Danny Rohl has admitted that Southampton are in a ‘completely different league’ to Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday were left wounded yesterday as they let four goals in on their trip to the south coast.
The Owls had taken six wins from their last ten games in all competitions and had scored seven in their last two, but they looked completely off the pace as they were hammered by Russell Martin’s side.
The visitors managed only 29% possession at St Mary’s Stadium, while a number of defensive mistakes cost them any chance of even a single point.
Danny Rohl has now addressed the ‘difficult’ clash against the newly-relegated Saints, admitting that their gulf in quality played a big part in the defeat.
Speaking to The Star, he said: “It was hard, very deserved for Southampton who played well. In such a game you have to perform very well with no mistakes and to take everything you can get to take something here. After 30 seconds we immediately had a good pressing situation but they had good ball possession, a lot of movement between the lines, give and go and it was difficult to press.
“In the second half we changed the shape to adapt. There were moments it was not so bad from our side, we had moments to create something, we had the chance for a 1-1 but if you take the wrong decision or your rest defence is not well then they will score very well. At the end in such a game you have to be ready. It was difficult.
“Honestly, this team (Southampton), they are a different league compared to us when you look to their squad. They have really good players and they have different goals to us. For us, we want to stay in the league, they want to get back into the Premier League.
“I did not want to come here and park the bus, that was clear. It is not our identity, we want to be brave and do something. It was not enough and we have to take something, learn improve and go forward.”
The difference in quality
Southampton were only relegated last season, having previously spent eleven years in the Premier League.
It was only the summer before their relegation that they spent over £70 million on players in a bid to improve the squad – but went onto finish in 20th place instead.
Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday’s squad was bought for pennies and The Owls have barely spent £5m over the last five years.
The difference between the two teams was made very clear, though that still doesn’t forgive some of the poor performances on display yesterday.