FIGHT NIGHT
Ralph’s pledge to furious fans
RALPH HASENHUTTL has promised angry Southampton fans his side will come out fighting at champions Manchester City tonight.
Many fans demanded the Saints boss quit after Friday’s 9-0 home thrashing by Leicester – though the Austrian has been assured by the club’s Chinese owners his job is safe.
Asked about fans calling for his head, Hasenhuttl said: “I can understand that. I am 100 per cent responsible for what happens on the pitch. In their position I would do the same.
“But there is no more talking from us – the time for that is over.
“Our only focus, our entire energy, is working towards Manchester City. It is what we owe our fans.
“Sometimes such a result can also be a chance to see some things a little bit clearer.
“We’ll take time to understand what happened and on Tuesday is our next game.”
Saints players and staff all donated a day’s wages, adding up to £230,000, to charity to apologise for the Leicester debacle.
But it could get worse before it gets better for Saints, who visit City twice in five days, first in the Carabao Cup and then the Premier League. “For everybody Friday was very disappointing,’’ added Hasenhuttl.
“It is crazy to say this now but we invested a lot in training and we had a good feeling for that game.
“I have never had an experience like this in my entire career. It was a surprise for me.”
The Foxes’ win at St Mary’s was the biggest by an away side in the history of the English top flight.
But like his boss, Saints captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg says it is time to let their football do the talking. Denmark midfielder Hojbjerg said: “Friday was more than unacceptable – it was embarrassing. “I have to take responsibility and show my face. If there is one saying, it’s, ‘Tough periods make tough people’.
“Now I want to show by action. We never want to be in this position again or anywhere near it.” Calamity keeper Angus Gunn and defender Jannik Vestergaard are among those set to be axed by Hasenhuttl tonight. Meanwhile, the club have also stepped up their chase for a director of football to assist Hasenhuttl after Ross Wilson quit to join Rangers earlier this month.