WHEN Saints switched back to their ol’ reliable 4-2-2-2 from this new, experimental, five-at-the-back shape, they went from two goals down at home – to rejuvenation.

If only football was as simple as where you put your players on the pitch, but it is a telling sign for Ralph Hasenhuttl that the automatisms are there.

The Austrian boss admits, after their 20 minute comeback to draw 2-2 with Leeds United in the second Premier League match of the season, he has thinking to do.

Saints played all five of their pre-season matches in the new formation, and stuck with it for both Tottenham Hotspur and the visit of Leeds.

Asked if this result is indication he should revert back to the 4-2-2-2, Hasenhuttl responded: “Sure, we'll have to, but we also have to see why we are again conceding goals.

“But I think the first half was very equal. We had, I think, some good moments, some good opportunities also but it was very tactical.

“But when you are two goals down then you go for everything,” he added.

Hasenhuttl used four of his five substitutions available to facilitate the change, but only three of those actually came before the 90th minute introduction of Jack Stephens.

Adam Armstrong, Joe Aribo and Sekou Mara all came on with the likes of Jan Bednarek making way, and all three provided either a goal or superb assist.

“Every substitute was very good today. We spoke last season about the five substitutes being game changers for us and we showed that today,” Hasenhuttl said.

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