SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 5 hrs 59 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

James Ward-Prowse praises 'unbelievable' impact of Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl

:Headline: James Ward-Prowse praises 'unbelievable' impact of Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl: ID:346761: from db_amp
The former RB Leipzig coach has overseen three Premier League wins since arriving at St Mary's.

James Ward-Prowse has hailed manager Ralph Hasenhuttl's "unbelievable" impact at Southampton.

Mark Hughes may have staved off relegation last term but this season Saints appeared to be heading only one way, leading the club to sack the Welshman last month.

Highly-rated former RB Leipzig coach Hasenhuttl was swiftly brought in and has hit the ground running, with Southampton winning three Premier League matches since the Austrian arrived – as many as Hughes managed in his eight-month tenure.

Saturday's 2-1 triumph at Leicester was the latest as his side dug deep and defended resolutely to hold on to victory, despite being reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Yan Valery saw red.

The organisation out of possession was particularly striking for a side that had become a byword for defensive disarray, with goalscorer Ward-Prowse noticing a sea change under Hasenhuttl.

"The difference has been unbelievable," the midfielder told Press Association Sport. "We have a clear structure and a plan of what do with and without the ball.

"You can see in the performances and games we've had, there's an idea and a philosophy, and that's grown.

"We've had good and bad results, but the progress is there to be seen and that's the way the club needs to be going.

"We've done quite a lot of video work of the ideas he wants to implement, it's up to us in the short amount of time we've had with him to go and do it.

"He's been impressed with the way we've adapted to his style of play.

"It's good to have a manager who can communicate well with you and tell you what he wants in his team."

Saints still have a long way to go to avoid the drop as they remain just a point above the drop zone, but Ward-Prowse says Hasenhuttl has been just the tonic for the struggling club.

"It was needed," the one-cap England international said. "We had that similar feeling when Mark Hughes came to us at the end of last season.

"You can see the way this manager wants to play, it's exciting for me as a player to be part of it."

Ward-Prowse was conspicuous by his absence from Hasenhuttl's first few selections but has impressed the manager with his versatility and hunger.

Other big names have been told they are not part of the Austrian's plans, though, with Manolo Gabbiadini shifted to Sampdoria and Wesley Hoedt, a favourite of Hughes, told he can move on.

Hasenhuttl has had some joy introducing his high-energy, pressing game, but Ward-Prowse knows the hard work has just begun.

"It's been hard, over Christmas, we haven't been able to train as much – when we have week to week games, we'll be able to do more," he added.

"If we have a full pre-season under him, we'll have that conversation again and I'll say something different.

"We're on the front foot, looking to score quick goals on the counter attack and that's the style we need to be playing."

amp_article__346761 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-14 07:26:37:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 23:39:51 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ralph Hasenhuttl

Click here for more stories about Southampton

Share this article now:
Read more about Ralph Hasenhuttl Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .