Southampton: Hasenhuttl reacts to ‘step forward’ against Wolves

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl described his side’s 1-1 draw with Wolves on Saturday as a ‘step forward’.

After a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League, a positive result was needed from the trip to Molineux at the weekend and Saints duly came away with a good point.

Danny Ings opened the scoring with a coolly taken goal in the 53rd minute, but Wolves replied when Raul Jimenez netted from the penalty spot.

Speaking to southamptonfc.com after the game, Hasenhuttl said:

"“I think we showed a much better performance and that’s why we deserved a point today. It was a step forward.  When you see the whole game I think they also had a few chances, two goals that were ruled out by VAR. A good organised performance from my team. We had chances also for a second goal, but finally we take this point. It’s an important one for us. We go on from here.”"

With an upcoming run of fixtures that looks very tough on paper, a point against a strong Wolves side will have provided a boost for the Austrian and his players.

This Friday they host Leicester City – currently sitting pretty in third – whilst clashes with Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal will all be played out before December.

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Interestingly though, Hasenhuttl returned to the 3-4-2-1 system that he used during the second half of last season against Wolves and it seemed to work well.

The defence seems more confident and provides less gaps for the opposition when a back three is used, whilst sacrificing a forward for this didn’t seem to affect their ability to create.

With a striker who is in the form that Danny Ings is currently, the real aim needs to be to provide him with more and more chances.

With five goals in his last four games in all competitions, he is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League right now and is showing what he can provide the team at full fitness.

It may well be that this more rigid system is preferred against the high quality opponents that Saints face up until the end of November, or Hasenhuttl may choose to be solid away from home but open up when his side are looking to put on a show for their home crowd.

Whatever their manager chooses to do, they will hope to take the team display they showed at Molineux into Friday’s game where another positive result could get them on a real run.