A month or so ago Ralph Hasenhuttl said it was very important to bring in new blood in January, now after 4 wins in the last 5 Premier League games he admits that the pressure to do so is no longer as critical.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the game against Wolves he said.

“It’s not long ago that I said it’s important to bring somebody in, but the way the team has played in the last weeks, I wouldn’t say it’s changed my mind, but we have to be very careful with what we do.

“We have to think about how we do it because I think the team deserves credit for the very good job they are doing.

“Also, the young guys who we gave a chance to in the FA Cup showed that their development has gone quicker than we thought.

“If we bring somebody in, then we must be sure it won’t block their development because this is the main way we want to go in Southampton. We want to develop the young players.

“We don’t do anything just because we have to do something. When we want to bring a player in then it really has to make sense."

Although some will say that this is the club holding on to it's money again, the truth is what Ralph says makes sense, the January window is never a good time to spend money because it is panic buying and therefore most players are overpriced.

The good thing is that Saints are under no pressure to buy, that is unless they suddenly have a blip and if they lose the next two they have time to reconsider their position.

As the manager says it now gives the club time to look at the options they have and where they need to improve and get in players that will actually make a difference in the long term.

Two years ago we panic bought Guido Carrillo and it did little for us except drain the finances.

Photo: Action Images

codge added 18:01 - Jan 16 Had a feeling we might see this coming as soon as things turned around.Still believe we need to sign central defender and at least a right back.
11

WestSussexSaint added 18:35 - Jan 16 I actually think Ralph is referring to the full back positions. He was on record at the start of this window that we needed to address the lack of cover in the position and the two youngsters who played in the cup had good games. I was worried that the upturn in form might paper over the cracks so I agree with codge that we still need a centre back as we are one injury or loss of form to Stephens or Bednarek and it will be back to square one.

8

sandywelsh added 18:38 - Jan 16 Big risk if we don't sign any new players. We have been very lucky with injuries so far this season. What would we do if we got as many as Bournemouth? We don't have any good cover in many positions.
5

the_saint added 19:07 - Jan 16 All season the centre backs have been slated by now after a purple patch everything is rosey in the cb department.
1

saint22 added 19:38 - Jan 16 this is ridiculous we need quality and depth if we want to progress, just because we are going well why not capitalise on that and ensure we keep going well until the end of the season any injuries will slam the brakes on that if the cover isn't up to scratch which as we know right now at the back it is NOT
5

underweststand added 09:57 - Jan 17 Ralph is gambling on our excellent form and the encouraging performances shown by Academy starlets like Obafemi, Vokins and Smallbone ..(and Slattery hasn't had a start yet, either). That's alright providing we continue to win and avoid serious injuries. Previous posts about our new CB pairing have overloaded this site in recent weeks (not without good reason) but it's also clear that Hoedt, Vestergaard and Yoshida are not likely to get back into Ralph's starting line-ups , so that good CB cover is essential as the regular U23's lads; Thomas O'Connor, Alfie Jones and Christoph Klarer are all out on loan. The team's confidence must be sky high just now, but no-one wants to look over their shoulder with the threat of a new name coming in to replace them, however I do expect at least one CB signing, and maybe even a full back(?). With Armstrong and Djenepo in the frame more often there's good cover in midfield - and Ché Adams will begin scoring - sooner or later...and we may see him return to form after what is obviously a classic case of the "Striker's Drought ". The young James Beattie once started a season with 10 blank games before ending up second to Thierry Henry at season's end, and not so long ago (under Koeman) both Pelle and Mane went a dozen games without scoring) ..sh*t happens, but was soon forgotten when they hit form again. Hopefully we will continue winning on Saturday - even if it is at SMS .(!)..and just how good we have become will be seen in the next Cup game (when we can see how Spurs react) - and in defeat - what excuses Jose Moan-inho uses this time.... but the real test of our recovery will come in the game at Anfield. .. Let's hope Ralph gets it right ...and concentrate on ONE game at a time.

1

LoisDeem added 10:18 - Jan 17 (With some Optimism): The message that many are echoing is that we are not (as) desperate to buy (as we were in 2019). Hopefully, this stops the price inflating just because we are looking, and Ralph will get quality in (not 'square peg' quantity) to properly fit our 'round holes' in the squad. The downside of this common sense shrewd and frugal policy is that we may attract more desperate buyers (and there are plenty) with a less efficient (or lazy) recruitment policy to our potential targets, which obviously drives the price up or us away. The sooner we regain this reputation the better. Believe it or not, there are more clubs in the EPL with extravagant deadwood lying around their training grounds, benches or on loan than can be viewed at St Mary's and Marchwood. My tea leaves still predict one or two in with the correct prevailing wind -and definitely on our terms -so what's wrong with that?

2

SaintPaulVW added 11:51 - Jan 17 I think we will only buy if we sell someone. So unless Hoedt, JV or Yoshi go in this window I don't see any additions. Cedric sounds like he would be open to a new contract. Perhaps that's why he is in such good form at the moment. So I can't see any replacements arriving for FB yet. As far as CB's go, not too sure where Danso fits in to our plans. Is he really not rated by Ralph? also are we committed to purchase him this year regardless?

2

landerwal added 12:22 - Jan 17 I think the phrase "no panic buying" is the most relevant. The last couple of seasons there have been transfers in during January that have left us with bigger wage bill and nothing on the field to show for it. Leicester are rumoured to be after Bertrand so perhaps that is why RH only seems concerned with cover for that position. .
1

LoisDeem added 13:42 - Jan 17 Whilst our predominantly younger squad appears to be improving as one, I hope any rumours about our more experienced players like Bertrand our unfounded, as they do make little sense, and are more integral to this overall improvement, integrity and strength as ever.
0

BoondockSaint added 15:17 - Jan 17 You could see this coming once Saints won a game or two (we've seen this film before). Another couple of wins in the next few weeks, and the headline will be: "Ralph Is Satisfied With The Squad He Has & Will Look To Strengthen It In The Summer Window." Let's just hope it's a negotiating tactic, a hint to agents that he won't overpay.
6

Blogs 31 bloggers

Derby County Polls