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Ralph Is Taking The Cups Seriously This Season
Tuesday, 27th Aug 2019 14:08

Saints travel to Fulham looking to have another good run in the League cup, after all it's our best shot at glory this season, but what side will Ralph Hasenhuttl put out.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has stated that he intends to take the cup competitions seriously this season, he gets his chance to prove that with a trip to Fulham, one of the better teams in the Championship.

The Austrian has admitted that when he arrived last season he had eyes only on avoiding relegation, but now he is setting his sights higher and that includes the cups.

“I am prioritising them in a high way this year,” he said ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup second round tie away to Fulham

“Last season it wasn’t that bad that we didn’t play in the FA Cup but this year we want to get as a far as possible.

“We concentrate absolutely on this cup competition.”

The manager has stated that although there will be a strong squad travelling to Craven Cottage, he will be giving one or two a game who haven't yet played much this season.

" I know I have a lot of options at the front but also at centre back positions. It can be that we change a little bit,” he admitted.

“I will have a look at how intense the Brighton game was because it was very hot and we invested a lot in the game but sure it’s now easier for me to make a change with Manchester United next Saturday.

“We want to come in the next round of the Cup for sure and that’s the reason I take the best possible team for Tuesday.”

Sofiane Boufal seems to be the flavour of the moment after 10 mins at Brighton saw him make the second goal at the Amex and he will hope to be given a chance to start after his return from a season long loan spell at Celta Vigo.

However, Hasenhuttl isn’t sure he is ready to play 90 minutes

“Maybe. Let’s have a look,”

“I think to play from the beginning is a little bit different because you must be very concentrated also against the ball and if he has this for 90 minutes I don’t know."

“When I know I have such a good player from the bench as a substitute then that’s a problem — if you are too good as a substitute the manager thinks ‘I can bring him in later.’”

“If you want to win this cup then you must win against every opponent you get. No problem. We go there and do everything.”


Photo: Action Images



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underweststand added 15:12 - Aug 27
I think that "someone" has had a serious word with Ralph and explained that teams like Saints ....and most of the bottom half of the Prem. have little/no chance of European football UNLESS they win one of the Cups.

This is something that Pochettino openly avoided and threw away two cup games against a very poor Sunderland outfit. Koeman got us into Europe as a top six finish but didn't show any real interest in the cup competitions. Puel got us to a Final more by luck than judgement - as did Pellogrino to an extent.
Hughes knows all about Cup competitons, but that didn't help in the end.

and so Ralph...this is it ...Win a Cup....and as long as we clear 40 points in the Prem. the fans will love you and you'll get the freedom of the City.
Europe may be on the distant horizon... but for now....a bit of Cup glory would satisfy 98% of the fans for sure.







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