Name v Name SAINTS ON A LOSER IN SEARCH FOR STARS
RALPH HASENHUTTL admits Southampton never land their No.1 targets in the transfer window.
But ahead of tonight’s clash with Burnley, the Saints boss believes a higher class of signing will suddenly become available to him before it slams shut. Hasenhuttl this week guaranteed fans at least two more new faces – with Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Everton’s Tom Davies both loan targets. Hasenhuttl (above) said: “We never get the No.1 targets. I can tell you a few No.1 targets but it’s not serious.
“In our shop, where we have to look, we can only select players where there is any chance.
“If there is a chance, then very often it is only a short slot where we can get them because as soon as other clubs are coming to the table it is very difficult for us.
“But this is nothing new. It doesn’t make it easier for us. We might have to find some jewels that no-one else is looking at.
“Anyway, I’m sure that in the last two weeks of the window we will have a chance of getting some players we normally don’t get. We have to wait for the right moment.”
Saints have changed tack after missing out on the likes of Weston McKennie, who left Schalke to join Juventus.
Hasenhuttl has backed Che Adams not to repeat his struggles in front of goal this season.
Adams went scoreless for 30 games last season before hitting his first for Saints in July – a spectacular strike in the surprise 1-0 win over Manchester City.
A £15million signing from Birmingham in the summer of 2019, Adams went on to score three more before the end of the campaign.
But the 24-year-old has gone three games without a goal to start this season, putting the pressure back on star man Danny Ings.
Hasenhuttl said: “There’s no reason not to trust him. I’m very confident because I see how he’s working every day to get better.
“Yes, you can’t always speak about bad luck in such moments. Some big saves. But in some moments he took a bit too long to finish it or didn’t take the right decision.
“Hopefully he scores as soon as possible.”