Southampton: How Ralph Hasenhttl has transformed the Saints as they battle for survival

Southampton: How Ralph Hasenhttl has transformed the Saints as they battle for survival
Southampton are by no means safe, but the door to the Championship has closed considerably in recent months.Under Mark Hughes, Southampton looked to have accepted their fate, second-tier football was on the cards and nine points in 15 matches hinted at a first Premier League relegation since 2005 – until Ralph Hasenhuttl turned up.5

Raplh Hasenhuttl has turned things around at Southampton

Change was needed. The board turned to the ex-RB Leipzig manager. His arrival was understated, was this the right man to lead a side languishing in 18th, away from danger and galvanise a squad depleted of confidence and purpose?The answer at present would have to be yes. Although Southampton are currently 16th and only two points above the drop, there has been a marked improvement in his brief reign. The ‘new manager effect’ is a age-old footballing myth, in which the boss is sacrificed and the team suddenly starts playing better, is readily reserved for a labouring club, struggling for form.However, wins over Arsenal, Everton, and Tottenham, a battling goalless draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a narrow loss to Manchester United are indicative of that theory.These results you feel, could very well have been defeats only weeks earlier.A trip to Brighton, live on talkSPORT 2, is their next fixture, three points here are crucial.What is telling, is that the 51-year-old has won six of his 17 games, his predecessor Hughes managed just five in 27.5

Southampton have taken a high press approach to put the opposition under pressure

While the Austrian lacks the footballing CV of Hughes, Mauricio Pellegrino and Claude Puel, this does not appear to have impacted him as of yet.Hasenhttl has not only changed the mood on the South Coast, but the tactics and positions too, switching between a 3-4-2-1 and a 3-5-2 formation.He has gone from a back four to three centre-halves, Wesley Hoedt out and Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard coming in.Hughes’ preferred midfield choice was Pierre-Emile Hjbjerg and Mario Lemina. Hasenhttl has favoured Oriol Romeu, his presence offers the defence added protection.5

Oriol Romeu has now returned to the first XI under Hasenhuttl.

The high-energy press favours pushing back the opponent over possession, fuelled by intense, repetitive training sessions which he described as mind-blowing in his initial press conference. Make the opposition’s life as difficult as possible seems to be part of the theory.Bednarek has flourished under Hasenhttl, Nathan Redmond, move from the wing to a central role, is integral to the squad, so too is Danny Ings, while James Ward-Prowse has propelled himself back into England contention, winning his second cap against Montenegro on Monday night.5

James-Ward Prowse, Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings are key to Southampton’s survival

Credit must go to the manager, Southampton have history when it comes to producing young talent.Luke Shaw, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, the list goes on. That tradition appeared to have been forgotten, Hasenhttl is embracing it once more.The heady heights of Ronald Koeman’s time in charge, which over saw two top 10 finishes, seventh and sixth respectively, their highest ever Premier League points total of 63 and Europa League group stage qualification, seem a distant memory.What Southampton would give to rewind five years, but that’s the beauty of hindsight. Times have changed, survival not Europe is the objective.5

The Saints have a capable squad and will hope to stay up

Hasenhttl’s appointment was considered a gamble by some, his experience mainly confined to the second tier of German football and Southampton could still drop out of the Premier League.But what they do have now is a plan and optimism. Should they stay up, there is no reason why they cannot move themselves further up the table.A bit of rebuilding in the summer and Hasenhttl has a capable team, one which could and should push on.The players are there to do it and now, more importantly, so is the manager.

---

How the Middlesbrough players rated in a cut-and-paste defeat to Bristol. Downing catches the eye on his return to the starting line-up, writes Anthony Vickers

---

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has given Kalidou Koulibaly's possible move to Manchester United a thumbs down. Koulibaly has emerged as United's primary target to reinforce their backline.
Liverpool set to lose Sadio Mane on one condition as

---

Emotional Spurs legend Hoddle says 'I'm glad I'm still around to see this' after heart attack just months before historic Ajax comeback time to see Tottenham reach the Champions League
The Official Site of Major League Baseball | MLB.com

---

How far every Premier League club's players have run this season

---

Christian Pulisic says he is privileged to have signed for "legendary" Chelsea in a deal worth €64million. The 20-year-old United States international will stay at Borussia Dortmund for the rest
~ Christian Pulisic says he is privileged to sign for

---

Rangers news: Steven Gerrard hits back at Steve Clarke dive comments RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard has slammed Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke over the Scot's suggestion that Jermain Defoe should
Steven Gerrard manager hits back at Steve Clarke over Defoe

---

Defoe's last featured for Bournemouth on December 19, coming on as a late substitute in their defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It will be an entirely different story for the veteran forward at Cowdenbeath's ground where stock car racing is a regular fixture on the calendar. Jermain Defoe is expected to make his Rangers debut at
Will striker face Cowdenbeath in Scottish Cup fourth round
sportsalert.org/2019/01/17/will-striker-face-cowdenbeath-in-scottish-cup-fourth-round-what-has-steven-gerrard-said/
Jermain Defoe is expected to make his Rangers debut on Friday night in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cowdenbeath. Defoe completed his move from Bournemouth to Ibrox on January 6, signing an 18-month loan deal with Steven Gerrard's Gers.
LIVE Cowdenbeath News | One News Page [United Kingdom]

---

That's what happened to Jesse Lingard after he was labelled the English version of Andres Iniesta by former Manchester United coach, Rene Meulensteen. For any young player, it is of great sign to
Manchester United news: Jesse Lingard earns billing as

---

Manchester United news: Alan Brazil refuses to apologise to

---

Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in a tense, nerve-wrought game in Madrid to clinch the Champions League title. Jurgen Klopp's side took an early lead after a disastrous start for Spurs when Moussa Sissoko inadvertently blocked Sadio Mane's cross with his arm after just 26 seconds, allowing Mohamed Salah to rifle home from the spot.
Moussa Sissoko names the one Spurs - football.london

---

Derby County's Player of the Season award, named after club legend Jackie Stamps, was introduced in 1968. In the previous five decades, no loan player has won it. Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori, all
Fikayo Tomori beats Mason Mount to Derby fans' Player of the

---

Sean Dyche 'confused' about Jurgen Klopp comments on tackling during Burnley vs Liverpool game Joe Gomez was forced off with injury and both managers had a differing view on what were good and
Burnley boss Sean Dyche 'confused' by Jurgen Klopp tackling

---

Joao Felix next club odds: Wolves, Juventus, West Ham and Manchester United in the race to sign £100m-rated wonderkid The 19-year-old has 13 goals and seven assists in the Primeira Liga already
Joao Felix next club odds: Wolves, Juventus, West Ham and

---

The latest Aston Villa FC news, transfer rumours and results. Page 6
Aston Villa pinpoint first summer transfer as owners prepare

---

On 26 June 2014, Hendrick agreed a new four-year contract with Derby, which would keep him at the club until the end of the 2017-18 season. The 2014-15 season was his most fruitful to date in terms of goalscoring as he netted a total of nine goals in 47 matches in all competitions.
Live Coverage: Premier League final day - as it happened

---