SAINTS manager Russell Martin admitted his “frustration” at defeat to AZ Alkmaar in their final game of pre-season but insists his side “were dominant”.

Mayckel Lahdo scored the only goal of the 0-1 affair at St Mary’s with just six days until the Championship season gets under way for Saints at Sheffield Wednesday.

It was a third defeat of pre-season after a loss to Benfica, draw with Goztepe, comfortable victory at Reading and Tuesday’s night’s late winner by AFC Bournemouth.

However, Saints have clearly implemented a new style and Martin is happy with the work his team have done – and believes they will be in a good position to attack Hillsborough next week.

READ MORE: Player ratings from Saints 0-1 AZ Alkmaar

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the match, Martin said: “It’s been good, we shouldn’t have lost today – we gave away two shots all game, one in each half, and we lose. It’s a bit frustrating really.

“I thought we played well. We were dominant but didn’t make enough of the moments we had, it broke down too often and we need to be really all-in in these moments.

“It’s not been a problem in the last games so I don’t think it will be a problem during the season, but it was another good learning curve for us playing against a really good team.”

He added: “The fact is we were so dominant on the ball against a really good team and pressed really well. We just needed to show a bit more calmness in those moments and not concede a poor goal.

“I’m frustrated we lost and the mentality has to be that we aren’t happy with losing, even if it’s pre-season. Overall, I’m really happy with where we are after four or five weeks.

“The team might look different next week to how it did today because I don’t know what will happen and it will certainly look different to when the transfer window closes.”

Although Saints were unable to find the net for the first time since pre-season officially kicked off – Benfica was a behind-closed-doors fitness exercise – Martin rejected the suggestion of a different approach.

“I think we were playing against tougher opposition, they weren’t told to be more conservative – I don’t know why we would do that,” the former Swansea City man said.

“It was hard to break down their first bit and then it went to the wingers – and they want to go and do their stuff which is fine, but it needs more end product than today.”

“We were unable to keep sustaining it, we didn’t spend long enough in the final third. The game kept breaking down and we’d have to win the ball back but it wasn’t a more conservative approach.”