#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl is happy with Southampton’s squad size but issues a warning #SAINTSFC

RALPH Hasenhuttl has praised the makeup of his 2021-22 squad but warned “we will need every player this season”, admitting that last campaign they were left “a little bit short of numbers.” Saints have made six transfers into the squad, while only three key first-teamers have gone the other way, and with another centre-back likely to replace the outgoing Jannik Vestergaard Hasenhuttl’s options will definitely have more depth – even if the quality is as of yet unproven. The manager claims the mood around the camp is good following a largely successful pre-season, despite a rotated Saints side being comfortably beaten by Athletic Bilbao at St Mary’s. Saints had a torrid second-half of last year’s Premier League season, after an injury crisis and drop in performances combined to see only one clean sheet kept after January – ensuring Saints’ fall down the table. Read more Southampton's Nathan Tella on Everton Premier League opener Hasenhuttl confirms Vestergaard set to make Leicester switch Alex McCarthy targeting top-half Premier League finish At the moment, centre-back, left-back and possibly defensive-midfield look a little bit light, but incomings and versatility of some squad players should see to a healthier looking squad come the end of August and hopefully help avoid a repeat of last term. Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Everton opener, Hasenhuttl insisted: "We need every player this season for sure. It's a long season and last season we were a little bit short of numbers, to be honest. “Now we have a wider squad, a bigger squad and in the end a lot of games are coming up so everyone must bring themselves in the best physical and mental condition to help us.” On the atmosphere inside the Saints camp, the Austrian gaffer added: “I must say we always have a very good atmosphere in pre-season. “Everyone wants to work hard, even the players coming back from on loan like Yan Valery and Longy. They like to work hard and fight for being in the squad.”