Both Saints sides were beaten on Saturday, the first team was dispatched 2-0 by French top flight side Sochaux, whilst a youth side boosted by trialists lost 2-1 at the Camrose Ground against Basingstoke.

Both defeats were against opposition that would under the circumstances be considered superior opposition.

The first team game was once again a question of substitutions to ensure that most got a game as well as trying different players in different posistion and in truth the second and killer goal came very much against the run of play on the hour mark.

It could be said that Saints have gone against the coventional way of doing things pre season, in that usually teams build up gradually before they play sides the quality of Sochaux and indeed Thun, however we seem to be playing our toughest opposition firstthis summer.

At Basingstoke the good news was Bart Bialkowski was back in a Saints shirt and he got in a clean shirt as he played the first 45 minutes.

But it was not to be a good second half for the visitors, although they took the lead after the break and maintained a fair bit of pressure they conceded an equaliser and then a late winner, although in fairness it was a tough test for the youngsters.     

Photo: Action Images

Southampton Polls