SAINTS gave manager Russell Martin plenty of questions to ponder as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Championship Oxford United at Kassam Stadium.

It was the first loss of their pre-season schedule after three consecutive wins to begin the summer at Eastleigh and on tour in Spain.

Martin's side have three more friendly matches to play before the Premier League gets underway, including Millwall away up next on Saturday.

There is plenty of time to work on a few things before the real stuff. Here are our Saints player ratings from Oxford United... 

Starters

Alex McCarthy - 4.

Footwork a major concern, gifted Oxford a couple of open goals but largely went unpunished. Made one decent save and persevered despite the limited options in front of him.

James Bree - 6.

Good link-up with Amo-Ameyaw down the right in what were Southampton's most promising moments. Did nothing wrong and was the most reliable man at the back. 

Ronnie Edwards - 5.

At fault for the second goal with a sloppy pass intercepted and turned into the back of the net. Did not see too much in terms of expansive passing either. Not his best night.

Nathan Wood - 5. 

Loose in possession a couple of times - sometimes did well under severe pressure. Strong holding opposition off the ball but unable to stop the first goal. Can improve.

Charlie Taylor - 5.

An impressive early long ball forward - as we have become accustomed to. Otherwise, a slow evening and was unable to stop the first goal down his side. 

Ryan Manning - 6.

Starting position that of a midfield number six - was always brave showing for the ball. Nearly set up Alcaraz expertly with a long ball but also had two wayward crosses fly out of play. 

Shea Charles - 5. 

Manning was moved into the six so we could see Charles play further forward but he didn't really offer anything. Not disastrous by any means but no reason to score higher. 

Charly Alcaraz - 6. 

Looked lively in flashes and fired an effort just wide of the post. A couple of good runs behind. Wasn't really in the game the whole time but did enough in just 45 minutes for a six. 

Sam Amo-Ameyaw - 7.

Credited by Martin as the best of the bunch. Lively throughout but hit a chance straight at the keeper and had another saved from inside the box. Good ideas for finding his teammates. 

Kamaldeen Sulemana - 6.

Worked hard, tried to beat his man and when he couldn't he kept possession. Came off injured after just over half an hour, which is a blow for the club and him this summer. 

Sekou Mara - N/A. 

Impossible to rate as he came off after just 22 minutes but did not set the world alight in the time he was on the pitch. Feel sorry for him as this was a key time with limited strikers.

Saints suffered their first defeat of pre-seasonSaints suffered their first defeat of pre-season (Image: PA)

Substitutes 

Tyler Dibling - 6.

Was brave in showing for the ball. His best moment was taking the ball from McCarthy under pressure on the turn, running and only being stopped by a foul. Needed positional coaching.

Sam Edozie - 6. 

Second best of all the substitutes after he came on early in place of Kamaldeen. Had a cross nearly turned in for an own goal and looked threatening but missed all his chances. 

Adam Armstrong - 6. 

Came on with intent at half-time and demanded the ball all over, dropping into spaces to find it. Failed to take his biggest chance, attempting to loft the keeper.

Yukinari Sugawara - 6.

Solid if not spectacular in 30 minutes. Lovely nutmeg to impress around the 81st minute. Dangerous crossing. Continues to leave fans feeling confident he can step up.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 7. 

Kept it tight at the back after coming on and was involved in some of the play going forward, including Armstrong's big chance towards the end of the game.

Jan Bednarek - 6.

Added to his 45 minutes of pre-season after returning late due to EURO 2024 with another half-an-hour. Solid but not too heavily involved. 

Jack Stephens - 6.

Started at left-back and stepped into midfield with some good touches, as we had seen at times last season. Nothing to complain about. 

Flynn Downes - 6.

Added energy to the midfield and was a big part of the reason that Saints dominated possession after he came on. Good tracking and tackle for the last Oxford attack of the game.

Will Smallbone - 6. 

Helped Saints to keep hold of the ball and was involved in some of the link-up. Won a corner or two but nothing too special to note.

Joe Aribo - 7. 

Liveliest of the substitutes and made a real difference - despite not finding the net. Shot narrowly wide with some of his first touches and then set up Edozie and Armstrong for chances.