Southampton 0-2 Brentford: Carabao Cup – Three Key Takeaways

Southampton Fans Are Fickle

I’m talking to you, yes you…

The hopefulness of a successful campaign has dwindled in two games.  TWO GAMES.  Southampton fans wear the successes and failures of the red whites on their crest, right above their heart, and that is a testament to the great base of supporters. Yet we don’t realize, the extreme fluctuations of elation to despair are reciprocal emotions, determining the product of play we witness week to week.

The honest, yet harsh ramblings of our manager in the Brentford presser have discouraged many.  An unfit and lacking depth professional side will not contend for Europe, crushing fans hopes for the season.  However, what we need to recognize is this experience is in the moment.  Players reach peak fitness, physically, mentally, and tactically for about 6 weeks a season.  Unless you are Cristiano Ronaldo.  There is plenty of hope to turn this around.

Our club was collectively at the summit of Mt. Everest during project restart.  Follow this period with a Holiday break, a shortened preseason, a pandemic, and International duty and it makes sense that the squad is not ready.  In between the lines of Hasenhuttl’s talk was an analysis of the team in the present.  Ralph lives deeply in the moment and is brutally honest in where his team stands.  Many managers would not give you what he gave following the Brentford match.  It is an honorable trait which affects fans, but the message is intended for his club, players, and a response to his perceived professional duties.

Ralph wants to give you hope, believes in his team and players, but like any good manager, wants more like his fans.  Give this season some patience, one win and the players will remember what it feels like, and Tottenham and Pierre are just a couple days away.