SAINTS manager Ivan Juric admitted Mateus Fernandes could have played on against Wolves as he explained his eyebrow-raising substitution.

The midfielder was withdrawn during the half-time break, with Saints trailing 1-0 in a Premier League match that went on to finish 2-1 at St Mary's.

Paul Onuachu replaced Fernandes and scored to pull one back with 15 minutes left, but Jorgen Strand Larsen's earlier double was worth three points. 

Juric was vocally criticised by the Saints fans, who sang 'You don't know what you're doing,' for withdrawing Fernandes - and other decisions. 

But when asked if Fernandes is injured, Juric said: "No, no. He's good. Like I always say, I think he's a 20 year old boy. He plays a lot. He's really good.

"I think he will be a great player, and this is the moment that I expected today a little bit more of him, but it's normal for a guy who is 20 years old."

Asked to clarify if the Portuguese could have played on, Juric added: "Yeah, physically, he could play. Paul Onuachu came in, and he scored."

Surprisingly, Juric opted to deploy a five-at-the-back formation against Wolves, who sit 17th in the table and were without star man Matheus Cunha. 

The decision came despite Saints impressing in the first half at Liverpool last weekend, leading the league leaders 1-0 at the break in a 4-4-2.

Explaining his tactical choice, Juric said: "I think it depends, it depends on who you are playing, and it depends on the game. 

"I think that tactically we cannot speak a lot because we start really well and create lots of chances. I think they are missing other things."