Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has launched a blistering attack on his players, accusing them of lacking commitment against Leicester.
The Argentinian was forced to apologise to furious fans after his team slumped to a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to sacked former boss Claude Puel’s Foxes on Wednesday.
An angry Pellegrino said: “It was a bad game from the beginning.
“I feel like there was a lack of connection in different moments. We were not connecting 100 per cent on the game. When you see all the goals we conceded, we don’t usually make these type of mistakes. Lack of connection is when you are not mentally 100 per cent on the pitch.
“The mood and the feeling before the game and the preparation was right. When you are not mentally ready, it’s difficult to be physically ready on the pitch.
“In difficult moments you have to come back to the foundation of the team, the discipline of the team and think about the possibility they have to be in this club and to be in the Premier League.
“Not many players are [lucky enough to be] in this situation.
“We have to start to choose the players that want to help the club, 100 per cent. Their behaviour has to be committed to the club, 100 per cent.
“There are not too many times I have to say sorry to my fans, because when you do everything and you lose I know I have tried my best.”
Summer appointment Pellegrino, who has just one win in eight matches, also revealed he has let his players know how he felt about the turgid display — and that he expects a response at champions Chelsea on Saturday.
The former Liverpool defender added: “I was talking with the players. In football, a bad result is part of our life.
“My players are intelligent and know it was a really bad game and they have to be humble in this moment.
“They are human beings that play football. They are not machines and sometimes they do not have a good night. My players know exactly what we need to be a better team and to bounce back.
“The good thing when you play badly is you have another game quickly — we want to play this game as quickly as possible.
I have to try and find solutions, to inspire my players and be stronger in difficult moments. My job is to try to achieve good results and play good football.”