Russell Martin is a frustrated man after two defeats on the bounce in their first season back in the Premier League as they are yet to pick up one point.
The Saints travelled to Newcastle on the opening day and felt hard done by as they lost 1-0 against 10-men.
After narrowly missing out on getting any points at St James' Park, their next game was at home to Nottingham Forest. However, Martin's men did not put in the performance they needed and came away with another 0-1 loss.
Although the Saints lost, the performance wasn't as bad as Martin first feared.
During his press conference ahead of Cardiff, he said: "I was critical of our first half performance but, after watching it back, it wasn't as bad as I thought.
"We have shown we will attack the league in our own way but I am frustrated we haven't got a point yet. We need to kick on now."
-
"They have an opportunity to put themselves in a Premier League team"
Looking forward to tomorrow's cup game against Cardiff, this tie will help old players, as well as new arrivals too, make a name for themselves in a Premier League lineup.
Martin has only had two Premier League games himself, so he will still be trying to perfect his XI, and a cup game means he can find those players who deserve to wear the shirt.
"People are going to get on the pitch tomorrow and have an opportunity to put themselves in a team for the Premier League Saturday," the Saints boss said.
"It's really that simple. It gives opportunities for people to play, for us to learn, and try new things.
"We're choosing to make a lot of changes, but not out of lack of respect for the competition, out of we need to get everyone prepared and ready."
Martin in his press conference has already given away two new signings who will be playing tomorrow, Mateus Fernandes and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Fernandes featured in the 0-1 loss to Nottingham Forest and looked like a bright spark, while the Saints have yet to see Ugochukwu in a red and white shirt.
Summer signing Adam Lallana will be back in the squad tomorrow after picking up a knock in pre-season.
-
"I think we've done good business on the whole"
The Saints have got in 11 new players already this summer, but they are still looking for a goalkeeper and some more attacking options.
Justin Bijlow, a keeper from Feyenoord, reportedly underwent medical tests yesterday but, following a post on his instagram, has just confirmed the deal is off after complications with his results.
The Saints boss also believes that Kyle Walker-Peters staying is a massive bonus, he said: "I think he is going to be here.
"All the interest that was there and the deals that might have happened have pretty much gone.
"It is a bonus having him here when I think we had all sort of resigned ourselves to him leaving the building."
James Ward-Prowse, who left last summer has also been linked with a move back to Southampton but Martin has put a stop to these rumours.
"He is one of the many players who could do a job for us but we aren't looking to recruit in his position and I don't know where that has come from.
"I am sure there will be a lot of people interested in his services."
The transfer window shuts on Friday and Martin believes he and the club have done solid business.
He said: "I think we've done good business on the whole, not just for now, but for the short and long-term future of the club.
"We've made signings for now and signings that are going to be really good players for the club over a long period of time, in my opinion."
