Southampton: Downes insists Dibling deserves Premier League goal

Dibling, 18, put Southampton in front against Ipswich before Sam Morsy fired a deflected equaliser in additional time to see the game end 1-1 at St Mary's.

Downes, who was the captain on Saturday, revealed that Dibling strikes him as a humble player who is willing to put his head down to reach the next level in his game.

He added that senior players at Saints will look to help and advise him when possible - as did midfield partner Adam Lallana following their win at Everton on Tuesday evening.

"He deserves everything he gets," Downes revealed with a smile on his face. "He's some talent, he's some bloke as well.

"So yeah, he's just got to keep his head down, keep doing what he's doing and he'll be some player.

"Do you know what, there's a lot of young players that let things get to his head and stuff like that.

Flynn Downes said senior Saints players will help Tyler Dibling (Image: Richard Crease) "I don't think he's (like) that. I think he's just got that humbleness, do you know what I mean? That down-to-earth, get-your-head-down work ethic.

"Don't get me wrong, senior lads will definitely help him and try and advise him and stuff like that."

Jokingly asked about Dibling's socks, which he wears around his ankles, Downes responded: "Do you know what, I'm not having a word with him about anything. The way he's playing, he can do what he wants."

Dibling's maiden senior goal looked set to be the winner before a stroke of luck spun Ipswich captain Morsy's effort into the top corner on 95 minutes.

The Egyptian international was unmarked at the edge of the box and his speculative effort took a wicked deflection off the onrushing Joe Aribo.

"I don't want to be negative but it feels like a loss so it's a tough one to take at the minute," Downes said reflecting on two points dropped. 

"There were so many positives to take from it but I think we've got to see the game now. We've got to either control the game or put it to bed by getting a second.

"I just didn't think we'd done that well enough in the second half. I think it's such a tough one to take.

"It's 20 yards out, deflection, top corner. It's so hard but we've got to look at things before that. We've got to stop the crosses. 

"It's the 90th minute, we've got to control the game. We've got to be smarter and like I said we've got to take the positives from the game and move on to Monday (against Bournemouth)."

Saints have now conceded five goals which originated from set-pieces this season. Morsy's deflected equaliser was the fourth in consecutive games.

Flynn Downes was Saints captain against Ipswich (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) Defending set-pieces was a strong point for Saints last season. Asked what has changed, Downes said: "Honestly, I couldn't tell you. Sometimes these things just happen. 

"Luck ain't going your way. But I thought the first 10 minutes we were having a bit of a sticky spell, set piece after set piece and we defended so well. So it is what it is.

"There's so many positives to take and we'll watch it back on Monday. We've got to move on from the disappointment.

"In previous games, we've suffered a little bit when momentum's not with us, conceded too many goals.

"But against Ipswich, momentum wasn't with us and we stayed together, defended really well and played ourselves into the game really."