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Ronald Koeman: The important lesson my Southampton squad learnt last season

Ryan Bertrand came on shortly after half time for his first appearance of the season following knee surgery and Koeman was delighted to welcome the England defender back to his squad.

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Rodriguez made his belated return in last month’s Europa League win at Vitesse Arnhem and took his goal tally for the season to three with a brace in Wednesday’s 6-0 mauling of MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

Following the thrashing at the hands of Ronald Koeman’s Saints, Robinson claims he “couldn’t care less” if what he said had affected his players.

Koeman added: ” I am very pleased because he is a very good player.

As for Swansea, last season’s match-winner Jonjo Shelvey looks a certainty to be on board the plane to Paris while the consistent Cork is surely getting close to earning his first senior cap.

“(Injuries are) one of the big problems for Gaston.

The Dons now sit in 20th place in the Sky Bet Championship table, having accrued seven points from eight league games so far this season.

The Premier League side continued to dominate and it was 2-0 five minutes later when the Dons lost possession trying to play out of defence and Oriol Romeu played through Sadio Mane into the right side of the area before he dinked the ball past Martin from an angle.

“He isn’t the first choice, but I know his qualities”.

A lack of on-field discipline has also frustrated the Saints boss, although he spotted a few positive signs in Milton Keynes.

“That is a team who wants to win the competition”, said Robinson.

“Sometimes maybe it is a mental question for a player but he needs to be 100 per cent physically well to perform”. We’ve learned so many things about offensive and defensive play we’ll take.

Reports have emerged that Koeman has been identified as a candidate to replace Danny Blind, who succeeded Guus Hiddink in July, but the 52-year-old says he is happy at St Mary’s Stadium.

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“But, in my opinion, he took too much freedom and then it is hard for your organisation in the team”.

Milton Keynes Dons 0-6 Southampton