Ralph Hasenhuttl insists his goal-shy Southampton side need to be more ruthless against Newcastle…
Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged the Southampton team to be more ruthless
Southampton take on a defensively solid team from Newcastle on Sunday
Hasenhuttl could be tempted to turn to Sekou Mara to solve his scoring problems
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Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged his goal-shy Southampton side to be more ruthless when they turn up against the Premier League’s meanest defenses on Sunday.
Saints have scored just four goals in their last eight games before the visit of a Newcastle side that has scored fewer goals than any other team this season.
Manager Hasenhuttl said: “If one goal is enough to beat us, we can’t live with that. Clean sheets help a lot, but I don’t think defending has been the problem in recent games.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has challenged his goal-shy Southampton team to be more ruthless
“It’s about being more clinical with the chances we had and if we do that a little bit better in front of goal I think we can get more wins. This is what we’re missing right now.’
Hasenhuttl could be tempted to turn to Sekou Mara to solve his scoring problems after the young French forward scored four goals in a B-Team game against Sunderland last weekend.
Hasenhuttl said: “It was Premier League 2 and the quality of the opponent is not like a Premier League club.
Southampton take on Newcastle on Sunday, which have the worst defense in the league
Hasenhuttl could be tempted to turn to Sekou Mara to solve his Sunday scoring problems
“I think for a striker like him or Theo Walcott it was important that they score goals and they did. For them it was important because you gain confidence.
“I know every goal is important for you as a striker.”
Hassenhuttl, who will be in charge of Southampton for four years next month, also praised his Newcastle counterpart Eddie Howe.
The Austrian said: “Eddie was in Bournemouth for a long time and he ended up having a hard time with this team.
“In Newcastle he immediately showed that he knows what he does with a team and it was no surprise to me that he has been successful.”