Saints have picked up two points from their first three fixtures of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, but manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has seen more positives.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said “The way we played or we created chances and scored goals was good, I think. Yeah, I spoke last season about that (Moyes’ West Ham turnaround). We lost against them in the final game. We know the strength they have, they have very good individual qualities in the team but also a clear and very efficient way of playing football – this is the reason why they’re so successful. Our game against the ball also, but the amount of goals we conceded in the first three games was above the average we try to have, so far. And this is what we have to change, this is a tricky topic for the last weeks – it’s getting more and more difficult in the Premier League to have clean sheets, you see it every weekend. Teams are getting stronger and it’s not so easy. A few chances are enough for the opponent to score and this is what makes it so difficult but, especially in the last game, we normally should’ve won it and we had the bigger chances. Conceding in the end a goal, what is absolutely to defend. And this is what we have to discuss.”
The Austrian manager has previewed Saturday’s clash with David Moyes’ West Ham, who, after qualifying for the Europa League last season, are now second in the table with seven points from three. The Hammers secured that qualification and defeated Saints 3-0 on the final day of last season, with Pablo Fornals hitting a brace. Michail Antonio, who was on loan at Saints between 2009-2010, has stolen the show with four goals and a flurry of forward action already this campaign as Moyes’ rejuvenated outfit cannot be stopped by opposition defences. They’ve already put ten goals away this season, but have not kept a clean sheet themselves either. On the other hand, Saints were handed a tough start to the league season on paper and it has proven to be so, managing a draw with Manchester United and rescuing another with a last-minute penalty at Newcastle. Only Adam Armstrong, Moi Elyounoussi and James Ward-Prowse have got on the scoresheet for Saints so far this season – after Che Adams’ strike was ruled to be a Fred own goal – and someone will need to step into the breech and provide regular strikes. Having conceded six in three also,
Hasenhuttl reflected on his team’s performances and said “The way we played or we created chances and scored goals was good, I think. Our game with the ball was very good.”
Saints vs West Ham kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 11 September, at St Mary’s – in the first domestic action since deadline day and the international break.
