Will Still insists Southampton ‘did a lot right’ during defeat at Bristol City

Will Still insisted he retains full confidence in his methods after Southampton fans vented their anger at the end of a 3-1 defeat at Bristol City.

Saints have now won just one of their last 10 Championship games since a last-gasp victory over Wrexham on the opening day.

The visitors took a 30th-minute lead at Ashton Gate when Adam Armstrong advanced on to a Shea Charles through ball before chipping advancing goalkeeper Radek Vitek, but it proved a false dawn as Anis Mehmeti’s equaliser and Scott Twine’s brace gave the hosts the points.

A large contingent of travelling fans booed Still and his players at the end, but he emerged bullish about his chances of turning things around.

“Again we have gifted our opponents points by failing to take numerous chances and paying for some defensive mistakes,” Still said.

“Unfortunately, I can’t put the ball in the net for my players, much as I wish I could. What I can do is give them the right processes from which to work and I think our performances are showing they are working.

“In the first half we were in total control of this game, scored a great goal and just paid for one mistake.

“We started the second half well too and had great chances to go back in front before they had a bit of luck with a ball that hit someone’s backside and spun against a post to create their equaliser.

“I have been a football fan myself and I totally get that they pay their money and have the right to criticise. From the outside this will look like a poor Southampton performance, but if you analyse the game we did a lot right.”

Saints were pegged back just three minutes after taking the lead as Mehmeti capitalised on a deflected pass from Rob Dickie to fire past Alex McCarthy from 12 yards.

Twine netted from close range after Zak Vyner’s deflected 57th-minute shot had rebounded off a post and struck again seven minutes later, capitalising on yards of space to run through and lift his shot over the diving McCarthy.

City head coach Gerhard Struber said: “I am very happy because we did not play well in the first half-hour, but in the end the players have adapted to changes we made and beaten quality opponents.

“To start with we didn’t get our press right and the gaps between our lines were too big. Southampton’s players were able to find space and cause us problems.

“It was so important that Anis Mehmeti equalised as quickly as he did. At half-time we were able to change our shape a bit and you could see them becoming frustrated in the second half and taking more risks.

“We were able to capitalise on that and our finishing was better than in some games. It is important that Scott Twine does not just score from free-kicks and tonight he showed that he can get other types of goals.”