RALPH TAKES NO * S#@
Hasenhuttl not busting to join legend Bates
RALPH HASENHUTTL has been advised by friends never to have a statue – no matter how much success he brings to Southampton.
“The pigeons will just keep pooping on it,” they told him.
Southampton face Leicester on Sunday in the FA Cup semifinal 45 years after their only success in the competition, when they beat Manchester United 1-0 to lift the trophy in 1976.
Recent petitions have been raised to get a statue of Lawrie Mcmenemy, boss that day, erected next to the bronze figure of club legend Ted Bates, which welcomes fans as they arrive at St Mary’s Stadium.
But it is not something that Hasenhuttl has in mind for him right now.
“A good friend of mine said one time that you don’t want to have a statue because all the birds would just s*** on your head,” he joked.
“That is why I am not focused on a statue!
“I want to make history at this club. This is something I cannot deny, that drives everybody in this club. We are just a short way away from having a big chance to win something big.
“But our first focus is
West
Brom.” Southampton travel to The Hawthorns determined to nip in the bud Albion’s hopes of a miracle escape after they beat Chelsea 5-2.
And it is not just semi-final places up for grabs in Hasenhuttl’s side.
He said: “Three points in the Premier League. This is enough for us to be motivated and for the players to give everything.
“You can be sure that the FA Cup is still far away in the mind of the guys.
“They know that a striker, for example, could save himself for a big game there. But if you don’t play well, there is a big chance that you won’t then play the game with Leicester.
“It is definitely helpful if you have a good performance there and take three points.
“It definitely helps you for the semi-final that is to come after this game.
“We were very driven, focused and motivated for getting wins.
“I am totally sure there is nobody around here who won’t be taking this game seriously enough because we are playing second bottom of the league.”