Newcastle United head to Southampton on Thursday hoping to maintain their unbeaten Premier League start to 2022. In the latest episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast, we get the view from the opposition.
Andrew Musgrove is joined by Robert Warlow who covers Southampton for Hampshire Live. The pair preview the clash, which was originally due to take place on January 2 but was postponed for COVID-19 reasons.
Both sides have been in good form lately with Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl nominated for February manager of the month alongside Toon coach Eddie Howe. Southampton lost to Aston Villa last weekend while United continued their unbeaten run with a victory over Brighton.
Hasenhüttl’s comments regarding the postponement of the game raised a few eyebrows, when he appeared to suggest United should not be allowed to play the game with any of their new January additions. As it were, United went on to sign five players.
Hasenhüttl was asked about those comments in his pre-match press conference. Sharing his thoughts on those comments, Saints reporter Robert told the podcast : “I don’t think they’ve [his thoughts] necessarily changed in terms of his stance.
“He basically said ‘it is what it is’ and I don’t think that he ever thought a change would be brought in and those new signings wouldn’t play. I think a lot more was made of it at the time.
“He was asked a question, he gave an answer. When he said it back in January, he did say it applies if Southampton were to buy any players - which they didn’t but I think his point was more general.
“If teams can play their new signings when games are rearranged, there were a spate of postponements at the time and he was raising the point that a few managers agreed that there would be the potential to strengthen and it would be a different story whenever the games were rescheduled.
“He has said that Southampton are in a much better position than they were when the game was originally going to be played. I don’t think he’s necessarily too bothered about it now.”
Out of those who signed for Newcastle back in January, Kieran Trippier will be missing, while Bruno Guimaraes has yet to start a game since his move from Lyon. Matt Targett and Dan Burn have impressed and both are likely to start, as is Chris Wood who is still searching for his first goal for the club.
You can listen to the full episode of The View from St Mary’s via The Everything is Black and White Podcast by clicking here . This will take you through to your podcast provider.
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