SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) – Southampton’s players should be angry that they threw away two points in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Ipswich Town having failed to kill off the contest when they had the chances, manager Russell Martin said.
Southampton led through an early goal from 18-year-old Tyler Dibling but then spurned several opportunities to increase their lead, before Sam Morsy equalised with virtually the last kick of the game for the visitors.
“We have to win the game today. Their only threats were coming from set pieces,” Martin told Premier League Productions. “We had chances to kill off the game in the second half and when you leave it at 1-0, it is a problem.
“We have to be angry with ourselves. The detail with our defending was not right and it has cost us a goal.”
Southampton at least ended a run of four defeats at the start of the campaign to earn their first point of the season.
“The frustration and the disappointment overrides everything,” Martin said. “We’re off the mark but we have to use this as a springboard as there was so much good about the performance.
“We are a team that has given everything but we have to be more ruthless in both boxes. It’s a big progress in our four or five games but just allow me to be annoyed.”
In contrast, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was elated by his side’s rescue act, though they too remain winless and missed several chances to take all three points themselves.
“It’s (Morsy’s goal) a great moment for us, we have built and developed into a team that always has belief, never gives up and can score late goals,” McKenna said.
“To have that experience today and to get a late equaliser in the manner we did, close to the away fans is a fantastic moment for our fans and group to go through.
“I thought it was a pretty hard-fought game. It’s steps in the right direction. We need that first win but we’ve had two tough away games and it is three matches in a row where we have got something out of them.”
(Reporting by Nick Said; editing by Clare Fallon)
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