Southampton boss Russell Martin says his team “have a lot to work on” after a limp pre-season defeat at newly promoted Championship side Oxford United.

Saints were 2-0 down by half-time at Kassam Stadium and could not mount a serious response after the break despite Martin making seven substitutions.

“We lacked personality, character and energy for 45 minutes,” he told club media after the defeat. “We lacked intensity and that’s a problem.

“It’s a problem whether it’s pre-season, whether it’s a game in the Premier League or in the Championship so I’m disappointed by that.

“We have a lot to work on.”

It was Southampton’s first defeat of pre-season and Martin’s side have meetings with Millwall, Lazio and Getafe before opening their Premier League season away to Newcastle on Saturday, 17 August.

“A lot of good stuff has just been overshadowed,” he added. “It felt like a pre-season game and I don’t like that feeling.”