Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhüttl explains Ibrahima Diallo positioning and Che Adams #SAINTSFC

November 21, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl has explained his decision to play Ibrahima Diallo as his advanced ‘10’ on the right, insisting: “It was important to have a player who can win it for us when counter-attacking around the box.” The 22-year-old Frenchman had a difficult start finding his feet in the new position, before a flurry of promise towards the end of the first-half. The best of three chances he created, Diallo snatched the ball from Norwich in the midfield and played Che Adams through on goal – which could have seen Saints take the lead but for a top stop by Tim Krul. But like the whole side, the performance faded again when coming out for the second-half, before changes were made to the shape. It meant the likes of Nathan Tella were again overlooked, with the youngster not able to get any minutes on the pitch this time out. Hasenhuttl explained his decision, saying: “I did it because I think it was important in the first half, against the ball to have a player who can win it for us when counter-attacking around the box.” "I thought that he did it well but, yes, this is not his best position. In the number six he feels far more comfortable. "We controlled the game very well and it is always the hardest thing, scoring when the opposition is well organised. "We had the biggest chance pressing," he continued. "We had a high ball win and found Che (Adams) but they are never one hundred per cent goal chances. "Che was good but he was a little tired by the end, he played during the week. I am happy he still scored."
Romain Perraud
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- WhatsApp chat with #IbrahimDiallo helped convince #RomainPerraud to join Saints #SAINTSFC

July 6, 2021
NEW recruit Romain Perraud revealed conversations with fellow Frenchman Ibrahima Diallo helped convince him to make the move to Saints this summer. Left-back Perraud completed his move to Saints last week, penning a four-year contract after arriving for an undisclosed fee from Ligue 1 side Stade Brest. Saints' Premier League rivals West Ham, Newcastle and Leeds were all reportedly interested in signing the 23-year-old, who played 36 times in the French top flight last season. However, a familiar face among the Saints squad helped swing the deal. Perraud and Diallo were teammates at Brest during the 2019-20 campaign, before the latter made the move to Saints himself in October of last year. “Yes, before my signature I sent many messages on WhatsApp with Ibra Diallo,” Perraud told the Saints website. “He (Diallo) spoke with me about the club, the environment of the club and he told me good news. "Ibra is a very good person, so I can have confidence in him." Diallo featured 26 times in his debut season for Saints. But it was not only conversations with Diallo which saw Perraud plump for Saints. “For me, it’s the best league in the world, the Premier League. I’m very excited to try to challenge myself in this championship," he said. “When I was young, I would watch the games on the TV." He added: "The discussion with the manager was very important. I spoke with Ralph Hasenhuttl many times. "He spoke with me about tactics and the way to play. It was very good for me and I think there are similarities in his play and also mine." And Perraud was pleased to get the deal completed ahead of pre-season, which begins for Saints this week ahead of the 2021-22 campaign getting underway at Everton on August 14. "It's very important for me to meet the players before the season, because during the preparation you can integrate into the group," he said. "It's good for me and I want to start quickly, to meet the manager, players and medical staff." Asked how much he knew about Saints' history, Perraud added: "From the past I know many players, like Kevin Keegan and Peter Shilton, and I know this club has won one FA Cup in 1976. "I know this club. There were many good players here, like Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott, who is here now. "I'm excited to begin."