Former Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle has backed Danny Ings to resume a prolonged scoring run after his goal in the Saints 2-0 FA Cup victory over Wolves on Thursday.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a fine season thus far for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, scoring eight goals and notching three assists this season in just 20 appearances, although injury has interrupted his momentum at times.
In truth, Ings needed some luck to get back among the goals. The ball ricocheted into the net after an initial save from Wolves’ John Ruddy before trickling over the line to break the deadlock at Molineux.
Regardless, Saints fans and Ings alike will be glad to see his name back on the scoresheet. Prior to Thursday evening, he last found the net back on 4 January against his former club Liverpool in a shock 1-0 victory over the reigning Premier League champions.
Having also scored for England four months ago, Hoddle backed the Saints talisman to rediscover his scoring touch, saying on BT Sport [via Hampshire Live]: “It just shows you, you get that little bit of luck that every forward needs.
“He will go on another run now, no doubt, because he is a good forward. He’ll be smiling on the way back to Southampton now.”
Hoddle, who has managed both the Saints and Wolves in the past, felt that Hasenhuttl’s men were deserving victors at Molineux, saying: “Southampton deserved the win, they took the game to Wolves and they got their just rewards tonight.”
Read Southampton Verdict
Ings’ return from injury, accompanied by the likes of Mohammed Salisu and Kyle Walker-Peters, means that Hasenhuttl’s side are finally getting back some key personnel.
No longer starved of his preferred options, the Austrian stands an improved chance of steering his side back to winning ways in the league. As Hoddle has suggested, Ings’ role in that push could be crucial.
