SAINTS boss Russell Martin believes there is "a lot to feel positive about" after their 1-1 pre-season draw against Lazio.

Valentín Castellanos stunned St Mary's with an acrobatic equaliser after Ben Brereton Diaz had given Saints the lead.

The hosts were twice saved by the woodwork in a second half marked by a brawl which saw Charly Alcaraz and Alessio Romagnoli sent off.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin said: “There was loads of positives.

"There was a lot of stuff to work on as well, but bar a ten-minute wobble after they scored, I think the lads were really good.

“It'll do them the world of good, some of them playing up St Mary's for the first time. Woody, Ben, Ronnie, Charlie Taylor, all these guys.

“I think there was lots to feel positive about. I think there was a few really good performances.

“As I said, I think they'll be players that really learn from tonight and take a lot. It will help them on the journey with us."

Prior to seeing red, Alcaraz had been one of Southampton’s top performers.

He got the assist for Brereton Diaz’s opening goal and looked closer to the player he was in his first months at the club.

“Yeah, he was good tonight,” Martin added about the Argentine. “I’m really disappointed for him that he got sent off in the way that he did.

“He had a couple of guys playing in front of him that have really been brilliant. That's why he struggled to get in the team last year at that point.

“He just needs to keep doing what he's doing."