Southampton assistant coach Jesus Perez has defended manager Mauricio Pochettino's team selection following the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the League Cup.
The Argentine made 10 changes for the trip to the Stadium of Light, but his deputy was quick to stress the importance of giving youngsters their chance.
"We are a little bit disappointed to be out of the cup because it was an important competition for us to provide minutes for our squad and for our youngsters who, as you know, we like to use," Sky Sports News quotes Perez as saying.
"We have a squad and we need to use all the players and give minutes in this type of game because the season is so long. In the next couple of months, we have a very tough period of games and we need everyone in the best form because sure, it will be important for the rest of the season.
"We are a little bit disappointed to lose important games like the game today, but this is football and we have to look forward. We have to say well done to Sunderland. They tried to win the game and they deserve, obviously, to be still in this competition."
Goals from Phil Bardsley and Sebastien Larsson were enough to fire the Black Cats into the next round, with Maya Yoshida netting a consolation for the Saints.
Mark Langshaw
