Ferguson made seven changes from the side beaten at Leyton Orient on Good Friday and insisted the debut display of academy product Joe Newell was the major positive on a disappointing day.
"Some people will no doubt criticise me for making the changes, but I did it for the right reasons and I don't regret it," said Ferguson.
"Our performance at Leyton Orient was a tired one and the lads looked full of fatigue. This was the time to pull them out and give them a good rest because I could not see Southampton slipping up three times.
"We will be playing our strongest possible team in our last two matches to try to build some momentum for the play-offs.
"But the real positive was the display of young Joe Newell. We're keen to bring through our own talent and he's the best young player I've seen in my time here."
Source: PA
Source: PA