SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 9 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
LL
Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 11, 2020 at 3pm UK
 
SL

1-2

Praet (14')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Armstrong (19'), Ings (81')

Ralph Hasenhuttl says 9-0 defeat was "important result" ahead of reverse

:Headline: Ralph Hasenhuttl says 9-0 defeat was 'important result' ahead of reverse: ID:385546: from db_amp
Leicester ran riot at St Mary's in October.

Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Southampton's players cannot be praised enough for their "absolutely outrageous" response to the 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Leicester.

Saints suffered the ignominy of the joint worst defeat in Premier League history when the high-flying Foxes ran riot at a stunned St Mary's in late October.

The south coast club have recovered well from the humbling and sit five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's return meeting with Brendan Rodgers' second-placed side.

Manager Hasenhuttl admits memories of the embarrassment cannot be erased but feels it may have served as a catalyst for major improvement.

"We had a moment we will never forget, that is for sure," he said.

"Now two months later you must say that this can be an important result for us, especially when we show the right reaction.

"What the team showed after this result – where we knew it was absolutely disaster for us – was absolutely outrageous from the mentality and from the character and fighting back to a successful way.

"Games were coming – not easy games – and we did it really well.

"When you look now how the team's playing, it looks completely different.

"I cannot praise them enough for the reaction they showed and maybe thank you for this evening because it was an important one for us."

Southampton's players and coaching staff each donated a day's wage to the Saints Foundation charity in the wake of the debacle.

Hasenhuttl retained the backing of his club's board and has repaid the faith by guiding his team to 12th in the table on the back of 10 points from the last 12 available.

"It was a very difficult period, a very difficult term. Also for me, a new term – I've never had such a long time without being successful," continued Hasenhuttl.

"But I think it was a very, very important one, for me, for the players. We are now in a different moment.

"We are looking forward to every game and we feel that we are more competitive. You can feel that the players are doing well and they like to do it."

Right-back Yan Valery, who has suffered with an infection and not featured since late November, is the only Saints player unavailable for the trip to the King Power Stadium.

With Valery out and no recognised deputy for first-choice left-back Ryan Bertrand, former RB Leipzig coach Hasenhuttl is determined to strengthen his defensive options during the transfer window but would not be drawn on names of potential targets.

"We are in the market and we are looking for especially full-backs because we know that we have there not that many options at the moment," said Hasenhuttl.

"This will be definitely a position where we do something in the winter break.

"I don't want to comment on any names but you can be sure that we have a whole list of what is interesting to us."

Hasenhuttl has also urged Wesley Hoedt to focus on his loan spell at Royal Antwerp amid reported criticism from the defender.

Holland international Hoedt, who spent the second half of last season with Spanish club Celta Vigo, was quoted by Belgian media as being unhappy at not being given a chance by Hasenhuttl, while expressing surprise the Austrian retained his job following the 9-0 Leicester defeat.

"I heard that he does it well there, I'm happy for him, he's still our player," said Hasenhuttl.

"It's not always possible to give every player a chance to play.

"In the end, I think he should concentrate on his club he is playing in the moment and we are concentrating on our work we have to do."

amp_article__385546 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-09 17:44:21:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 19:44:47 :

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.



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