It might only be a little more than three weeks ago that Southampton and Tottenham faced each other at St Mary's, but Ralph Hasenhüttl is expecting a different game – albeit an equally challenging one – when the sides go head-to-head in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The fourth-round tie comes shortly after the New Year's Day meeting in the Premier League, which Saints won 1-0 thanks to a Danny Ings strike.
ralph hasenhüttl
we expect the best possible squad that is playing against us, so we have to have the best possible performance.
southampton manager
The impressive form of Hasenhüttl's men has continued since then, with wins at Leicester and Crystal Palace in the interim, as well as a victory over Huddersfield in the previous round of the cup, and the Saints boss explained that there is plenty of confidence heading into this weekend.
"We have taken a big win [at Crystal Palace on Tuesday] and we can enjoy playing in the FA Cup, against a strong side, and we're looking forward to it," said Hasenhüttl.
"I think in every part of our game we see the team is doing better. There are still things to improve, but also if we make mistakes we stick to the game-plan, we believe in what we are doing and, with the ball, it was one of the best games of our season.
"It's good that we have another home game now, against a strong side. Tottenham are a very good team. We know we played them not long ago on our ground, but it will be a different game.
"It will be a tough one for us, but if we show our qualities we have developed in the last few weeks then we have a chance to get into the next round."
Unlike in the last meeting, Spurs will be without Harry Kane this time around, with the striker still out following the injury he sustained at St Mary's, but they will have Son Heung-min available, after he missed out through suspension that day.
"These teams, they are full of high quality players," said Hasenhüttl. "Son is coming back, who wasn't playing in the last game against us.
"We expect the best possible squad that is playing against us, and so we have to have the best possible performance, and if we do this then we have a chance to win."
Hasenhüttl has indicated he will be fielding a strong team too, although injuries will necessitate some changes from the side that won at Palace in midweek.
"We managed Ingsy out on Tuesday," he said. "That helps to give him 90 minutes now at the weekend.
"We have a few injuries, with Jannik, Shane Long and Cédric out for this game, so we will have a few changes. But the squad is big enough, we have alternatives, we can use them and they are happy to play."
Share this: