Southampton talisman James Ward-Prowse blames the players after they slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

The Saints were not at their best against the Albion, losing on their return to league action after the World Cup.

Despite the setback, Ward-Prowse believes the issue was not new manager Nathan Jones, but the way the players implemented his instructions.

“Of course we're disappointed. We saw the first game back after the restart as a good opportunity to give everyone something to be excited about," Ward-Prowse told club media.

“We failed to implement the manager's messages today, and that is very disappointing. We were very much in between today, we didn't get to grips with the game or control it and then two easy goals take the game away from us.

“That's the level of the Premier League, you give them half chances or easy opportunities and they will take them, but we were too inbetween," he added.

“They're a good footballing side but we failed to be solid and that is the most disappointing thing from today."