BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted the “quality and performance” of frontman Che Adams is rising in a Saints shirt, as he proved the match-winner at Watford. The Scotland international struck his second goal in as many games with a sublime, precise finish to ensure a 1-0 victory over the Hornets at Vicarage Road. Adams’s goal ensured the St Mary’s side got their first league win on the road since March. And despite the former Birmingham frontman squandering another chance to add to his tally in the opening period, Hasenhuttl is happy with the way his striker is operating. Asked whether he saw a more confident, complete player in Adams,
Ralph Hasenhuttl replied: “For a striker, it’s always important when you score goals. The quality and performance is definitely rising. He’s earned his chance to play now because Armando (Broja) was injured. Everybody knows he has to show up because there is pressure from the other players in the team.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl added: “He had a massive one (chance) after his goal but this is the good thing this season I must say. We don’t just have one striker who scores goals, we have more strikers that are able to score. We have more players – they can step in immediately when we have two or three games a week. Two goals in the past two games is important for a striker and he also did good work up front. This is what we need.”
Adams’s tireless running alongside Adam Armstrong was also a factor which pleased Hasenhuttl, as Saints looked to press Claudio Ranieri’s side.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Especially against these teams we have to put the pressure high and the speed in the game very high because then they automatically make mistakes. When you do this against Chelsea you can also do this against Watford. What we couldn’t do sometimes is win against these teams. We had a few draws this season but now, second win, very important one. We keep on going. We have a few games coming up where we must take points and this is very important for the season.”