SM
Yemen vs. Saudi Arabia: 1 hr 20 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SL
FA Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 25, 2020 at 3pm UK
 
SL

1-1

Boufal (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Heung-min (58')

Ralph Hasenhuttl talks up FA Cup importance ahead of Tottenham tie

:Headline: Ralph Hasenhuttl talks up FA Cup importance ahead of Tottenham tie: ID:387312: from db_amp
Saints will take on Tottenham in the fourth round on Saturday.

Ralph Hasenhuttl believes the FA Cup represents a "big chance" to clinch silverware and insists his attitude towards the competition has not been altered by Southampton significantly easing their relegation concerns.

Saints' remarkable resurgence has alleviated mounting pressure on Hasenhuttl and his team ahead of Saturday's fourth-round tie with Jose Mourinho's Tottenham.

The in-form south coast club have surged up the Premier League table on the back of seven wins from 11 games, with only leaders Liverpool and champions Manchester City accumulating more points during that time.

Southampton manager Hasenhuttl, who made 10 changes for the third-round win over Huddersfield, is adamant league position has no bearing on his approach to the cup.

"Even if we would be lower in the table, we know about the importance of this competition," said the Austrian.

"When you see the trophy, I think everybody wants to get their hands on it.

"It's a short way to go there, a few games, and it's a big chance to get a trophy and this is everything that's interesting for the weekend.

"We will go with the best possible squad to get into the next round against a strong side."

Southampton's superb form has moved them eight points clear of the drop zone and just three shy of fifth-placed Manchester United and weekend opponents Spurs.

European qualification is currently a realistic objective but Hasenhuttl is eager to avoid complacency and risk the "rainy days" returning.

"This is exactly the problem in modern football – you book a few wins and suddenly everybody is dreaming," he said.

"They can do it. For us, it's important that we still see how good we are.

"We took a few fantastic results but we know that if we stop doing what made us strong then we will immediately be a team that is not really competitive.

"All the rainy days we had before the sun came out helped us to enjoy the moment but to remember how quick it can change, this is a good message."

Tottenham travel to the south coast with a solitary win from their previous five Premier League matches, a disappointing run which included a 1-0 loss at St Mary's on New Year's Day.

Hasenhuttl dismissed suggestions it is a good time to face the eight-time FA Cup winners.

"I don't think the confidence is low because they won (against Norwich on Wednesday) and every game you win gives you confidence," he said.

"They're a strong side with fantastic players, fantastic manager.

"Although we won the last game, we know how tough it was. It was a tight game and it will be a tough fight, I think."

amp_article__387312 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-24 12:08:36:
html db last update - 2020-01-24 12:08:36 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ralph Hasenhuttl

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
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.



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