NEW Norwich boss Dean Smith has labelled Saints “a hard team to play against” under Ralph Hasenhuttl, ahead of his first match. Speaking ahead of his all-important first game at the helm, Smith warned of the threats that Saints pose his side
Dean Smith said: “We have really good backing from our supporters. I know they’ll be behind us Saturday. But we’re very respectful of Ralph and Southampton, they’re a hard team to play against. We know how difficult it is at this level. Defensively, we need to be harder to beat and we want to start there. But with the creative talent we’ve got, we need to be creating more chances.”
In a boost for the relegation battlers, Smith did confirm that he has a full squad to choose from with the exception of two – Christoph Zimmerman and long-term absentee Sam Byram. There were doubts over the likes of defenders Grant Hanley, Andrew Omobamidele and Ozan Kabak.
Dean Smith confirmed: “We have a fully fit squad at the moment, apart from Christoph Zimmermann still being out. Sam Byram is going to play 45 minutes for the Under-23s this evening.”
