Southampton made the trip to Pride Park to face Frank Lampard’s Derby County side earlier today as they welcomed us to their ground for the third round FA Cup clash.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl had admitted pre-game that he would be rotating the pack to give other players an opportunity to impress, and give some a small rest, as he focuses in on our Premier League campaign and the match will undoubtedly help him formulate his plans for the January transfer window.
A Cup run would certainly be welcomed by fans as an enjoyable distraction, but it also represents our new gaffer with an opportunity to really take some of the immediate pressure off and get some additional confidence into the group that we can then carry forward.
With him also admitting he was going in search of a victory as he knows the importance of the domestic Cups to fans, the lineup shouldn’t be that surprising really.
🚨 The teams are in 🚨
Here's the #SaintsFC line-up for the #EmiratesFACup third-round tie with #DCFC: pic.twitter.com/PPNItD10HE
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 5, 2019
Frank Lampard starts three academy graduates this afternoon… 🙌
This is how #DCFC line up to face Southampton in the Third Round of the FA Cup! 🐏#DCFCvSFC pic.twitter.com/lQuAgpCDpk
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 5, 2019