Downes: There's a lot of positives
Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes said that although the changing room was "gutted" after opening day defeat at Newcastle, there is plenty to take into the rest of the season.
His side enjoyed the lion's share of possession at St James' Park, helped by the sending off of Fabian Schär during the first half.
But the only goal of the game went the home side's way; Alexander Isak gifted the ball before setting up Joelinton on the stroke of half time.
"I think everyone in the training room is absolutely gutted," admitted Downes. "But there's a lot of positives to take from the game. I think even when we started with 11 vs 11, we were playing so well.
"We were breaking lines, making opportunities. But we made a mistake and they punished us, so it is what it is. That's what comes with playing this way. But we'll bounce back.
"I think this is probably the toughest place to come. Especially for our first game, the crowd, we knew there was going to full press. I mean, they've got absolute athletes, got 11 athletes on the pitch, so we knew their press was going to be tough, but the boys were unreal.
"The bravery they showed, as I said, not just when it was ten men but when it was 11 vs 11 for the first half hour, we were so good. But we're just going to dust ourselves off and go again.
"As long as we perform like that we're going to be just fine. I think it's clear to see the way we played there was so good. If we do it at home with our crowd behind us, we should be fine."
