Hasenhüttl: We need a top performance

Saints have faced Spurs on five occasions since the Austrian’s arrival, including four times last season. All five matches have been close encounters, with an aggregate score of 7-7.

The boss cited organisation, commitment and concentration as essential ingredients if his side are to make life uncomfortable for José Mourinho’s men again.

“It’s a big challenge, as always,” he said. “Last season we had four very intense games – spectacular games – and I expect the same at the weekend.

“We need an absolutely top performance to compete with them. They have massive individual quality, so we have to be the better organised team, which is not so easy.

“We have to find the right balance and commitment to work as a team, then maybe we have a chance.

“We need to be very concentrated and committed in our defending, because we know about the quality with Son, with Kane, with Moura.”

It’s been a difficult start to the new campaign for Saints, and Hasenhüttl is eager to see his team get their first win on the board.

“If it’s at St Mary’s or away, it doesn’t matter, but as soon as possible would help,” he added. “A better start than last season takes a bit of the pressure off.

“We’ve lost two games but I think the games have showed what we are missing.

“Not everything was bad – we had massive chances that we didn’t score in both games. I would be more worried if we were not getting the chances and giving more chances away.”