BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted he wanted Saints to find the “next gear” during the latter stages, despite their 3-1 victory over Swansea. Goals from Nathan Tella, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong meant the Premier League side came from behind in Wales to seal a pre-season victory over the managerless Championship Swans. But despite making seven changes on the hour mark at Liberty Stadium, Saints failed to add to their tally.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “We dropped a little bit the speed I must say in the last 30 minutes, yes. We had a few chances but I hope we give again the next gear and push them a little bit more. It was not enough for me but after the week they worked hard and they also on Friday we had not really taking respect of the game – we tried to work hard. It’s okay.”
Tella’s goal came just a minute after Mohammed Salisu shanked a cross from Liam Cullen into his own net on 15 minutes, while Redmond’s crisp finish put Saints ahead at the break. Armstrong fired in Shane Long’s cross on 57 minutes before the raft of changes from Hasenhuttl.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “I think it was a particularly good game. I think we scored three good goals. We conceded one and it was a horrible mistake from Sali but okay. But we are in pre-season, I think we are physically in a good position I think. The last freshness was not there but overall, it was a good performance.”
Saints continue their pre-season fixture schedule with a home clash against Levante on Wesnesday, before hosting Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Their first competitive game comes at Everton in the Premier League on August 14.
