'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

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'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

Former Leicester City and Southampton midfielder Dean Hammond believes Saturday's clash will be an encounter of 'two attacking and exciting teams' at King Power Stadium (8pm kick-off).

2021-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

by Sam Stevens

Published

16 Jan, 2021

'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

Former Leicester City and Southampton midfielder Dean Hammond believes Saturday's clash will be an encounter of 'two attacking and exciting teams' at King Power Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Sam Stevens

2021-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

Former Leicester City and Southampton midfielder Dean Hammond believes Saturday's clash will be an encounter of 'two attacking and exciting teams' at King Power Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Sam Stevens

2021-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

Former Leicester City and Southampton midfielder Dean Hammond believes Saturday's clash will be an encounter of 'two attacking and exciting teams' at King Power Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Sam Stevens

2021-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

'Hasenhüttl Has Given Southampton An Identity'

Former Leicester City and Southampton midfielder Dean Hammond believes Saturday's clash will be an encounter of 'two attacking and exciting teams' at King Power Stadium (8pm kick-off).

Sam Stevens

2021-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

- Leicester City entertain Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday (8pm kick-off)- The Foxes are fourth in the Premier League, while Ralph Hasenhüttl's Saints sit in seventh place- Dean Hammond is excited to see the two sides come head-to-head at King Power Stadium- Danny Ings, James Ward-Prowse and Theo Walcott are picked out for specific praise by Hammond

While the Foxes have received much acclaim this season for their attacking performances, the Saints, too, have earned plaudits and sit just three points adrift of fourth-placed City.

Hammond, who made almost 200 appearances combined for the two clubs, will be watching on with intrigue on Saturday, expecting an exciting encounter on Filbert Way.

"It’s two attacking and exciting teams that like to play on the front foot with a high intensity," the 37-year-old told LCFC TV's Matchday Live programme, set to to start at 6:30pm on Saturday.

"There’s a lot of creative players in both teams, so I think it will be an exciting game and good for the spectators because both teams will try to win it.

"Both teams are sitting in a good position in the league, Leicester are fourth and Southampton are seventh, so it should be a really interesting contest."

The work conducted by Ralph Hasenhüttl at St. Mary's Stadium has endeared the Austrian manager to the south coast club's supporters - and Hammond himself - over recent seasons.

"The fans love him and he loves the football club," he explained. "There’s a real connection between the fans and him. He’s given the club a philosophy and an identity.

"The way the team’s playing, without fear, they take a lot of risks. They try to win games and there’s a real affinity between the players, the fans and the manager. They love him.

"He’s brought back the old traditions of the football club, in terms of bringing younger players into the team, trying to score goals, so it’s brilliant. They’ve had a fantastic season so far."

Southampton's supporters are beginning to believe again, Hammond believes, as the Saints challenge at the upper end of the Premier League table after flirting with relegation in previous years.

"They appreciate good, attacking football," Hammond added. "They want to score goals. Southampton fans are intelligent and realistic fans, they know the club’s not going to win the league.

"But to see the team in European positions, being in the top half of the division, competing against the bigger teams, like beating Liverpool, the fans love to see that.

"The way the team’s playing with attacking football, they’ve been very entertained this season."

While Danny Ings could miss Saturday's visit to Leicester, Hammond was keen to outline his qualities, while also picking out two other Saints players who could pose a threat on Filbert Way.

"The main threat is Danny Ings, he brings that quality and that ruthless finishing," he continued. "He’s having a really, really good season, despite a few injury problems.

"James Ward-Prowse has been made the captain of the football club and that extra responsibility has made him a better plater, I believe.

"His set piece delivery is fantastic, whether he’s trying to cross the ball or shoot at goal, so he’s a danger man. There’s many players within the team to be honest.

"Theo Walcott’s come back into some really good form. That’s been a really good signing by the club. He’s come back and found his love for the game again.

"He’s got lots of energy, he’s nice and direct, he looks quick again, so it’s a really good team, but the standout players would be those three."

All times GMT.

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