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Blinding honesty from Ralph Hasenhuttl after Newcastle 3 Southampton 1

5 years ago
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All credit to Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Managers such as him coming into the Premier League are a breath of fresh air.

He brought Southampton to St James Park on a run of four wins from the last six games and 27 points from only 18 games in charge, having impressed both Saints fans and neutrals alike.

However, he has also reinforced the opinion I had of him after seeing him giving interviews before and after previous matches.

Whilst Sam Allardyce repeatedly moans about no Premier League club being interested in employing him these days, he should have a look at somebody like Ralph Hasenhuttl.

When Fat Sam is in a job, nothing is ever his fault. He always looks to deflect blame and hates giving credit to the opposition.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was blindingly honest after losing 3-1 to Newcastle.

I actually thought the Saints were a bit unlucky, as they created a lot of chances in the second half but couldn’t get the finishing touch to add to Lemina’s consolation.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was full of praise for Newcastle United and declared ‘we didn’t deserve to get anything’ from today’s match.

The Southampton boss also admitting they were lucky not to have Ward-Prowse sent off when he was faced with a Newcastle break and outnumbered two to one, brought down Almiron, but only received a yellow.

However, Hasenhuttl then acknowledging that this simply got the crowd and team going with a very positive reaction…’It was an intense game. First-half we were not able to stop them. After 20 minutes, it seemed we got out of the pressure but then there was the situation with the corner and a counter-attack against us, where we made a foul. We were a little bit lucky it was only a yellow (for Ward-Prowse) in this moment but then the crowd was loud and their team was very aggressive.’

Ralph Hasenhuttl:

“The first half was so bad, we didn’t deserve to get anything (from the match).

“If you start like that and are 2-0 down at half-time, it’s hard to come back.

“It was an intense game. First-half we were not able to stop them.

“After 20 minutes, it seemed we got out of the pressure but then there was the situation with the corner and a counter-attack against us, where we made a foul.

“We were a little bit lucky it was only a yellow (for Ward-Prowse) in this moment but then the crowd was loud and their team was very aggressive.

“We were sitting on the back foot and it was not good enough today.

“I have to say it, in the first-half it was too calm, too slow and not aggressive enough. In that way, you can’t play in the Premier League because you have no chance.

“The opponent was very good today, very aggressive and physical. We had no chance to keep the ball and that creates pressure sometimes.

“That was why we changed so much at half-time by taking off two players and the shape. You normally do if you have the feeling that nothing works. In the second-half we were coming back from 2-0 down but against such a team in this stadium it is not easy to come back.

“We tried everything and had a few chances for an equaliser. We played very well in the second-half but it was too late.

“Changing shape caused more problems for Newcastle.

“They didn’t have a lot of chances in the second half, apart from hitting the post, which was lucky.

“We have to be sharper and more aggressive.

“We know we are not safe – 40 points is the reason why it’s a crucial game on Tuesday (play Watford away).

“We need to be concentrated and hard working.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 3 Southampton 1

Goals:

Newcastle:

Perez 27, 31, 86

Southampton:

Lemina 59

Possession was Southampton 57% Newcastle 43%

Total shots were Southampton 15 Newcastle 14

Shots on target were Southampton 3 Newcastle 6

Corners were Southampton 11 Newcastle 4

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Schar (Fernandez 69), Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden (Diame 78), Ki, Almiron (Atsu 64), Perez, Rondon

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Shelvey, Muto, Yedlin

Crowd: 52,191 (1,700 Southampton)

(Rafa tells Mike Ashley after win over Southampton that Newcastle have to start and compete on transfers and wages – HERE)

(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to beating Southampton HERE)

(Alan Shearer reacts to Newcastle 3 Southampton 1 HERE)

(Date and time finally confirmed for Newcastle v Liverpool on Saturday night – Details HERE)

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