Hasenhuttl has received a boost ahead of the European qualification spot clash with Leicester City as keeper Alex McCarthy joins in training.
Alex McCarthy back
Southampton have received a huge boost ahead of the European qualification spot clash with Leicester City on Saturday after it was confirmed that goalkeeper Alex McCarthy had returned to training following a period of self isolation.
Southampton have been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as he prepares for Saturday’s clash with Leicester City.https://t.co/NYggGX1I8p#SaintsFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 13, 2021
McCarthy has been one of the best keepers in the league this season managing to keep 7 clean sheets. Whilst the England international was isolating, Ralph Hasenhuttl was forced into choosing Fraser Forster for the match against Liverpool. However, the former Celtic man had an excellent display and kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win over the champions.
Speaking after the match, the Austrian coach spoke of his happiness at having such a fantastic backup selection available.
“It shows how good the guys are working with the goalkeeper coach and how strong they have developed every part of their game so far,” said Hasenhuttl.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Fraser Forster of Southampton gives his eam instructions during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary’s Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“I think this is a good signal for us that we immediately have a ‘number one B’ that steps in and plays a fantastic game. A clean sheet against Liverpool in the first game, this is fantastic for us.”
It will be intriguing to see which keeper Hasenhuttl does choose to go for but based upon his comments calling Forster a plan ‘B’, if McCarthy is fit it is likely he will start.
Defensive security
Southampton currently have the joint 4th best defensive record in the Premier League and one which is better than all of the top 4 clubs this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl has been able to instil an aura of confidence, solidity and and determination which has allowed his side to become one of the contenders for a European spot.
The former RB Leipzig coach spoke of the importance of maintaining possession and keeping the opponent moving in order to tire them out and make opportunities for them less clinical.
“Absolutely,” he said when asked about the importance of the defensive record. “I was always very, very angry about our not consistent defending because we are definitely one of the better organised teams in this league and still concede so many goals.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Che Adams of Southampton celebrates with teammates Jannik Vestergaard, Danny Ings and Theo Walcott after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary’s Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Southampton, England. A limited number of spectators (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“As strange as it sounds, the way we try to play with the ball now is our fundament of not conceding so many goals, because we have more possession.
“The opponent has to run more to get the ball back. That also kills you and makes you a little bit more tired, so you are not so clinical when you have a chance. That makes it easier to defend for us. The whole package is a more successful one.”
The match against Leicester City at the weekend will be another test with the likes of Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes all looking to break the stubborn Saints back line.
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Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester United FC | 17 | 10 | 36 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 17 | 16 | 33 |
| 3 | Leicester City FC | 17 | 10 | 32 |
| 4 | Everton FC | 17 | 7 | 32 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 16 | 14 | 29 |
| 6 | Manchester City FC | 15 | 11 | 29 |
| 7 | Southampton FC | 17 | 7 | 29 |
| 8 | Aston Villa FC | 15 | 13 | 26 |
| 9 | Chelsea FC | 17 | 11 | 26 |
| 10 | West Ham United FC | 17 | 3 | 26 |
| 11 | Arsenal FC | 17 | 1 | 23 |
| 12 | Leeds United | 17 | -3 | 23 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace FC | 17 | -7 | 22 |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 18 | -7 | 22 |
| 15 | Newcastle United FC | 17 | -9 | 19 |
| 16 | Burnley FC | 16 | -12 | 16 |
| 17 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 17 | -7 | 14 |
| 18 | Fulham FC | 15 | -10 | 11 |
| 19 | West Bromwich Albion | 17 | -28 | 8 |
| 20 | Sheffield United FC | 18 | -20 | 5 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 12 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 11 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 11 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 11 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 11 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 10 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace FC | 8 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United FC | 8 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 7 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 6 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa FC | 6 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 6 |
| Abraham, Tammy | Chelsea FC | 6 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 5 |
| Firmino, Roberto | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City FC | 5 |
| Soucek, Tomas | West Ham United FC | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellerin, Hector | Arsenal FC | 0 | 6 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 5 |
| Hayden, Isaac | Newcastle United FC | 0 | 6 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Dunk, Lewis | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 4 |
| Phillips, Kalvin | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Cash, Matty | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Gallagher, Conor | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 5 |
| Evans, Jonny | Leicester City FC | 0 | 5 |
| Kante, N`Golo | Chelsea FC | 0 | 5 |
| Milivojevic, Luka | Crystal Palace FC | 1 | 4 |
| Egan, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 4 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 0 | 4 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 4 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 0 | 4 |
| Klich, Mateusz | Leeds United | 0 | 4 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 4 |
| Reid, Bobby | Fulham FC | 0 | 4 |
| Tielemans, Youri | Leicester City FC | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 11 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City FC | 8 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 7 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 5 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 5 |
| Robertson, Andrew | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Digne, Lucas | Everton FC | 5 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 4 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Werner, Timo | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Adams, Che | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Harrison, Jack | Leeds United | 4 |
| Chilwell, Benjamin | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 4 |
| Cresswell, Aaron | West Ham United FC | 4 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 3 |
| Firmino, Roberto | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 3 |
Source: 101greatgoals.com
