Irish Daily Mirror

BEER WE GO , BEER WE GO, BEER WE GO!

- BY ALEX CROOK

RALPH HASENHUTTL wants to turn the jeers to beers by buying Southampto­n fans a pint before tomorrow’s clash with Arsenal.

The new Saints boss has sent a free-drink voucher to all 19,000 season ticket holders as part of a letter asking them to support a brave new era on the South Coast.

His side have been booed off during recent home games after winning just ONE Premier League game at St Mary’s in 13 months.

Hasenhuttl said: “I’m a guy who always brings everyone to roll with us and it is very important to have a good relationsh­ip with the fans. You have to build up your credit.

“It is like an account, if you always take money it is off and now we have to put money in the account.

“You can feel every day that Southampto­n is a very important part of everyone’s life in this area and everyone wants to keep this club in this division.

“It’s a big chance to help and get lucky again. We want to make it possible to have fantastic moments again and emotional moments.

“If the fans can celebrate with a win on Sunday they should do it and I’m the first to congratula­te them.”

In his letter, Hasenhuttl also promised to “push the players to their limits”.

The hardline Austrian scrapped a day off following last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Cardiff in his first game in charge.

Hasenhuttl added: “We cancelled the day off and met to speak about things we want to change.

“That was very important for us. The players appreciate that and we spent this time really well to perform better in the future.

“It was necessary to know what we are facing. There are a few steps to go and when you play against the big teams like this weekend we have to do it very well.

“We saw an intention from every player to work hard, follow us and they are very interested in all this stuff.

“We all should feel the same commitment about the team working together. When they do so that is the first big step direction.

“They should invest everything they have to bring a good result.

“This week I have had 12 players sitting on my couch for one-to-one speeches with me.

“By the end of next week, I will speak to every player eye-to-eye. I want to know all about them, their history and what we ask from them.

“It is very necessary to know every player. It was a good investment from our side and I think they appreciate­d that.

“In the future if they have questions I want them to come to me. We can have good arguments.” in the right

 ??  ?? TOAST OF THE COAST Hasenhuttl wants to give Saints fans a reason to celebrate, like he did (above, right) when taking Ingolstadt to promotion in 2015
TOAST OF THE COAST Hasenhuttl wants to give Saints fans a reason to celebrate, like he did (above, right) when taking Ingolstadt to promotion in 2015

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