Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has held his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. Take a look through what he had to say...
On Unbeaten Run...
“I think in the last weeks we have made some good progress in our game. To be honest it’s good to watch how the guys are playing at the moment.
“We’ve had really tough games such as Everton, Villa which was tough as they are a very good side. We showed we can compete with these teams which is an important message for us.
“Still it’s not getting easier to win fixtures in the future and it’ll get more difficult because opponents will analyse us and find solutions in how to play against us which means we have to get better and this is the goal we have.”
On Team News...
“Theo (Walcott) is okay but has a little bit of pain but is okay for the weekend. Danny (Ings) is back in individual training on the pitch so I think it can be option for Brighton game but this weekend it’s not. As we said it was only a light surgery and he looks good.
“(Nathan Redmond) has an issue with his hamstring, not a big one but will take another seven or eight days. It was not that bad an injury but it’s there so we have to pay attention.”
ralph hasenhüttl
we need to find solutions to hurt them...we need a slight chance, see it and grab it.
manager
On Man Utd...
“They are a good team, every team that has such quality when they play together is tough to win against.
“I think especially now preparing for every game is about finding solutions and not being scared about their quality.
“We need to find solutions to hurt them and create a few issues. If we do it together and well, it is possible and this what we need. We need a slight chance, see it and grab it with both hands.
“Every home win is special and especially against a top six side which are always interesting games. We have had an okay run against top six sides recently and it wasn’t long ago that we took a point from them.
“So there’s always a chance and we need these games against good teams to get better and see what needs to be improved.”
“We stop them together with a committed performance, we have shown these performances and this Sunday we need to.
“When you see them playing in the Premier League, they show good commitment with good quality in front which can hurt you.”
On fans returning to St Mary’s...
“Fantastic that we get the chance to bring back fans if only a few thousand, it’s important to give them a signal and it’s a massive statement.
“I think it’s impossible to bring more in but in the moment I’ll be happy with 2,000 and when more will come, we’ll be happy to have them back.”
On Centre Back Partnership...
“Jannik (Vestergaard) was always with the ball one of the best centre backs because he has a fantastic deep ball and also has the calmness to wait for this pass.
“I think especially the way he defends has improved but can always get better. We are always critical with him and this is the only way to get better. Don’t think you are ever at the end of your development because he is still young.
“The same can be said about Jan Bednarek as when you see him with the ball, his development in situations when he is under pressure.
“This is amazing for me and this is the biggest development I have seen in the team so far. We are also demanding this and more risks with more options to find exits when he needs it.
On December Schedule...
“I mean I have never moaned about any fixtures but we are different as we are out of League Cup, no international travel so its harder for the top six.
“Over the last season when there have been more games together is where we have been successful. We are a fit team, we hopefully won’t struggle with lots of games with a good balanced squad that’s not too big and not too small.
“The fixtures we are happy but sometimes I don’t understand when there are only 48 hours between games as this is tough.
“We had it and still performed well but it’s not good as the quality of game suffers as players can’t push. We don’t have this over Christmas so this is okay for me. We take it as it is.”
On approach to games when winning on losing...
“If you ask me what’s more fun, I can’t tell you that it’s fun now rather than when you are struggling. It’s a challenge.
“It’s obviously more enjoyable when you win and when we are playing like we are at the moment but you as a manager are more necessary when it’s not working as they look at you more and are there to find solutions which is different to now.
“They still look to you and listen but we now speak at a different level about small details we can improve as our bigger game is going well.
"As a manager you need both situations to get better so I cannot say it’s more fun than what it was two years ago.”
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