SAINTS under-21 coach Adam Asghar described his side's 2-1 defeat to Wolves as a "reality check" and a "steep learning curve".

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan's second half strike threatened to start a comeback after Saints went 2-0 down after 48 minutes to goals from Tawanda Chirewa and Owen Hesketh.

Highly rated prospect Sam Amo-Ameyaw was again in action for Asghar's side, having been named on the bench for the Southampton first team in their last two games.

Derrick Abu, who had missed some games through injury, came off the bench for the young Saints team.

Speaking to the official club media, Asghar said: "It was incredibly disappointing. I don’t think that the performance is going to get them where they need to be.

"It is perhaps a little bit of a reality check in terms of what the standards look like. We need to address that and I need to go back now and make sure that they know in no uncertain terms what is expected of them.

"I think that the disappointing thing for me is the lack of effort. We had a chance to get back into the game and still needed a little bit of a push to get excited about getting back into it.

"It is a steep learning curve and a steep observation for me to take but we need to address that and make sure we take up our standards because I don’t think that’s a performance to get them where they want and need to get to."

The 29 year old feels that having the desire to win matches is something the players will need if they want to progress.

He continued: "We are a young group so there is a little bit of immaturity there. Maybe it is something that they do not know yet. Maybe it is something that needs to be learned.

"Anyone who plays football in an academy should have that desire to win, to want to get the better of your direct opponent.

"Those are basics that will not ever leave the game at whatever level you are playing at."