Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has stressed the importance of this weekend’s meeting with fellow strugglers Everton. Hasenhuttl is under serious pressure after leading Southampton to just two victories from their 11 outings in the Premier League this season and he needs a performance against Everton this weekend.
Saints’ last win came on September 14 when they beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane and they have lost five of their following six engagements.
That winless streak included a 9-0 thrashing at the hands of Leicester last month but they came out of their recent meeting with Manchester City with some credit, losing 2-1.
Home form has been a major issue for Southampton over the past few seasons, winning just six times since November 2017.
Hasenhuttl accepts that the club is in a dire situation, just three points clear of rock-bottom Watford, but he is hoping they can turn a corner on Saturday. “Every game is now very important because we are under the line [relegation zone] at the moment,” Hasenhuttl said. “[Everton] also know it is an important game for them. It is in this moment and situation, a six-point game. For us it is important we win but if they don’t lose they stay away from us.
Everton are the visitors to St Mary’s and the Merseyside outfit travel with their own demons to contend with.
The Toffees have massively underachieved when taking into account the money shelled out by boss Marco Silva over the summer.
They are just one place and three points clear of Southampton and the Portuguese could be on his way out if they fall to a fifth successive defeat on the road.
Saints will take confidence from their 2-1 win over Everton on home soil last season when James Ward-Prowse’s effort, along with a Lucas Digne own goal, helped them to victory.
COMMENTS