A number of Southampton fans have been vexed by a revelation from Ralph Hasenhuttl that Jannik Vestergaard had taken part in just one training session before being brought back into the team against Newcastle at the weekend.
The Danish defender was thrown straight back into the starting line-up by Hasenhutll for the 3-2 defeat on Saturday, with Jack Stephens moving to right-back as the Saints looked to find the right solution to cover the injured Kyle Walker-Peters. However, those changes couldn’t help them avoid a fifth successive Premier League defeat on another frustrating afternoon.
Southampton had been missing the reliable presence of Vestergaard at the heart of their defence as he missed seven Premier League matches with a knee injury. His quality on the ball had been a real loss for them in terms of their build-up play, and he was heavily involved on his return after having 89 touches, but there was some rustiness at play as he lost possession 21 times (Sofascore).
Speaking to the Southern Daily Echo, Hasenhuttl revealed that the defender’s return to action had come despite him taking part in just training session. The manager also felt that the 28-year-old had performed well against Newcastle in the circumstances, saying:
Jannik is back. I think he had one session yesterday (Friday) and that’s it. After four weeks – the first time on the ball yesterday (Friday), then playing in a Premier League game.
It’s not the easiest thing but for this, I think he did a good job.
Saints fans react to Hasenhuttl’s admission about Vestergaard
Some Southampton fans weren’t impressed by Hasenhuttl’s admission about Vestergaard having just the one training session under his belt, suggesting that the defender’s lack of practice was evident in the defeat at St James’ Park on Saturday.
It showed his passing was very poor, he gave the ball away the most and created unnecessary pressure for rest of back four.
— Ian Clark (@ezzerclark) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheTrueFraudie/status/1358385109968293889?s=19
Kind of shows you how desperately we need him that he'd risk him with so little practice.
— Sarah (@StillNotWitty) February 7, 2021
Wasn’t the issue it was Stephens at RB
— Brandan Poole (@brandanpoole) February 7, 2021
Bit embarrassing for Jan and Jack.
— James (@Jamesjimwoo) February 7, 2021
And he was one of the best players on the match
— Gustavo Pereira (@Gustavotfp) February 7, 2021
Thought he did well. Lets get those 60 yard diagonal balls going now
— Barry Doyle (@Saint_Barry) February 7, 2021
