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Southampton and Ralph Hasenhuttl are a match made in heaven. But even the most perfect of relations cannot afford to stand still.
Right now, confidence is oozing out of Southampton pores. Project Restart offered a serious insight into what Saints could achieve under Ralph Hasenhuttl. They ended last season with a flourish, losing just once in the final nine games, winning five and drawing three.
For the first time in a long time, Southampton can afford to look above rather than below. The 54 points accrued last term was their best since Ronald Koeman guided the club into Europe in the 2015/16 season. Excitement is palpable, momentum a necessity.
While is appears improbable they will be forced to stave off the threat of relegation for the fourth season in a row, Hasenhuttl’s men will have to continue evolving if they are to remain progressive under the Austrian. They can no longer be viewed as a group of players with enviable work-rate, or a team that relies on maximising their physical output to mask their technical deficiencies.
They now need to develop into high-functioning outfit, enriched with genuine quality and able to still carry out the physical demands of their high-octane 4-2-2-2 system. But given their form post-lockdown, which was a sufficient sample size to measure Southampton’s progress, all signs are pointing in a positive direction.
However, a pertinent flaw which will have to be addressed is their form at St Mary’s. Last season’s six wins in 19 games was a torrid record which simply can not go on for much longer, particularly when their record on the road was the third best in the league behind only Liverpool and Manchester City.
They are unlikely to enjoy such excellent form away from home this time around, so the quicker they fix their Jekyll and Hyde home performances, the better.
The impetus on the pitch has been duly matched by the business off it. Saints have done the majority of their transfer dealings early, with Kyle Walker-Peters signing on a permanent basis. There is also growing sense among those at the club that Mohammed Salisu’s acquisition from Real Valladolid will soon to prove a bargain, given the context of this transfer window where left-footed centre-backs are in high demand and likely to come at a premium. Salisu’s adeptness at covering ground quickly will also be conducive to Southampton’s high pressing game.
Owner Gao Jisheng continues to insist that he will not put any funds into the club, so it means Southampton will always have to sell in order to generate funds. This made the club cash in on former captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who had 12 months left on his deal.
At the time of writing, Saints are still continuing in their attempts to shift the deadwood from the calamitous bygone eras, with Guido Carrillo and Wesley Hoedt the notable unwanted men. But the club did manage to get £8 million for Harrison Reed and a loan with an obligation to buy – providing they stay up – from Fulham for Mario Lemina.
It is understood the club are on the hunt for one more addition, with a central midfielder being a priority.
Nevertheless, the way the window has gone so far has re-affirmed the opinion that Hasenhuttl is finally managing to acquire round pegs to fit round holes. With the current feeling among supporters that the 53-year-old is the best manager the club have had since Mauricio Pochettino, it is of the upmost importance Saints hand him the necessary tools to weave his authenticity on the side.
Considering Saints only have to play two of the top six sides before late November – Tottenham and Chelsea – it presents an ideal opportunity to pick up where they left off and start this season fast.
Of course there will be ceiling the club won’t be able to break through, even with the coaching acumen of Hasenhuttl leading them. And admittedly, the congested fixture schedule due to Covid-19 may hamper the physical exuberance of the side, which will be something to keep an eye on.
So while a top eight finish seems unlikely, it would take a brave person to put limitations on this side’s current potential. As shown in their heroic 1-0 win against Manchester City in July, Southampton are a brave, enigmatic side that are prepared to stand toe-to-toe with just about anyone. Having a 22-goal supernova, who goes by the name of Danny Ings, in your side too, is also bound to be an avid source of weaponry.
They are no longer a soft touch, an easy three points. When your team lines up to play them next year, you will swiftly come to realise you are in a serious game. And when your players wake up the next morning, they will know that, too.
Southampton’s progression is real. And with Ralph Hasenhuttl at the helm, a 6ft 3′ Austrian cyclone might just be ready to hit the Premier League even harder than before.
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