Ralph Hasenhuttl had his first match as Saints boss ruined when they were toppled by Neil Warnock's Cardiff.

Callum Paterson latched onto a Jannik Vestergaard mistake to slot his effort past Alex McCarthy in goal.

Here are five things we learned from the 1-0 defeat:

1. Hasenhuttl will now be aware of the challange he has taken on

Daily Echo:

Ralph Hasenhuttl

In the build-up to the Cardiff match, Saints’ new manager was in a buoyant mood and stated how he was ready to embrace the challenge.

And after another silly defensive error at the back, the Austrian will now know just how difficult it will be to turn his side’s fortunes around.

He will at least have the benefit of a full week’s training with Saints ahead of the Arsenal game next weekend which he can only view as a positive.

2. Cedric was missed at right-back

Daily Echo:

Yan Valery

Cedric hasn’t been under any real pressure in his position but found himself out of the team yesterday due to a slight calf injury.

However, when Yan Valery burst into the squad, it looked for all intents and purposes that he could rival the Portuguese international.

But after his display at Cardiff, where he was taken off at half time, it was evidence that the 19-year-old still has a lot to learn.

3. Mario Lemina is beginning to stand out as Saints’ best player

Daily Echo:

Mario Lemina

Lemina was head and shoulders above anyone else in a Saints shirt during the 1-0 loss in Wales.

The midfielder drove forward with the ball on a number of occasions, but also did his best to halt Cardiff’s attacks.

4. They need to get Danny Ings back in the team as quickly as possible

Daily Echo:

Danny Ings

Ings has been absent from the side since injuring his hamstring in the 1-1 draw with Watford last month.

The plan was to have him back for yesterday’s match, but the striker didn’t travel with the team as he still tries to get over his setback.

Although Charlie Austin scored against Tottenham, he can’t offer what Ings can up front.

And given Hasenhuttl gets his squad to press high up the pitch, the Liverpool loanee will be used to that from his time working under Jurgen Klopp.

5. Saints’ defensive line-up is too inconsistent

Daily Echo:

Jannik Vestergaard

Jannik Vestergaard made a calamitous error at the back to allow Callum Paterson to break free and score.

But given he has been in and out of the squad so often, it makes his job even harder. He was partnered with Jan Bednarek, who was making his first appearance since the home defeat to Chelsea.

Hasenhuttl will need to make his mind up fairly quickly about who will be his two central-defenders because it’s clear to see chopping and changing the defence every week doesn’t aid anybody.