Saints boss Hasenhuttl vows to weather storm

SOUTHAMPTON manager Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted he would prepare the team for next weekend’s match against West Ham as usual despite mounting questions on his future following a fourth straight defeat.

The Austrian was defiant after watching his side lose 4-0 at champions Manchester City and plans to work with his players from today for next Sunday’s crunch home game against the Hammers, by which time they could be in the bottom three.

‘After this game, I have no clarity. The clarity is I come in on Sunday and we must analyse this game very well,’ he said.

‘Next week, we have a tough home game against West Ham. We have to prepare for three games in seven days, it is intense.

‘I’ve never thought about worrying for my future. I’ve never had such questions in my 16 years as a manager. I don’t lose any energy thinking about that.

‘The only thing I think about is helping my team.’

After three home league hattricks in a row, Erling Haaland had to settle for one goal against Saints and there were gasps when he hit the post instead of scoring when put through by Phil Foden.

‘The expectations are so high people expect he can score three or four goals,’ explained City boss Pep Guardiola. ‘I think Erling played really good today.’