Southampton manager Alan Pardew admitted his side's punishing pre-season training schedule caught up with them after they crashed to a 4-2 defeat by FC Thun. Saints fell four goals behind against the Swiss top-flight outfit before Dean Hammond and Jose Fonte gave the scoreline some respectability. "We have worked really hard over the past few days, perhaps too hard to play a team of that quality," said Pardew. "We looked tired, physically and mentally. That's fine though, it's still pre-season. If we came here in a few weeks and played them again I fancy we'd give them more of a game." Midfielder Adam Lallana missed sat out after having an injection in his knee. "We are protecting him a little bit to make sure he is in the best possible shape for us come the start of the season," added Pardew.
Source: PA
Source: PA