Hasenhuttl adds touch of glass
RALPH HASENHUTTL aims to turn jeers to beers by buying Southampton fans a drink before they face Arsenal tomorrow.
New boss Hasenhuttl has sent a free-drink voucher to all season-ticket holders to try to raise morale after a dismal run of one home win in 13 months.
“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,” said Hasenhuttl.
“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.” Hasenhuttl sent the drink vouchers along with a handsigned letter promising to “push the players their limits”.
The hard-line Austrian scrapped a day off following last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Cardiff in his first game in charge. Hasenhuttl said: “We cancelled the day off and met to speak about things we want to change. That was very important for us. The players to appreciate that and we spent this time really well to perform better in the future.
“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.
“At the beginning there were five players not really sharp enough during the week. Then three players or two and then today one.
“I hope for the weekend we have every player in the right direction and when he doesn’t I tell him immediately.
“This week I have had 12 players sitting on my couch for oneto-one talks 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.”