RALPH Hasenhuttl has revealed that Saints have discussed an apparent discipline issue in the last team meeting, following Yan Valery’s red card at Swansea City.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was given his marching orders just 30 minutes into the FA Cup third round contest after accumulating two bookings.

Just the match before, Mohammed Salisu's similar sending off left Saints with ten men for over a half of football during the 1-1 Premier League draw with Spurs.

In both scenarios, the defenders were penalised for bringing down a player who had already escaped their grasp and was bearing down on goal.

As well as leaving your side in the lurch, it also means your teammates have to go without you for another match in times when squad availability is already at its most fragile.

Hasenhuttl admitted that he is at least pleased to see Saints’ valiant performances in both matches, despite having a man less than the opposition.

“Like always in your life when you do something often, you learn how to do it,” the Austrian said, speaking ahead of the rearranged Premier League visit of Brentford.

“That doesn’t mean I want it to happen every week, it is a bit too much when you have it in the last two games both times after 30 minutes one man down, for a situation where get booked twice and a red card.

“We have spoken about this topic in the last meeting because this is not perfect.”

He continued: “But the positive thing is that you can learn from it and learn to defend with one man down, so we are not scared of this situation anymore, we know we can do it.

“This is something that time from time you have to do but as I said I don’t want it to happen every week because it makes it difficult to win games.

“But in the end it is good to know we have this strength.”