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'We're so close to being very good'

Russell Martin
[Getty Images]

Russell Martin spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Southampton's defeat against Manchester United: "Any level when you don't respond to a set back, we were brilliant up to that point then we missed the penalty and it changes the atmosphere, changes the momentum a little bit.

"But if you defend set plays in that way, that's not about Premier League talent, that's not defending properly. That's a mentality thing. I'm sure people will point to that being the Premier League and being punished but we have to defend better at whatever level we're at."

On the second half: "It's difficult because they do things at 2-0 up that they don't do at 0-0 when there's a bit of tension in their game because of the problems we caused them.

"But we were still in the game, the longer it went on, I felt we were getting into it a bit more than we get a man sent off and it's almost impossible to claw it back. Then it is about avoiding too much damage.

"The mentality of the players was great until the 96th minute when we let a ball inside us in the box, which is unacceptable so I'm annoyed about that.

"But the lads gave everything and I saw so much to be positive about."

On change of shape: "I'm so happy with so much stuff. We don't lose because we get carved open, we lose because of two moments in our box and a missed penalty. Then we can't recover from that so it's frustrating but I'm really happy with some of what I saw."

On Tyler Dibling: "He's a really, really talented player. We have to manage the expectation and his load because he came off with cramp. He's an outstanding young man and an outstanding talent, we love working with him."

On need to get first point: "Then everyone relaxes. I feel that we're so close to being very, very good and very competitive. But we can't keep defending second-phase set plays like we did today."