Ralph Hasenhuttl ‘not scared’ by Southampton’s lack of goals
Saints have managed just nine goals in 10 Premier League matches
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has no concerns about his side’s goalscoring capabilities despite a slow start to the season.
Saints have managed just nine goals in 10 Premier League matches and have scored more than once on only two occasions.
However, the return of leading scorer Armando Broja for the game with Aston Villa currently on a four-match losing streak, and Che Adams’ two goals in as many matches is a boost for Hasenhuttl.
“Absolutely not. Maybe we had this season not the game with four or five goals like we had last season,” he said when asked whether he was concerned.
“Broja and Adam Armstrong are new and it takes a bit of time. Che Adams is in his third year in the Premier League, Nathan Tella is young and also new and we have only one experienced player in Longy (Shane Long).
“I am not scared we cannot score goals. We get better and better and I think the game will come where we will score more than one goal because in the last game (a 1-0 victory over Watford) we had a lot of chances.
“More important to me is clean sheets because then we only need one goal to win.”
Adams’ first goals of the season have provided a welcome confidence boost to the striker.
The Scotland international’s place may be under pressure after Broja’s return to fitness but Hasenhuttl is pleased the former Birmingham player stepped up when required.
“Not only him, it is always helpful for anyone when they score goals and decide games,” added Hasenhuttl on the confidence boost Adams will have received from his goals.
“This is, for a striker, important but for every other player it can be important.
“It was important for him after not playing, because Broja was in the first XI, to show up immediately and he did it and this is a good reaction I must say.”
Captain James Ward-Prowse was a target for Villa in the summer but with a transfer not materialising the midfielder signed a new contract and Hasenhuttl said the subject had not been discussed since.
“Not any more since the summer, since he signed his contract, when it was a topic until that moment,” he said
“But it has definitely gone from that moment so there is nothing to discuss about this any more. Prowsey is our captain and that’s it.”