RALPH Hasenhuttl insisted Saints’ slump in form towards the end of the campaign provided a “clear reality check for everybody”.
The St Mary’s side were left to contemplate a 15th-placed Premier League finish, having been top of the Premier League when they beat Newcastle back in November.
A 43-point haul for the campaign is four places and nine points below where Saints finished last season – an 11th-placed return with 52 points in total.
Asked whether some of his players’ performances meant they had played their way out of his plans for the summer, Hasenhuttl replied: “Yeah, a clear reality check for everybody and I can tell you the next season will not be the easiest in the league.”
Saints signed off for the summer with a 3-0 defeat to West Ham at London Stadium.
The Hampshire outfit were by far second best and undone by a Pablo Fornals brace, as well as a late goal from Declan Rice.
Hasenhuttl added: “Congrats to West Ham. They deserved to win and we saw the difference between these two teams.
“Between box to box we were on one level but in and around the box they were in position one - this was the big difference.
“This is the reason why we play Europa League and we are safe in the league and that is it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel