Simon Rusk has no regrets over his Saints team selection at Goodison Park. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)
Simon Rusk has no regrets over his Saints team selection at Goodison Park. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)
INTERIM boss Simon Rusk insisted he has "no regrets" over his team selection in Southampton's 2-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday.
Saints started without a recognised striker for a second successive game but did not have a shot until introducing two strikers on 60 minutes.
Substitutes Ross Stewart and Cameron Archer were introduced on the hour mark, and the former fired an effort moments after coming on.
Archer was denied his first goal of 2025 by a brilliant Jordan Pickford save, as Saints went on to register six efforts in the final half an hour.
Hosts Everton, already two goals ahead, did not have another shot after the 61st minute, signalling a shift in momentum at Goodison Park.
"Everyone knows it's been a really difficult year for the players and the club, so in the first half we struggled to get going," Rusk said.
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite (left) and Southampton's Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite (left) and Southampton's Kamaldeen Sulemana.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA) READ: Saints beaten by Everton in final competitive match at Goodison Park
"We knew it was going to be an intense atmosphere, and the first goal is probably the worst thing you want as a team bottom of the league after a difficult year.
"The second half was really encouraging, so I thought the players dug in there in the second half, and there were some amazing things about the performance
"It was easy in hindsight, isn't it? It's the same team in many respects, apart from two changes (who played against Manchester City)."
He continued: "We're missing Kyle Walker-Peters, we're missing Jan Bednarak from injury yesterday, we're a team bottom of the league, away from home in a tough game.
"Hindsight is very easy in these situations, isn't it? Everton aren't going to show any sympathy for us, are they? If we change shape, we've got to go with what we think is right.
Southampton conceded two goals on their final visit to Goodison Park.
Southampton conceded two goals on their final visit to Goodison Park.
(Image: PA) READ: Rusk suggests there is more to Walker-Peters and Bednarek absences than fitness
"Large parts of the six games have been right. So, yeah, no regrets. Of course, you learn as you go. We've got one more game.
"I think some of the guys that came onto the pitch gave a really good account of themselves. It was really pleasing for young Jay Robinson to come on and be bright again.
"Another debut with Joachim Kayi Sanda for the club. We're bouncing into next year. I don't think anyone expected much different with the seven games, apart from making sure we're set up to be solid, hard to beat, as organised as we can be, and we have picked up some points."