Hasenhuttl admits he couldn’t have predicted Southampton form

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted he couldn’t have predicted their form this season.

The Saints sit third in the Premier League table after picking up 24 points from their first 13 matches.

They’ve been impressive throughout the campaign so far, picking up points against Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal.

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Austrian manager Hasenhuttl has now responded to their league position, saying it would be ‘stupid’ to suggest their form before the season started.

He said: “We are not where we expected to be in the table. If you want to take this as a statement of how good we have worked, then yes we will take it.

“The general quality we have is now a higher one.

“As long as we bring this on the pitch, when you show this in the game, we have a bigger chance of winning games.

“If you had told me before the season that on the 13th match day, we would be four points ahead of Man City – okay, they have played one game less – I would say you are not really right, (you are) stupid.

“But we are at the moment, so we have done a few things right.

“Now we have to look to be again a good opponent and a competitive opponent.”

Their next match is against Man City tomorrow at 15:00. The match should be an interesting one, pitting an in-form Saints team against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Speaking about the fixture, Hasenhuttl continued: “We play against a fantastic team.

“There are different ways to play against such teams, but in the end you get a result by investing more than the opponent.

“We are now a better team, so I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t have a chance to get something – but definitely you need a fantastic game and a fantastic day.

“We have played a few games now (this season) and the team is very committed, very well organised.

“Tactically we are on a different level now and it will be hopefully a good challenge for us.”