RALPH Hasenhuttl was delighted to welcome back skipper James Ward-Prowse at Watford but admitted to having headaches over his team selection. The England international immediately returned to Saints’ starting XI after serving a three-match ban. Ward-Prowse replaced Ibrahima Diallo for the 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road and was eventually replaced by the Frenchman with 10 minutes remaining. Asked about the comeback of his captain,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I think we did okay in the past few games when he was not on the pitch but it’s always good to have him back. His set-pieces were fantastic again. Also, on the pitch we know that he is an important player for our team. But it is also important for me that I see that I have with Ibra and Stuey (Armstrong) two players that can also play on this position. This is the difference now. I have a bigger squad, I have some headaches now for who I should pick. Prowsey at the end getting a little bit tired. You can sub him and bring in Ibra and this is quality – this makes the difference over last season.”
Saints also have the likes of Oriol Romeu and Will Smallbone to pick from in midfield, the latter having recently returned from a serious knee injury. Quizzed on the increased depth in his ranks,
Ralph Hasenhuttl replied: “It makes my work more flexible. The only thing is sometimes you have a little headache of what team you should pick. But to be honest, this is a nice problem. A nicer issue to have than having nobody and no alternative. Then you have injuries and you don’t know what you do. I prefer this (current) situation to be honest.”
Saints have now picked up seven points from their past three league games in all competitions, having beaten Watford and Leeds either side of drawing with Burnley. Next up for the St Mary’s side is a home clash with Aston Villa on Friday.
