Hasenhuttl accepts importance of midweek clash with rivals AFC Bournemouth

 

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham at St Mary's Stadium. Photo by Stuart Martin..

RALPH Hasenhuttl accepted the importance of Wednesday’s clash with AFC Bournemouth but insisted he retains “all the belief” in what Saints are doing.

The St Mary’s side visit the Vitality Stadium five points behind their fellow south-coast Premier League rivals after 10 matches.

Bournemouth, first managed by Scott Parker before Gary O’Neil took over on an interim basis, were firm favourites for relegation before the season began.

They were defeated 9-0 by Liverpool but are the only team in the division to remain unbeaten since, despite a difficult summer of recruitment and many feeling they have a weaker squad.

Saints, who are in the bottom three with eight points, must start picking up victories and crucially against teams they are likely to be competing with come the end of the season.

"For us, it's a Premier League game and an important one,” Hasenhuttl said, asked if there is any added incentive given the locality and shared objectives of the clubs.

“We go there and I think we know that they are in good shape at the moment, but we go there like we have always gone into in the past with all the belief in what we are doing to make it a good evening for us.”

The meeting comes off the back of a 1-1 draw with West Ham United, at St Mary’s, that ended a run of four straight defeats in the Premier League for Hasenhuttl and Saints.

It could have been a first win since the August victory over Chelsea, after Romain Perraud put Saints ahead and Che Adams squandered two big chances.

"For everybody it is very frustrating because these are the moments where you can make a big step forward,” Hasenhuttl admitted.

“But it would still be a long way to go. There's no guarantee that you win games but it makes it a little bit easier. And then you can definitely play a little bit calmer but we are never in the situation."

He added: "Let's say every point we get is a point gained and we know that we need every point.

“We are now going to Bournemouth and then against Arsenal so another two games this week. We have to be ready for the Wednesday game, immediately focus is on the game and hopefully we can get a win there."

Story continues

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook

cinema1 cinema2 cinema3 cinema4 cinema5 cinema6 cinema7 cinema8 cinema9 cinema10 cinema11 cinema12 cinema13 cinema14 cinema15 cinema16 cinema17 cinema18 cinema19 cinema20 cinema21 cinema22 cinema23 cinema24 49erssports.com www.endezo-it.com tewaksport redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301

Kai Havertz cited after '£100m' Man City player reveal - expert

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Jack Grealish is receiving unfair criticism for his Man City performances.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Grealish’s ex-Aston Villa teammate cited Kai Havertz as a player with a big price tag who has not performed but does not get the same level of criticism.

Grealish joined Man City in a British record-breaking £100million transfer last summer (2021) but has only 11 goal contributions in 45 games across all competitions for the club.

As quoted by the Athletic last week (17 September), the 27-year-old admitted he should be scoring more goals and providing more assists.

Pep Guardiola had previously insisted that Grealish was performing well in his team despite his lack of numbers.

Asked whether he thought the criticism of his former teammate is justified, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I don’t think so, no.

“As a £100million footballer, that’s what Aston Villa valued him at and they got that. That’s not his fault but he’s getting judged because of that.

“There are other players that have been brought in for big money. You look at [Kai] Havertz and you don’t hear anything about him not doing it, him not performing.

“I feel for Jack. He’s just got to keep his head, keep concentrating on his game, do what his manager wants him to do and that’s all that matters. Not the media, not other fan bases.

“Concentrate on your performances and that’s what he’s doing. He scored a goal that was the Pep way, getting in from the left wing at the back post and scoring. He’s doing everything right.”

In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Man City could now “quietly dispose” of a controversial deal.

redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301