Ralph Hasenhuttl warned that it might not be an advantage to Portsmouth that Saints lost their final match before the south coast derby.

A 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth was not much of a morale booster for Saints ahead of the Carabao Cup tie at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.

But Hasenhuttl has faith in his side, especially given their second half reaction after a dreadful first half showing at St Mary’s on Friday evening left them two down against the Cherries and with it all to do.

The Saints manager is clearly banking on a big reaction from his team when they try for a first Saints win at Fratton Park since 1984.

He said: “I told them that the second half was ok and a good reaction and exactly what we want to play at home for sure.

“It would help us massively if we go one goal in the lead at home but we haven’t so far this season and that is mentally not easy.

“I think the reaction was ok and finally we you invest so much you want to get something and we didn’t so we have to bring the heads up.

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage for Portsmouth that we lost this game.”