IN a pre-match media conference two weeks ago, Saints boss Ivan Juric made the surprisingly honest claim that he has about 18 competitive players.

At the time, the Croatian was explaining why he was not set to rotate for the FA Cup third round clash with Championship Swansea City, which his side won 3-0.

Those comments came in the wake of the distressing 5-0 hammering at home to Brentford and have preceded a further two Premier League defeats.

Saints started brilliantly and collapsed dramatically at Manchester United on Thursday before performing almost exactly in reverse at Nottingham Forest.

Juric's charges worsened significantly after substitutions were made at Old Trafford and improved drastically when rotated stars were recalled at City Ground.

It has probably made the former AS Roma and Torino man wonder about the accuracy of his '18 competitive players' comment - was it too generous still?

It seems that Juric does not have enough depth of quality to maintain Southampton's top level either rotating from the start or making changes late on.

Juric made three changes to his starting XI that impressed at Man United for Sunday's visit to the East Midlands, although one really was enforced.

Tyler Dibling, 18 years old but Southampton's best player, has been ruled out for between four to six weeks with an ankle injury sustained on Thursday.

Mateus Fernandes remains a consistent performerMateus Fernandes remains a consistent performer (Image: PA)

Lesley Ugochukwu and Kamaldeen Sulemana dropped to the bench with fatigue, as Flynn Downes, Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong came in.

Archer and Armstrong did not manage a shot between them and had a combined total of seven touches in the Forest penalty box all afternoon.

Downes, meanwhile, was largely ineffective, extremely lucky to avoid a straight red card and was described as "not doing very well" by Juric after the match.

The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time at 3-0 down and all three mentioned players had been taken off before the hour mark with no response recorded.

Kamaldeen, Ugochukwu and Paul Onuachu - who scored his first goal for the club since signing nearly two years ago - changed the dynamic of the match.

Saints had three shots and zero on target in the first 60 minutes of the game and five shots - all recorded as on target - for the final 30 after the substitutions.

Their cross-success rate went from 33 per cent to 43 per cent and the tempo finally looked and felt like that of a team in as dire a situation as Saints are in.

It was Ugochukwu's shot that deflected off Jan Bednarek to pull a goal back in the 60th minute and Onuachu's header at the start of 12 minutes added on.

Kamaldeen added energy - although he lacks end-product, he has already somewhat proven himself with his performance against Man United.

Meanwhile, Downes and Armstrong were among the culprits who failed to make any impression in the North West as Amad Diallo's treble ripped the game away.

They might have been two player of the season candidates in the Championship last season but it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify their inclusion.

When they are fit and available, the formerly outcast trio of Kamaldeen, Ugochukwu and Onuachu must be among the first names on Juric's team sheet.

It is the biggest indication of a shift in style and substance since the sacking of former boss Russell Martin that we are looking to those three as saviours. 

Paul Onuachu climbs highest to score his first Saints goalPaul Onuachu climbs highest to score his first Saints goal (Image: PA)

Aaron Ramsdale, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Kyle Walker-Peters, Joe Aribo and Mateus Fernandes are not perfect but also deserving of their starts.

There are still some question marks over the other two defenders, with Yukinari Sugawara and James Bree having been chosen for the last two on the right.

It was Bree's pass which put Bednarek in hot water for Forest's second goal, while Sugawara has never looked completely comfortable defending.

The bench is limited in quality alternatives but ready for a chance in their place are Nathan Wood and Ryan Manning - but that chance might not come yet. 

Downes, Archer and Armstrong, however, will certainly have to concede their minutes to the fresher, more lively trio of Ugochukwu, Kamaldeen and Onuachu.

Whatever Juric does, it is unlikely to make a difference to the Premier League status of Southampton - 10 points adrift of safety - come the end of May.

It is also possible that none of Ugochukwu, Kamaldeen or Onuachu will be at the club come August - so their selection is hardly building for the future.

But Saints continue to be well-supported and there is a responsibility to deliver dignified performances in return for the remainder of the season.

They have 16 matches to double their current points and beat 2007/08 Derby County's record-low tally of 11, which might be the peak of realistic ambition.