RADHI Jaidi was left rueing multiple errors from his Under-23s, as they limped to a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.

Saints were left with a mountain to climb on their home turf, after conceding all three goals inside 30 minutes.

Callum Slattery, who made his debut for the first team last season, slotted home a second-half penalty to reduce the deficit.

Speaking about his side’s performance to the official Southampton FC website, Jaidi said: "Not good enough.

"We gave away the game in the first half. It was a poor start with a lot of individual mistakes.

"Collective mistakes as well. This is a bit strange for some of the boys.

"The second half was slightly better, as a group.

“In this competition, you have to compete, you have to work hard, you have to show the will and desire. We didn't do that.

"We need to talk seriously about it. We need to show a bit of character against these types of teams.”

Blackburn’s Daniel Butterworth got the away side off to the perfect start, with his goal coming in the first 15 seconds of the match.

Jack Vale then added to Saints’ misery, before Butterworth was on hand to complete his brace.

After being taught a physical lesson by Rovers, Jaidi encouraged his players to improve that element of their own game.

He added: "We have some young boys in this team, and they've been doing ok - with the ball. But football isn't just about possession. 

"Teams come here to challenge, to tackle, to head it and you've got to stand up to that. The ugly side of the game, you have to do it. 

"Leicester is an opportunity for us to put this behind us and move forward."