RALPH Hasenhuttl explained his thinking behind a big tactical switch at half-time against Wolves on Saturday, suggesting his team had been too "static" in the first 45 minutes.

The hosts led 1-0 at the end of a tight first half, with Mohammed Salisu wasting a big chance to equalise just before the break.

Hasenhuttl, who had opted for an unchanged XI from Tuesday night's big win over Brentford, changed both shape and personnel at the break.

He replaced midfielder Ibrahima Diallo with striker Che Adams, shifting from a 5-3-2 to Saints' more familiar 4-2-2-2 system.

And the visitors very nearly battled back for a share of the spoils.

Despite Conor Coady making it 2-0, James Ward-Prowse fired home a stunning long-range free-kick, before Romain Perraud struck the crossbar.

Wolves sealed a 3-1 win late on thanks to Adama Traore.

Asked for his thinking behind the half-time switch and if he feels it had the desired effect, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "It was super tough. Against this team it is not so easy when you are static.

"You have to move more and with the ball I think we had more solutions in the second half.

"Also in the first half not so bad, but we didn’t really come quick enough in the last line and be behind the last line.

"But we had a few good moments, especially in the beginning, immediately a lot of corners. But we had the moments to score goals.

"In total, I see a step forward from the first game we played against them where we lost 1-0 but had no solutions at all. Now we had more and also more chances to score.

"Finally no point, and this is disappointing, but okay."