Daily Mirror

GIVE ME 100%

Furious boss Pellegrino blasts a demand to his Saints slackers

- BY ALEX CROOK

SOUTHAMPTO­N boss Mauricio Pellegrino yesterday launched a blistering attack on his players, accusing them of lacking commitment against Leicester.

The Argentinia­n coach was forced to apologise to furious fans after his team slumped to a humiliatin­g 4-1 home defeat to sacked former boss Claude Puel’s Foxes on Wednesday.

An angry Pellegrino said: “It was a bad game from the beginning.

“I feel like there was a lack of connection in different moments.

“We were not connecting 100 per cent on the game.

“When you see all the goals we conceded, we don’t usually make these type of mistakes.

“Lack of connection is when you are not mentally 100 per cent on the pitch.

“The mood and the feeling before the game and the preparatio­n was right. When you are not mentally ready it’s difficult to be physically ready on the pitch.

“In difficult moments you have to come back to the foundation of the team, the discipline of the team and think about the possibilit­y they have to be in this club and to be in the Premier League.

“Not many players are in this situation.

“We have to start to choose the players that want to help the club 100 per cent.

“Their behaviour has to be committed to the club 100 per cent.

“There are not too many times I have to say sorry to my fans because when you do everything and you lose I know I have tried my best.”

Pellegrino also revealed he has let his players know how he felt about the turgid display – and that he expects a response at Chelsea tomorrow.

The former Liverpool defender added: “I was talking with the players. In football a bad result is part of our life.

“My players are intelligen­t and know it was a really bad game and they have to be humble in this moment.

“They are human beings that play football. They are not machines and sometimes they do not have a good night.

“My players know exactly what we need to be a better team and to bounce back.

“The good thing when you play badly is you have another game quickly.

“We want to play this game as quickly as possible.

“I have to try and find solutions, to inspire my players and be stronger in difficult moments.

“My job is to try to achieve good results and play good football.”

 ??  ?? BAD FEELING Pellegrino feared for his men against Leicester City (left) right from the start
BAD FEELING Pellegrino feared for his men against Leicester City (left) right from the start

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom