happy about the performance of Florin today in the first 45 minutes,” said Koeman.

“He was not playing good and in the first minute of the game he did a mistake and I think that is all about concentration.

“It was not only Florin but the whole team working in defending but in the second half I think if I put Ryan in that position at least in our ball possession we have a left back in that position and that was much better.”

With so many big guns going out of the competition, it is an opportunity missed for Saints but now the focus has to be on a successful finish to the Premier League campaign.

“Everybody will say the same, it’s a pity because the big ones are out of the FA Cup and you know it’s difficult to beat every team, not about the level because everybody is fighting to win games in the FA Cup,” said Koeman.

“It was a difficult one, we knew it before. Crystal Palace are doing well with a new manager and they punished the mistakes we did in the first 45 minutes.

“Now total focus to the Premier League for next week.”