Southampton: Mark Hughes calls for intensity as international break concludes

Southampton manager Mark Hughes has called for his Saints side to bring the level of energy seen before the international break when the Premier League returns this weekend.

The south coast outfit went into the fortnight off having won two games in succession following a poor start to the campaign, beating Brighton in the Carabao Cup before getting that so-desired first Premier League win against Crystal Palace just days later.

This week they’ll be forced to wait until Monday for to see if their run of form can continue, when they face the Seagulls again, this time in the league.

Southampton have shown glimpses of real potential in just about every competitive game they’ve played this campaign, but ultimately their energy levels have been much better in the past couple of matches which has correlated with finally getting wins.

So, as the Saints return from the first international break of the season, Hughes has spoken to the Daily Echo to reaffirm who important this level of intensity is.

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"“We have set a standard now that we can’t slip below. I would like to think as the season progresses we will keep on progressing and enhancing those levels we are hitting at the moment.”"

Following the Monday night fixture against Brighton, Southampton face their first member of the ‘big six’ in rivals Liverpool the following weekend – going into that match with more confidence will be vital as the Reds have looked near-unstoppable so far this campaign.

Following the trip to Anfield, the Saints play three times in eight days as they face Wolves and Chelsea with a game against Everton in the Carabao Cup slotted in between.

If Southampton don’t bring the intensity levels we have seen in the past couple of games to that busy period, they could easily fall off the rails and come away with nothing from all three matches.

Hughes faces a tough task to keep his side rallied up for the next month or so of football, and it could all hinge on a good performance this Monday.