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Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl hinted in his Huddersfield Town pre-match press conference on Thursday that not only is he going to name an unchanged starting XI from the one that beat Arsenal 3-2 at St Mary’s last weekend, but also that he has found his preferred team which could leave the likes of Ryan Bertrand with a big battle on their hands.
What did he say?
According to quotes, as reported by The Daily Echo, the Austrian said:
“In the moment I am happy that I find the first 11 that showed me against Arsenal that it is possible that it fits good together.
“I am not in the situation that I change everything because one or the other player is a little bit tired. That is not in my mind at the moment.
“I am glad that I find now a first 11 and to come in this team is not so easy at the moment because they put something in my account and showed me they are able to take a win.”
What do his comments mean for the likes of Bertrand?
Previously, the Saints skipper would have expected to be one of the first names on the team-sheet whether he was fit or returning from injury or suspension, but the latest comments from his 51-year-old manager suggests that will no longer be the case.
The 11 players – including Matt Targett at left wing-back – proved against Arsenal that they worked effectively together as they produced a result, and it shows that Hasenhuttl simply won’t bring high-profile players like Bertrand, Mario Lemina and Cedric Soares back into the team simply because they are available again.
The former in particular looks to set for a tough battle with Targett impressing – especially from an offensive point of view given his pinpoint cross for Danny Ings’ opening goal last Sunday – and Hasenhuttl perhaps preferring to stick with an academy graduate as the club look to reignite ‘The Southampton Way’.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…
