The international break can sometimes pose as time-off for Premier League players, but for Ralph Hasenhuttl, the Southampton manager has used the free period to solve some major problems for the club.
The Saints hosted a behind closed doors friendly against Brentford as reported by The Southern Daily Echo, with goals from Danny Ings, Che Adams, Jannik Vestergaard and Shane Long sealing a 4-0 win for Southampton ahead of what is likely going to be a crucial run of fixtures for the south coast side.
Will Hasenhuttl turn Southampton's fortunes around?
Yes
No
With Southampton currently sitting 19th in the Premier League table, every point between now and the opening of the January transfer window will be crucial, and a 4-0 win against a Championship side away from the public is exactly what Hasenhuttl’s side are in need of and could be a turning point for their fortunes this season.
Indeed, the first game after the November international break will be a trip to Arsenal, a side that have shown on numerous occasions this season to be a team that cannot keep hold of a lead at home as seen in fixtures against Crystal Palace and Wolves. Southampton will have some confidence about this game given the fact that they managed a 3-2 win over the Gunners last year, as well.
And this 4-0 win with a good chunk of first-team players competing and scoring will be the perfect confidence booster Southampton will need.
With only three points standing between them and Premier League safety, Hasenhuttl will be hoping this win behind closed doors will be the perfect pick-me-up Southampton need to get their heads on straight as they head into this incredibly important part of the season.
The Saints players will know in the back of their minds that they need to start getting wins after picking up just two so far this campaign, and this win against Brentford could be the result they need for their mentality to shift in the right direction.
