All Saints
HASENHUTTL: SUPPORT OF LE TIS AND FRANNY HAS BEEN MASSIVE
RALPH HASENHUTTL revealed he sent a thank you message to Southampton legends Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali.
The pair of Saints ambassadors have been vocal in their support for the under-fire Austrian amid the club’s alarming on-going slump in form and results.
Just four points from the last 33 available, a run that includes NINE defeats, means Southampton are far too close to the relegation places for comfort.
But while pundits and punters alike are questioning Hasenhuttl’s ability to stop the rot, Le Tissier (below) and Benali have given the coach their full backing.
Le Tiss is considered Southampton’s greatest player after scoring 212 goals in 465 appearances between 1986 and 2002, while former defender Benali is not far behind in the eyes of many St Mary fans.
Understandable, then, Hasenhuttl is extremely grateful for a timely show of faith in him from two such hugely-influential figures at the South Coast club.
Ahead of today’s vital home clash against Brighton, the Saints supremo said: “Thanks very much to them.
“They did a massive job for this club and you always feel that this club means something special to them.
“Maybe they have the feeling that this club also means something special to me – and I can only agree.
“I know about the toughness of this job. I know about the problems we’ve had sometimes. But I also know that if we over-perform we can have some good wins.
“As I say, sometimes it’s more fun to be the pirate than to join the navy. This is how I like to be.”
That approach, though, will not wash with the Southampton faithful should the current dip continue much longer.
After their 5-2 midweek thumping at Manchester City, Hasenhuttl’s FA Cup quarter-finalists need to return to winning ways soon – to avoid a nightmare survival scrap.
The defeat by Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect has led to suggestions the Saints are close to complete burnout.
Hasenhuttl, though, has rubbished that talk. He insists his one-time Premier League leaders, with several injured players close to fitness, can finish the campaign strongly
Asked if he is concerned about the fatigue factor, the ex-RB Leipzig coach added: “No, because we are getting players back now.
“That gives me more alternatives with my game plans – and that will help us, in terms of winning more games.”
KEITH HILL had a wellknown pizza takeaway named in his honour in Birkenhead this weekend.
But all the Tranmere manager wants is for Football League clubs to continue to enjoy a slice of the action.
Hill will lead out his side against Sunderland in the Papa John’s Trophy at Wembley today.
And on the Wirral, Papa John’s has become Papa Keith’s to celebrate that achievement.
But while the League Two side battle it out for silverware, Hill believes it is crucial clubs like Tranmere still get the chance to pit themselves against the big boys in other cup competitions.
A wish which could be under threat in an era dominated by clubs with budgets that Rovers can only dream of.
Hill said: “I think there should be a connection throughout the leagues and I don’t believe in any type of snobbery.
“I don’t believe the bigger clubs have the right to dictate what happens in football.
“We should have a fair and equal chance of playing the
bigger clubs in the Premier League in a cup competition – we should have a fair opportunity to pit our wits against them.
“This is a pyramid that’s unique to the world of football and we want that to remain.”
Those Tranmere supporters tucking into their Papa Keith’s while watching this afternoon’s clash with Sunderland would doubtless agree with him.
Particularly those who remember Tranmere’s cup adventures from days gone by.
The Super Whites reached the final of the League Cup in 2000 and also got to the semi-final of the competition in 1993-94.
Victory over Sunderland today, though, would represent their first trophy success since they won the Leyland DAF Cup against Bristol Rovers 31 years ago.
For a club that only regained their League status in 2018, it would also be a clear indication of their ability to bounce back from adversity.
And it would further endear 51-year-old Hill to the Prenton Park faithful.
“I don’t try to hide who I am,” he added.
“I’m just a working-class person with a great family, great family values and I want to show people who I am and the personality I have.
“It doesn’t suit everybody but I have no fear of showing the people in Birkenhead what I represent.”
With 17 wins in his first 26 matches in charge, Hill has already won a place in their hearts.
A win over Sunderland would only cement that further.
He said: “That’s the one shame in all this – that we won’t have anyone in the ground to watch us.
“But they’ll be watching at home, don’t you worry about that.”
Papa Keith’s can expect a busy afternoon.