Saints lost the first game of their Swiss Training jaunt 4-2 to Swiss side FC Thun on Tuesday night.
It was all over by half time with the hosts racking up three goals before the break, although in fairness to Saints they had opted to put out a side of two halves and mix and match a bit with the first half XI only containing four or five who could be considered genuine first choice players in a 4-5-1 formation.
In the second lalf it was a change round for Saints with perhaps the key being that the midfield especially the centre looked more solid with both Hammond and Schneiderlin anchoring the centre in a more traditional 4-4-2.
But intially this didnt fare any better than the first half formation and Thun made it four when one of their players picked up a loose ball in midfield and lobbed change keeper Tommy Forecast from 30 yards to start those watching wonder if they were about to see a rout.
But Saints regrouped and got their game together, David Connolly having a goal disallowed with around 20 mins left but the arrears on 81 mins through Dean Hammond and then again on 86 wehn Jose Fonte headed home, but it was two little two late.
However nothing too much should be read into the game, here was a Saints side who were playing their first game and indeed it was mix and match with players being constantly switched, as any losing pre season manager will tell you, its all about getting a feel for the ball and taking a look at whats needed to be done.