Former Saints coach Ruben Selles couldn't have had a worse debut game than yesterday's. Yet, he isn't hiding from the criticisms in the wake of a dominated evening.
Southampton were one of the nine Championship teams to round off the three points on the first weekend. The rest had some flawed and learning filled evenings, but Sheffield United were outclassed in a fashion that can have Matt Le Tissier's opinions on the line.
A broad majority of Southampton's fanbase were still drowned in ecstatic chants and claps when hours later, the Championship got to see a drastically different Sheffield United.
They had shown more resilience in the final than Leeds United from the May prior, but they are stranded rock bottom, let alone emulate Leeds in the follow up adventure.
Thus, August isn't a practical timespan for them to mark their ascend to the top six but their coach is former Saints tactician Ruben Selles and he isn't hiding behind this paltry situation.
Talking to Sheffield United's official website, Selles said: "It is my responsibility to make us more structured in those moments, if we'd have scored a second and third it would be my responsibility also, so it is down to me to make the team realise these are key moments and we can't be left open."
Southampton's Selles test may become easier by the time it comes
As per Opta's Analyst, Selles was bound for a rougher road than Southampton and it's falling in line with it. The ex-Saint has to lock horns with Birmingham City, Ipswich Town and even his fellow senior at St. Mary's Nathan Jones, all within this month and the succeeding one.
Come out without spilling points and then, Southampton will be relishing a one-win but double victory chance on league standings.
If this leads to a sackable environment, then Danny Rohl might be requested to cross the Sheffield divide. One, which neither Selles nor the Blades and Saints legend Matt Le Tissier will want.