A NUMB Gordon Strachan admitted the past ten days have seen the worst sequence of performances in his time at Saints.

A Kieron Dyer double and a Laurent Robert strike saw any dream of a return to the Millennium Stadium extinguished at the first hurdle as Saints were out-played at St Mary's on Saturday and beaten 3-0 in the FA Cup third round.

The defeat follows consecutive Premiership losses to Fulham and Arsenal, with Saints again offering little threat in attack.

"I didn't feel at any time like we looked like winning these three games," conceded Strachan, pictured above.

"I don't think that has ever happened in the two and a half years I have been here to put three games together like that.

"I don't think you could even put two games together when we have had no chance of winning.

"It's not a suicidal period, but it is hugely disappointing.

"At this moment in time there is a numb feeling. Anger is fine if you have been unlucky - if you are angry at something that has happened.

"But to know 20 minutes from the end you are out of the Cup is horrible."

If Strachan was honest in his assessment of Saints' form, an air of mystery surrounds what he thinks the current problem is.

"I do think I know why it has come about, but I don't think it should be public knowledge," he said.

"Newcastle had better players, playing better than us. Quicker players, playing better than us.

"Sharper thinking players playing against us and that has given us a problem.

"Our focus wasn't great. Once they got the first goal I think there was only going to be one winner.

"There was a wee little flurry at 2-0, but at 3-0 there was no one who thought we were going to win it.

"A few games ago we were fourth in the league. We were never convinced of that and we have proved that, although I didn't expect the performances to be like this.

"It's been a difficult ten days - Fulham, Arsenal and Newcastle!"