Every word Southampton's Still said after loss to Stoke City

What was the difference between the two teams?

WS: They've been hyper-efficient and we haven't. I think the most frustrating thing is that we've again gifted them the first goal. We talk about not playing into press and that our first pass has to go outside before we play in and manage to switch. 

We've made it really difficult for ourselves by smashing it into midfield, not being aware of what's around us, losing it, getting hit on a transition. But you create your own luck. We got deflected twice and then Gavin Bazunu made a save and it was what it was. 

Then the red card happens and you think that you've got to start forcing things and that something needs to happen, but that's the total opposite. You've got to stay calm, you're in the game as long as it's 1-0. We've been caught out by nothing of a ball forward. 

We're not ready to defend it and on two transitions we've lost the game of football. Which is probably the most frustrating thing. Again, we've created enough situations. We've hit the post twice in the first half. We've missed big opportunities in the second half.

Their keepers made a really good save. I think it's just that cutting edge of efficiency that they had today, and that we didn't come up with. We just need to learn how to be a bit more business-oriented and just get the job done. Kill games off when we have opportunities, and we haven't done that. We've gifted them three points.

What do you put down to a lack of precision in added time?

WS: It's not the easiest thing to do, to play against such a low block when you're a man up because they just throw everything at it. But we need to be better than what we were, I think. Even in the first half, the opportunities they've had, we've given them.

We just need to be a bit tidier and a bit more efficient in the way we move the ball and the way we get the ball up the pitch. We've fallen short in the last five, six minutes are probably the perfect example of that.

How have people reacted to losing that match so far?

WS: A lot of disappointment, I think that's understandable. But I think we just have to be honest towards ourselves. We have to up the level, we have to up the quality of what we're doing.

But most important is to up the efficiency and cutting edge to what we're trying to do. Because if we don't score and we make it easy for the opposition by gifting them too many situations, at one point you're going to concede a goal and that's what's happened. 

But again, we've got a game on Tuesday, we've only played three and we've had all three results now. We need to learn from it, pick ourselves up and go again. It's not a question of drowning our sorrows and feeling sorry for ourselves.

We know exactly where we've fallen short and we know exactly what we've got to do. So we've just got to get on with it and do it, but not feel sorry and look for excuses. Our excuses are that we haven't done enough and we've given it to them.

Is there anything you can tell us about Welington's injury?

WS: Yeah, he's twisted his ankle pretty badly and it was the ankle he's already had a few issues with, so it doesn't look great. But I think we have to give it 24, 48 hours before we can properly assess what's gone on. It's not the best news.

Was Armstrong's substitution tactical or enforced?

WS: He was injured, his back seized up when he got a knock and it seized up, so he couldn't walk, he couldn't keep going. So yeah, we had to make that one.

What do you like about Armstrong as a number nine?

WS: Well, normally it's his efficiency, he gets one chance and in the Championship he normally scores it. But again, we're just trying to get everyone up to speed. I think Damion's [Downs] not quite there yet. He was ill and not had the minutes that he needed.

And Roscoe's [Ross Stewart] probably the same, he missed a whole week and we're building him up. And Cam [Archer], he probably could have used Cam in that position and put Arma right, but then the choices that you make in hindsight are a beautiful thing.

Are you happy with the four strikers that you have got?

WS: Yeah, it's more a question of how we get the ball to them and how we create our chances, because for the moment we're crossing the ball a lot and getting the ball into the box, but it's not quite spot on yet, and we need to mix that up as well.

We need to be able to play through and have that thread passed that we're missing for the moment. But I think we've been saying that for a few weeks now, even a few months. It's just a question of can we get that done, and can we sort it out.

What can you tell us about Dibling's move to Everton?

WS: I think he's got medical in the coming hours or coming days, and he'll probably move up there. So yeah, that's about it.

What do you want to sign this summer to replace him?

WS: I think we still need a couple of things. I think a number 10 has been a question since the start. But we also need a bit more creativity from the outside with one or a few wingers that can have one opportunity and stick it in the back of the net, which is what we're working towards. But it takes a bit of time.

Have there been any promises that the money will be invested?

WS: Yeah, we're working on it, but you obviously need people to leave the building as well because the squad is still the size that it is and we need to keep working on that. So again, it's a work in progress.

We know how long is left in the window. But yeah, I think everyone's been clear on it and everyone's aligned on it. I know everyone knows what we need, it's just now a question of getting it done.

Is there anything imminent then in terms of signings?

WS: Erm, yeah, I don't know. There might be a few things. But we're very conscious of what it needs and what it looks like and I think today was again a prime example of that.

Sugawara was not in the squad. Could he leave this summer? 

WS: Potentially, yeah. I think, again, he's been told that he needs to be in the top five leagues to be able to get anywhere with his national team. That was another factor. So, yeah, there are a few.

Are you open to dipping into the loan market for signings?

WS: Yeah, 100 per cent. I think whatever it takes to get stuff done and get the right people and the right players in will do what it needs.

Is there any cause for concern with Armstrong's injury?

WS: He's had it before, I think, what I've been told. It's just annoying. But we can sort that out and hopefully go again on Tuesday.