Ralph Hasenhuttl explained his decision to start Moussa Djenepo as a left wing-back against Sheffield United on Saturday following the match.
The manager saw his side come away with a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane, with the Mali international netting the decisive goal in fine fashion after he moved into a more attacking position as the game wore on.
Hasenhuttl’s decision to start Djenepo – a natural winger – in the defensive role of left wing-back came as a surprise, especially with Ryan Bertrand now fully fit and available for selection.
However, the Austrian explained his decision to The Daily Echo in his post-match interview and discussed the rationale behind the bold selection call. He said:
I tried to have a right footer on the left side to come inside and create and go into the red zone.
Moussa showed against Liverpool in the last ten minutes that he can play this position in an offensive way but it was sure a risk but I wanted to take this risk.
When you have a few players who are flexible and you can change without taking a substitution then this is a team you can work with. Cedric went on the other side and Prowsey on the right and I knew before I could change this and if it doesn’t work we can do it like this. Then it’s a flexible and variable team.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Djenepo was definitely better when his defensive duties were less pressing, and it was no real surprise. After all, we have seen just how explosive he can be in the final third, and his goal reflected his abilities.
Hasenhuttl clearly values his willingness to put in a shift at the other end of the pitch, though, and was evidently happy to overlook Bertrand yet again for a less-orthodox fit on the left-hand side.
The 30-year-old’s continuous absence has been rather peculiar. Hasenhuttl has preferred Djenepo, Cedric Soares and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as left-back options instead of the England international, who regularly captained the team throughout last season.
Bertrand’s exclusion does seem odd, and perhaps it’s down to more than tactical reasons alone. Either way, Djenepo’s inclusion at left wing-back will provide yet more food for thought for the defender, whose position at St Mary’s is becoming increasingly scrutinised…
