Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has blamed turnover in his side's backline for their poor defensive record at the start of their Premier League campaign.
The Saints sold Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin over the course of the summer and Toby Alderweireld did not return for a second spell at the club following his successful loan move last season.
Koeman's fortunes have been further blighted by injuries to Ryan Bertrand and keeper Fraser Forster, leading them to concede two goals in their draw against Newcastle and three in their defeat to Everton at St Mary's Stadium.
He told reporters: "Expectation was different last season than for this season. I knew already maybe there was a problem because, if you talk about the defensive strengths of the Southampton team we had last season and a big part of keeping clean sheets, you are taking about certain positions - goalkeeper, four defenders and two controlling midfield players.
"Some asked me about Schneiderlin - he was just one of five different players [missing] in those positions last Saturday. It's normal that you will lose something - the new players need time in that position, the team needs time to develop and have the same strengths as last season.
"If you're missing five of the seven, that is one of the reasons we have already got five goals against us in two Premier League games."
Southampton face FC Midtjylland in their Europa League clash tomorrow.
Simon Sinclair
