Individual errors continue to hurt Southampton in third straight loss

The goal, once again, was the first real chance Saints conceded during the game and was a product of an error when playing out from the back.

Shea Charles, who had limited passing options ahead of him, was dispossessed on the edge of the box by the Jamaican international when trying to drive the ball forward.

Mistakes are to be expected when trying to totally overhaul a playstyle, particularly given the increased risk when playing out from the back, but the frequency so far has cost Southampton some crucial early season points.

It takes time before those changes can be seen in full force, and making errors is a part of that process, but the need to start a promotion-chasing season well makes that a difficult act to balance. 

Much of the early season optimism, which resulted from Saints earning 10 points from their first four games, has been shattered after a run of disappointing losses.

Although the season is still young - Tuesday’s defeat was only Russell Martin's eighth competitive game in charge - it doesn't make it any easier for supporters, or Martin himself, to accept.

“We are seven (league) games in and we’ve lost three,” Martin said after the game. “It’s been really disappointing to lose three games in a row.

“But we are trying to build something that is so far away from where the club has been in terms of style and culture at the training ground.

“I think I can say that without being disrespectful to anyone - a culture of feeling valued and loved by the people who are in charge of selecting what we do and the team.

“I hope they are building trust with that. I think that they are because we have been really consistent with them.

"I don’t think many people have enjoyed the last year or so, but you really have to show that in the toughest moments."

He continued: "How we respond on Saturday, we will see the guys who are all in and have the courage to keep going until we get it right.

“We are paying for some mistakes at the moment, which is part of it. I’m still really excited about what we can build and what we can do.

"It’s up to us to bring the club together, which is something we have been able to do at our two previous clubs.

“I’ve got no doubt that we will be able to do that again here. We’ve just got to have a little bit of patience with the players and have some understanding of what they’ve been through to help them through it. I’m really convinced that we can do that.”

More errors began to creep into Southampton's performance after they fell behind, as Ipswich sensed an opportunity to capitalise on a team who are still showing the 'scar tissue' of last season's relegation.

Joe Aribo, who was in for his first start of the season, turned straight into danger after receiving the ball on the edge of the box, while others lost possession in the midfield.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was somewhat sympathetic towards Martin and insisted that he thinks Saints' fortunes will turn around at some point this season.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, the Northern Irish manager said: "We knew the game was going to be really really hard. It was just as hard as we expected.

"When a team is coming off a run of games where they have conceded goals, and a certain type of goals, it’s probably clear the areas that we were going to try and target.

“But (Southampton) are a really good team. Russell is building a playing style here, but that’s not easy.

"It would be easy for me to sit here and just say they’ve got fantastic players, they do have fantastic players, but integrating those into a style of play isn’t an easy process.

"I can’t comment too much on how that is progressing, but I know that Russell is a really good manager.

"I’m sure they will certainly improve and get some results and moments at some stage in the season.”

Game momentum graph (Image: Fotmob)

While cutting out the defensive errors will limit the number of goals the St Mary's side concede, they also need to improve their fortunes at the other end of the field.

When Southampton were able to gain entry into the final third, they lacked the end product required to beat Vaclav Hladky.

The Czech goalkeeper even pulled off a save with his face to deny Che Adams from close range when the Scottish international looked certain to score.

Eight of the 13 Southampton managed in total were taken in the box - with the majority of those either saved by the Ipswich goalkeeper or blocked by their resolute defence.

Some fears about Saints' ability to convert their ball dominance into goals persist after a run of three games which has seen them only score once.

Adams is without a goal since his late winner against Plymouth but has scored three in six games while also creating chances for his teammates.

Current top goalscorer and captain Adam Armstrong has seemingly found a permanent home in midfield when starting before being moved forward up the pitch late on.

With a winless Middlesbrough up next on Saturday the expectation from the fans will be for nothing but a win.

If Southampton are to compete for promotion, as was the target before the season got underway, they can ill afford to slip to a fourth straight loss.

Burnley only lost three games last season when they won the Championship at a canter last season.

Sheffield United's record of 11 losses would be a source of encouragement, but in a long Championship season, Saints need to focus to sort out their persistent mistakes.