SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has claimed “there is not the big threat of relegation any more” at Newcastle United, following their recent run under manager Eddie Howe. The Magpies looked to be in big danger of being relegated out of the Premier League by the end of 2021, but an unbeaten run of seven has changed the outlook drastically. They are only seven points behind Saints in the division, who are now ninth, but equally they are only clear of the drop zone by the same margin. Despite this, Hasenhuttl has declared that there is no longer a big threat of the side going down. On Howe’s impact
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Absolutely good. Fantastic. They stabilised the team, stabilised the club and stepped out of the relegation zone if you want. There is not the big threat of relegation any more. They are on a good run of form and it will be an interesting game. When I saw him at Bournemouth I think he had different styles. There was a moment where he played a lot of football and built up from behind, there was a time when they were struggling and he only kicked the ball long. He’s a manager who knows what he needs to do with a team. The most important thing in our job is to be flexible, to look at the quality you have in your team, and then decide in what direction to go.I would not ever mark a manager on one style or one shape that he wants to play. It always depends on the situation at that moment. This is what you can see in his managerial career. He’s definitely able to look at what he needs, and deliver the kind of football that is necessary in that moment.”
Asked to elaborate on his comments regarding their Premier League safety,
Ralph Hasenhuttl continued: “It’s not interesting what I see, I think it’s interesting what they think! As you know, the Premier League is such a tough league, and when you have a good run of form it definitely helps. But it can change very quickly in a different direction, and if there are only one or two games that are not running perfectly for you, then suddenly you are in a different situation. You can never be sure, the league is too strong, and the daily business is too effective for everything. One mistake and everything can change around, so nobody is safe, everybody has pressure, and has to be consistently at their highest level.”
