Walker-Peters: We can't brush that under the carpet, it's unacceptable

The Mariners left the St Mary’s outfit on the wrong side of one of the all-time cup shocks as the League Two club knocked out Premier League strugglers.

It meant Ruben Selles was denied an FA Cup quarter-final in his first management job, just months after Saints defeated English champions Manchester City in the EFL Cup.

Walker-Peters, who walked the team out with James Ward-Prowse named as substitute, is one of the stars whose future becomes uncertain if the club are relegated.

The 25 year old has become a leader in a young group and fronted up to media questions following the embarrassing defeat on Wednesday evening, with Saints also bottom of the Premier League.

“We definitely need to reflect on this game because it is unacceptable, you can’t just brush that under the carpet,” he said.

“I think this is (the lowest point of the season), I think when you give away two sloppy penalties like that against a lower league team it’s always hard to turn it around.

“I thought we showed a good reaction but it was a little bit too late. We’ve spoken about a few things that we need to change in the dressing room,” Walker-Peters admitted.

“Obviously I’ll keep that private but we’ve said that we’ll use tonight to really reflect on this game and then from tomorrow start to focus on Saturday.”

Asked what he can say to supporters who will be the brunt of jokes from work colleagues – after spending up to £19 on a ticket for the clash, in addition to their season ticket – Walker-Peters hoped supporters can continue to back them.  

He responded: “That’s all part of football, these things can happen. I say to the fans to stick with us, we’ve had spells like this in the past and we’ve turned it around before so let’s hope we can do it again.

“Of course, I hate losing games. I don’t like being bottom of the league. Of course, I’m concerned and I’m angry about the situation but as a senior player I need to keep a level head and keep encouraging some of the younger players, showing my quality on the pitch.

“We need to focus on Saturday, we’ve got a really big squad but that means five or six people out the squad are really hungry because they want to be in.

“Sometimes it can spur people on and sometimes it can work the other way, so if it works the other way me, Prowsey and Theo (Walcott) need to get onto them.”

The defeat did mark a return to the starting XI for Walker-Peters for the first time since an injury picked up at Newcastle United in January.

“I felt really sharp,” he said. “I had a small injury previously. It’s nice to be captain of Southampton Football Club, it’s something that in the past I’ve said I want to do. But ultimately, I’m disappointed with the result.”

The Saints schedule resumes with a visit from Leicester City on Saturday, March 4, in a televised 5:30PM kick-off.