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.

---

The Champions League semifinals kick off Tuesday when the two biggest surprises of the competition meet up in London. Tottenham, fresh from knocking out Manchester City in the competition, welcomes Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first leg.

---

Captain Jordan Henderson has been recalled to the Liverpool side for their Premier League clash with Wolves at Molineux. Wolves vs Liverpool LIVE - Team news, score updates and commentary from
Liverpool vs Huddersfield Town Preview: Probable Lineups

---

Frank Lampard vs John Terry: Who won more trophies as Chelsea legends go head-to-head in Championship play-off final by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 27 May Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and John Terry line up in opposition dugouts at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.
Frank Lampard vs John Terry: Chelsea best mates go head-to

---

hudsonodoi
Gareth Southgate urged Callum Hudson-Odoi to maintain the effort he has shown over his first two appearances with England. Having made a cameo against the Czech Republic on Friday, Hudson-Odoi - who is yet to make a Premier League start for Chelsea - was handed his full England debut in Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro.
Who is Tashan Oakley-Boothe? The Spurs wonderkid who won the

---

How Pep Guardiola's Man City starting XI has changed since first match in charge. Pep Guardiola has made wholesale changes to the Man City line-up since taking charge in 2016 - we analyse what has
Manchester City transfer strategy outlined as Pep Guardiola

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Chelsea and Arsenal approach Insigne, Man United scout Barella, Tottenham's Christian Eriksen 'agrees' to join Real Madrid - talkSPORT 2019/05/02; UCL Semifinal Leg 2 Ajax vs Tottenham Odds & Prediction | SBD - SportsBettingDime.com 2019/05/02
Decorators' Blog Archives - Builders Talk Group

---

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

---

News list for rangers 3-1 rapid vienna steven gerrard s side win in europa league News list for rangers 3-1 rapid vienna steven gerrard s side win in europa league /MARK WILSON AT IBROX: Crouched low in his technical area, fists clenched and roaring in celebration, Steven Gerrard greeted the moment like few before in his Rangers tenure.
Peter Murphy tossed from own show after throwing glass and
gistjunction.com/2018/12/13/peter-murphy-tossed-from-own-show-after-throwing-glass-and-bottles-at-crowd/
Peter Murphy and David J recently reunited for a tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of gothic rock pioneers Bauhaus.Just as they were nearing the end of their European leg on Tuesday night, however, things took an aggressive turn that ended with Murphy being kicked out of his own show.
Aston Villa News Archive - Football

---

Liverpool transfer news recap - Mohamed Salah medical set for Thursday, stats prove he is worth record fee. All the latest news, transfers, opinion and reaction from Anfield throughout the day

---

Derby boss Frank Lampard is Chelsea's record goalscorer and a possible successor, but whether he would move at this stage of the season is uncertain. Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Sarri following internal discussions at the club. To compound Chelsea's woes, winger Eden Hazard is understood
Zinedine Zidane | FujiiPOP Online Magazine

---

Home / Lincoln City crowned League Two champions following goalless draw with Tranmere Rovers. Sport April 23, 2019 . Lincoln City crowned League Two champions
League Two round-up: Lincoln crowned champions with goalless

---