Gordon Strachan seems to feel that Saints could have got something from yesterday's game, but that the Everton substitutions tilted the game too much towards the home side and Saints couldn't counter it with their own changes.
While some may think that to lose the game in the last seconds was unfortunate, anyone who saw the game knew it was on the cards. "I don't think it was unlucky, may a bit unprofessional," said Strachan.
"They had two against our four at the end and their two won. Maybe they were more determined to score than we were to stop it.
"But it was certainly hard to take - but we will take it and we will bounce back.
"The first half was a poor game but we played some decent football going forward but we need to analyse the second half and see whether their substitutes made more difference than ours.
"I don't mean as individuals but the pattern of the play. Kevin Campbell unsettled us and changed the game.
"We did not plan to sit back but they forced it upon us. They changed things round and played three forwards and bypassed the midfield to get the ball forward as fast as possible.
"It was sensible football. If you cannot get through one way then you change it.
"I have to go away and analyse it and decide if their substitutes made more difference than ours. I don't know the answer to that."
"I have five hours going home now to think about it, it won't be pleasant."
Saints were hanging on well before the substitutions though. I'd have to say that our defence did nearly everything that was asked of them. It's unfair to blame them for conceding a goal when the midfield were providing no outlet for the ball to get forward. Lundekvam and Niemi were superb, Higginbotham and Telfer solid and Svensson had a reasonable game, although his concentration seemed to go astray the longer the game went on.
Ahead of them, only Oakley and Beattie can come out with any real credit. Beattie took his few chances well, but was very isolated for much of the game. His midfield's insistence at hitting up long balls to him constantly really annoys the hell out of me and says volumes about their skill.
Oakley defended well in the first half and did all the things you would expect of a quality holding player. As the game wore on though, he was to be found further and further back and stopped being able to provide any support going forward.
Anders Svensson being in anything other than an attacking role behind the strikers is a waste of time. Saints midfield were overrun and Anders isn't the kind of player who can stop this. Telling Anders to drop back because it's an away game just takes him out of the game.
Saints lacked any width yesterday. While Prutton looks skilful enough, he has a lot of Chris Marsden tapes to watch to see how the role should be played.
On the right, Fernandes is a joke on that flank. He's a good player and his crosses for Beattie's chances were good. However, he must be shown how to get the ball to the byeline. If that means taking players on then great, as Telfer will provide the necessary back up.
If he can't of that, then he's going to find himself substituted more and more often. Everyone now knows he will always cut inside. Everyone. He's completely ineffective avoiding doing his job and his passing when he does cut in is pretty poor. Fabrice needs more variety to his game.
Until Pahars is back to his best, perhaps having Anders Svensson would be the best partner for Beattie, to sit behind him. Of course, it means that the rest of the team will have to >gasp< pass the ball to feet, but they should all be able to manage it. The alternative is to have either Jo Tessem or Brett Ormerod there. Ormerod couldn't buy a goal right now and need a few good reserve games to build his confidence back up. Jo Tessem won't score no matter what he does and has no place up front.