SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted “you could feel the tank was empty” during their 1-0 defeat at Wolves on Saturday.

The Austrian used all five of his available substitutes and even trialled three different formations during the course of 90 minutes.

However, the visitors could still find no answer to Daniel Podence’s first-half opener and suffered a third defeat of the Premier League campaign.

The clash at Molineux came as a third game in seven days, with home matches versus both Manchester United and Chelsea proceeding it.

“We have a third game in the week and when we see the sprints, from Romain (Perraud) in the left-back position for example, we had outsprinted Chelsea on Tuesday,” Hasenhuttl said, reflecting on the defeat.

“You could feel that the tank was empty and we had to do something. When you see the workload we put on the pitch in every game, it is not surprising that we use all five subs.

“It was necessary and the good thing is we can do this now and we have these players on the bench who can help us.”

He continued: “We have a team that is working for each other. Even if we did not get something today, I cannot say that this was a big difference between the games."

Saints had come from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 days prior, thanks to goals from Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong – while United held on for a 1-0 victory last weekend.

“You have to go all in to try and take something,” Hasenhuttl added, when probed on the efforts his coaching team made with tactical tweaks to get back into the Wolves clash.

“I don't want to go home with a 1-0 defeat, because this is always the toughest to take and that's the reason why we try until the end. And I saw the belief, the behaviours that I wanted to see."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook