It’s time to Man up and hit the net raps Hughes
MARK HUGHES has told Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini to stop whingeing and start scoring. Gabbiadini has moaned about a lack of playing time after starting just one Premier League game this season.
But ahead of tomorrow’s clash with south coast neighbours Bournemouth, Saints boss Hughes said: “Gabbi actually played the last game, so he can’t complain too much.
“It is what it is. We have got 25 fit guys at the moment, so I cannot play everybody. Clearly, if we are not getting results, you have to look at the potential on your bench or in the squad.
“If players have had an opportunity and not taken it, then we would look to change things around. That is what I have done in recent games – named different benches with different options and different starting line-ups as well. “Everybody is getting a chance and it is up to them to take it.” Gabbiadini made a stunning start to his Southampton career following a
£14m move from Napoli in January
2017, scoring six goals in his first four matches.
The strike which kept Saints in the Premier League at Swansea last season is his only goal in his last 14 appearances, though.
Hughes added: “We see Gabbi every single day in training and he does things that are as good as anything from any of the other strikers in terms of their capability.
“But in certain games it has been difficult for him to get a foothold in the game or have an influence.
“I have to judge him on a daily basis and we are talking about the here and now.
“I cannot put a team out on the basis of what he did 18 months ago.
“He is a great professional, trains well every day and I think that he is one of those streaky strikers so once he gets one, two goals, then he will go on a run.”