BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl explained his tactical switch to take off Kyle Walker-Peters and move James Ward-Prowse to right-back at Southampton. Trailing 2-0 at London Stadium, Oriol Romeu was brought on in place of Walker-Peters after 60 minutes, making his return from a fractured ankle sustained in February. That meant the Spaniard slotted into midfield alongside Ibrahima Diallo with captain Ward-Prowse switching to full-back. Asked for his reason behind the alteration,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I think I wanted to bring him (Ward-Prowse) onto the highest line to have a few deliveries in from the side and behind the last line with his right foot, that is why I put him on the right-back position. He (Walker-Peters) seemed to be a little bit running out of energy and that’s the reason is why I changed him.”
Saints went on to lose 3-0 in the capital and finish 15th in the top flight. Victory would have ensured a 12-placed finish.
