Davis - 8 MOTM: Kelvin literally kept us in it with a string of athletic saves as the defence fell to pieces in front of him. Had no chance with the penalty diving the wrong way as the ball was powered down the middle.
James - 5: Still a fair way short of a full back on today's performance. Hammill gave him a torrid time and only his wasteful delivery stopped Saints getting punished more often. Did make some meaty challenges, but contributed to the naive defending around him. No real impact going forward negated the impact of having an attacking full back.
Svensson - 5: Not at his wonderful best, but gave his all at times looking like the only Saints player in the box on Blackpool's set pieces. Struggled to cope with Blackpool's pace up front and may need a quick, tall defender alongside him to get the best out of his game.
Perry - 5: Characteristically brave performance from Perry who made some vital tackles inside the box in the sweeper role. However, like Svensson he struggled against Blackpool's muscular front line, but he wasn't helped by being given the task of marking the far taller Burgess.
Surman - 6: Solid performance from Drew who showed some real quality on the ball, but was hampered by the left back role robbing Saints of his delivery into the box. Has to take his share of the blame for Saints' poor defending.
Schneiderlin - 5: Strangely anonymous afternoon from the talented French youngster who failed to impose himself on the game or protect the back four. Showed good passing range in the first half with some lovely cross field balls, but faded badly in the second.
Gillett - 6: Typically spiky performance from Gillett who constantly wanted the ball and tried to get Saints' passing game going with numerous short passes to feet. Like his central midfield partner he failed to protect the back four as Blackpool opened up Saints on the counter time after time. Mixed delivery from set pieces wasted some promising positions, but stung the hands of Blackpool keeper with a piledriver from 25 yards.
White - 4: Poor afternoon for the youngster who showed glimpses of his raw talent, but failed to get into the game, unfortunately conceding the penalty that won it for Blackpool. Substituted at half time, it may be a little too early for him to be starting in the first team.
Lallana - 8: A bright spark at the heart of Saints' best attacking moves, Lallana was a bundle of energy constantly probing the Blackpool defence and a threat with the ball at his feet. Only lack of confidence in front of goal kept him off the scoresheet when weak shots saw an amazing three shots cleared off the line!
Holmes - 7: Provided excellent width in the first half stretching the Blackpool defence with his pace and positioning. However, he faded in the second due to lack of service and could have done better with his delivery wasting some promising positions with mixed crosses and some optimistic shooting.
McGoldrick - 8: A much improved player over last season, he worked hard for the team despite being often isolated up front. Showed power and pace to muscle his way into shooting positions and would have scored but for an excellent save and the crossbar late on.
Substitutes
Dyer - 5: Despite a promising opening where he looked lively down the right, he soon fell into old habits of conceding possession through poor delivery and first touch. Kept drifting inside when Saints needed width down the right hand side. Attacking right is looking a problem position for Saints.
John - 6: Stern showed his knack of getting on the end of chances, but also his erratic shooting missing Saints best chance with a free header on the edge of the six yard box. Needed better delivery with several crosses too deep for him to get any meaningful connection.
Wotton - 5: Failed to make any real impact with Saints struggling to get their passing game going. Wasn't helped by Poortvliet changing both central midfielders at the same time leaving him overrun in central midfield with the more attacking Lallana alongside him.