RALPH Hasenhuttl credited Lyanco for a “very important” contribution as he came off the bench to help Saints seal a 1-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.

The 25-year-old defender has had to be patient for Premier League chances and even more so after the deadline day signing of Duje Caleta-Car.

Lyanco has seen his role reduced to that of a substitute destroyer to see out games when Saints are leading in the closing stages.

He was stripped and ready to come on with Saints ahead during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United but had to sit back down and watch as Hasenhuttl made four different changes after Declan Rice’s equaliser.

The Austrian wasted no time in getting Lyanco on with a slender lead at Vitality Stadium, who impressed as they recorded a first clean sheet of the campaign.

“I think it was very important to get a little pressure on the wingers because we were a little bit late in some moments and then they could cross,” Hasenhuttl explained.

“It’s always dangerous when you get too many balls in the box and this is what we tried to avoid.

“We still need to win the balls in this area and play out of this pressure and this is what we didn’t do all the time.”

Supporters watched on with nerves jangling as Saints took a defensive approach to the final half-hour, inviting pressure on from the six-match unbeaten home side.

“But after a few substitutes we made this better in the second half,” Hasenhuttl added. “We did this in a very good way and this is why we didn’t come under pressure and controlled the game.”

Former Torino man Lyanco, who was a regular for Brazil’s under-23s and has now registered 23 appearances at Saints, surprised with an elegant bit of skill to beat Bournemouth’s Siriki Dembele in his own half.

However, the Austrian claimed he was one of those inside the ground not surprised to see brutish defender Lyanco’s ball-carrying ability.

He said: “I know that he can do this!

“For me, the first action he was a little bit too aggressive defending out but it’s important he’s in this role and on the right side he’s defensively strong.

“He’s good one against one, and with the ball he has the qualities to be patient and calm. I think everybody showed this quality today and it was very important.” 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook