SAINTS boss Stuart Gray came away from Rotterdam yesterday more confused than when he went.

On Friday, Gray said he was not far from formulating his opening day line-up, but he admitted after Saints' 1-0 defeat by Feyenoord: "It's given me a bit more food for thought."

Gray said: "I saw lots of positive things in the game, and it's possibly made my job in picking the team against Leeds a little harder.

"But I don't mind that if people are making my job difficult for the right reasons."

Saints went down in searing heat to Ebi Smolarek's first-half goal, and Gray said: "Who knows, it could be as hot as this against Leeds.

"We showed them a little too much respect for the first 25 minutes but once we got back into our own game we caused them problems.

"We were dangerous at set plays and caused them problems in open play as well, and were unlucky not to score when Stuart Ripley hit the post.

"They're a quality team, they finished runners-up in the Dutch League last season, they're playing in the Champions League this season, and they've got some quality players.

"They've spent fairly big during the close season, and it showed, but if this was a European tie you would be happy with the performance, if not the result.

Although Gray was encouraged by what he saw, the perfectionist in him picked out one or two faults.

"Generally we defended very well, but I was disappointed with the way they scored, and our passing in the last third could have been better.

"But when we close teams down we ask questions of them and we have to win the ball back as early as possible."

Saints came through the game with a full bill of health, although Gray said: "We took Rory Delap off as he had a bit of a stiff calf, but it was purely precautionary and he'll be OK."

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