EVERY word Saints manager Ivan Juric said after his side nearly staged an incredible comeback but fell to a 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest.


Why did the two halves of the match look so different?

IJ: I think this team, when we play without intensity, we are really bad. We didn't have intensity or energy. The first two goals were really bad.

We were really disappointed after a big match against Manchester United that we played the first half at this level.

We had a free throw and then in construction a free pass to Yuki (Sugawara). With the guys who came in in the second half, we had much more energy.

We changed, we scored two goals, we attacked. We had to score one more and it was the team that I wanted to watch.


Did your lack of recovery time play a part in the dropped energy?

IJ: Maybe. Maybe we are not ready to play two games in 60 hours on a high level. Maybe. But then again, in the second half we pushed a lot. 

I had fear for Kamaldeen Sulemana to start from the beginning, and Lesley Ugochukwu, and they gave us lots of energy when they came on.


Would you have started Kamaldeen and Ugochukwu if you could?

IJ: No, because Sulemana hasn't played for two years 90 minutes, and he had lots of injuries and we had to be careful about him. 

I wanted to give the minutes to Flynn (Downes) to come back because I think he's a good player but he didn't do well today.

And Lesley, again, the young players were the players I liked, with energy, strength, and know-how to play, how to fight, and everything.


Why do you think Downes is struggling this season?

IJ: I think it's a big difference. Even when I saw against Swansea, there were two levels. Championship and Premier League. 

If you're good in the Championship, it doesn't mean you're good in the Premier League. But I think Flynn is good, he can play in the Premier League really good. 

He did it against West Ham, against Fulham, he was really good. Now, after the injury, he's maybe a little bit down, but I have to recover him and he will be good.


Has a first goal for Paul Onuachu felt like a long time coming?

IJ: When I have players I like, they have some quality, and he has this. He's tough, a fighter, tall, with the head he's very good and he will give everything he can. 

I think he will be very good for us. I'm very happy for him that he scored today.


Are Ben Brereton Diaz and Maxwel Cornet close to an exit? 

IJ: I think we have other players that I think they will leave and I hope that we can bring the players that are competitive for the Premier League.


Ola Aina with a big clearance, what are your memories from Torino?

IJ: It's like a son for me because we have a really good relationship at Torino and we worked hard. He's a great guy. 

Today he saved the goal and he did a really good game. He's an incredible player and a player for the Premier League, fast, with energy.


Do certain bits of the last week give you optimism for the future?

IJ: I think for the first time against Manchester United, I feel that it's my team. I won't play like this, I want to play like we did in the 80 minutes in Manchester. 

In the last 30 minutes today, 40 minutes today, I saw what I wanted to see. When we are like this, we are competitive. If we are a little bit down, we are not.


What is the situation with Adam Lallana as he was not in the squad?

IJ: I have to make choices and if I put Will Smallbone and then Flynn Downes inside then there's no place for him.


Is the returning Ryan Fraser an option again for you?

IJ: I think that Fraser is a really good player. He worked hard. He plays in the same position as Sulemana, like Armstrong. That's what penalised him.


What did you make of Nottingham Forest after facing them?

IJ: My assessment is that they are great in some things. They played 10 minutes doing nothing.  First free throw, they score.

Then we play again and have chances with the cross and Fernandes. They score again from 25 metres. They are competitive, these are my words.

They know how to compete. They defend even low and then they have moments with very good players, with exceptional players that they win the match.


How big of a miss will Tyler Dibling be for you this month?

IJ: Dibling will be out for a long time with an ankle injury. Now we will see after seven days if it's four weeks or even more. 

We have to do another exam for a few days and then we will know. I think with Dibling and Sulemana, we have lots of quality in attack.