Southampton goalscorer Dan N’Lundulu declared last night’s 3-2 defeat at Forest Green in the Leasing.com Trophy ‘one of the hardest games I’ve ever played’, but was left reflecting on a valuable experience for the whole team.
Radhi Jaïdi fielded a very young side, with N’Lundulu the oldest player on show at 20 years of age, but competed gallantly against the hosts, who finished in the League Two play-off places last season.
The striker said there were lessons to be learned after a deserved point slipped through Saints’ fingers just a minute from time.
“It was a hard game – probably one of the hardest games I’ve ever played. The boys fought through,” N’Lundulu said.
“When we came back to 2-2, I thought we had the game. That’s when we need to keep positive, keep pushing on and get higher, but I think we just got unlucky.
“Us Academy boys have never been on loan, so it’s a good experience for us to be playing against a League Two side.
“They’re physical and it’s very different to Academy football. It’s a good test for us and we came out of this game with a positive, with a good reaction from Friday’s game.”
N’Lundulu, who was on the bench for the first team against Manchester United on Saturday, now has four goals in five games this season after a fine individual effort last night.
“As soon as I set the ball to Lucas (Defise), I just had to get in behind,” he said. “As the ball came, I took a touch and I was one v one.
“Getting at defenders is my strength, so I moved it on to my left and placed it. It was a good goal.”
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