Former Southampton attacker Nicky Banger has stated that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side might have to resort to playing ugly if it means killing games off and regaining the club’s form.
In an interview with The Southern Daily Echo, the now 48-year-old striker, who scored a hat-trick on his Saints debut, gave his thoughts on the club’s woes this season which have seen Southampton concede the most goals out of any side in the Premier League this campaign as well currently sit 19th in the English top-flight.
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A 9-0 defeat to Leicester City has been the notable low-point for Southampton this campaign, and Banger believes that the club have what it takes to regain their confidence and form on the pitch if they start building from the back and working on the defence.
Banger said: “Saints must work very hard as a team and start keeping clean sheets. This will build the foundations to get results and build confidence. You don’t have to win a match in the first 10 minutes, but you can certainly lose it.”
The former Southampton striker added with: “While emotions run high during the match, decision making is very important at key stages of the game – especially before half time and full time. Saints must learn to kill games off even if it means playing ugly.”
The Saints have managed just two wins in the Premier League this season as well as achieving two clean sheets after 12 games in the league, and with the final international break of the season out of the way, Southampton should be eager to act upon Banger’s words of encouragement.
A loss against Arsenal this weekend could seemingly see Southampton slip further away from safety in the division, and keeping clean sheets in every game possible must be what Hasenhuttl is aiming for his side to do heading into the festive period of the season.
